Top 5 Most Influential People in the NHL: Willie O'Ree

Willie O’Ree might not have had a long career in the NHL but its impact is still being felt today. O’Ree was the first Black player to play in the NHL. In January 1958, the Boston Bruins brought O’Ree on to their roster. He was taunted by fans, but never allowed their rude and racist remarks to get to him. He simply wanted to play the game he loved. He spent the majority of his career in the minor leagues and the WHL and played until he was 43. In 1998, the NHL asked O’Ree to come on as the Diversity Ambassador. He travels across the country to talk about hockey with young children and to help spread inclusion and diversity to the game.

For all of his work throughout his lifetime, O’Ree has been given many honors including being inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 as a builder. That same year, the NHL also dedicated an award to O’Ree as the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award which is awarded to the person who best utilizes hockey for a platform for participants to build character and develop important life skills for a more positive family experience. Many players have been inspired by O’Ree including Joel Ward who told ESPN in 2016 that O’Ree was one of his inspirations to play professional hockey. He also stated the NHL should retire number 22 league wide just as the MLB did with number 42 with Jackie Robinson.

Now at age 84, O’Ree is still working hard to diversify the game. Not only does he inspire current NHL players, but the next generation as well. In 2017, NHL Commissioner Gary Betteman stated about O’Ree “Willie O’Ree has devoted his life to our sport and our young people, to diversity and inclusion. His words of encouragement, and the life lessons he has taught, have inspired thousands not only to play hockey but to incorporate our game’s values and ideals into their lives. We marvel at Willie’s strength and his courage, at his willingness to blaze a trail for future generations of players, and we are honored by his continuing presence as a role model, mentor and ambassador for our sport.” While the league has a long way to go to become a truly inclusive and diverse sport, people like O’Ree have left a foundation that future generations can build on for years to come.