Bruins retiring jersey of NHL barrier breaker Willie O’Ree
FILE – In this March 25, 2003, file photo, Willie O’Ree, the NHL’s first black player and current NHL director of youth development is seen prior to being presented with the 2003 Lester Patrick Award, in Boston. The Boston Bruins say they are retiring the jersey of Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier. O’Ree will have his jersey honored prior to the Bruins’ Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. He became the league’s first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye. AP Photo/Patricia McDonnell, File
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BOSTON (AP) — Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier, is set to have his jersey retired by the Boston Bruins.
O’Ree will have his No. 22 jersey honored prior to the Bruins’ Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils, the team announced Tuesday.
He became the league’s first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958, against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye. O’Ree played two seasons for the Bruins, retiring from professional hockey in 1979.
FILE – In this Nov. 23, 1960, file photo, 25-year-old left wing Willie O’Ree, the first black player of the National Hockey League, warms up in his Boston Bruins uniform prior to a game against the New York Rangers at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Boston Bruins say they are retiring the jersey of Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier. O’Ree will have his jersey honored prior to the Bruins’ Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. He became the league’s first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye. (AP Photo/File) 
FILE – In this Jan. 19, 2008, file photo, former Boston Bruins hockey player Willie O’Ree waves to the crowd in Boston after being honored on the 50th anniversary of breaking the color barrier in the NHL after the first period of the Bruins hockey game against the New York Rangers in Boston. Looking on is Bruins legend John Bucyk. The Boston Bruins say they are retiring the jersey of Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier. O’Ree will have his jersey honored prior to the Bruins’ Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. He became the league’s first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye.(AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File) 
FILE – Willie O’Ree, the first black player to compete in the NHL, arrives for a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this July 25, 2019, file photo. The Boston Bruins say they are retiring the jersey of Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier. O’Ree will have his jersey honored prior to the Bruins’ Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. He became the league’s first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
He also donned No. 18 and No. 25 during his time with the Bruins but wore number 22 in the bulk of his games with the club.
O’Ree, 85, becomes the 12th player in team history to have a sweater hung in the TD Garden rafters.
“Willie’s contributions to the game of hockey transcend on-ice accomplishments and have opened countless doors for players who have come after him. He is without question deserving of this honor,” Bruins president Cam Neely said in a statement.
O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2018 as part of the “Builder” category, which honors those who have made significant contributions to the sport.
He played 45 games in his NHL career for the Bruins, notching four goals and 10 assists.
Since 1998, O’Ree has worked for the NHL as a diversity ambassador.
