It usually passes under the radar of famous firsts, but on January 18, 1958, Willie O’Ree of Fredericton, New Brunswick and the Boston Bruins overcame the “behind closed doors” racism of his sport to become the first black NHL player.
Tag: willie o’ree
I went into some buildings and you heard the boos and the racial remarks but that kinda geared me up. I was called the N-word so many times that I thought it was a compliment, you know (laughs) So I just went out and played. […] They had never seen a black man on the ice. I just told myself: “Just go out and play and try to represent the hockey club at the best of your ability. And if the fans can’t see that then don’t worry about it.” I am a black man. I know when I look in the mirror that I am a black man. Nobody needs to tell me that.
— Willie O’Ree, who became in 1958 the first black player in the National Hockey League
Steel Phoenix Studios 