Bruins retiring sweater #22 to honor Willie O'Ree

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

O'Ree humbled, honored Bruins will retire jersey

Willie O'Ree, 86, who broke the NHL's color barrier in 1958 with Boston and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, will have his No. 22 jersey retired by the Bruins on Tuesday night at TD Garden, an honor he calls "simply amazing."

www.espn.com

Willie O'Ree - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[forty_three]

The guy who runs the hockey program I coach for has become pretty good friends with Willie and is in Boston tonight as his guest. I've met Willie a few times and I am not sure I've met anyone who is more decent and down to earth. Such a good human being.

So glad this is finally happening.

 

[forty_three]

Nice. The Bruins are all wearing number 22 for warmups.

So are all the Canes.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Nice. The Bruins are all wearing number 22 for warmups.

So are all the Canes.

Yep...that's awesome.....and I was just gonna post that....so thanks.

But now I'll post this instead....

'We will never let his name die': How NHL players have been inspired by Willie O'Ree

As the Bruins retire O'Ree's No. 22, we spoke to people he has inspired with his story who are continuing to work to make sure hockey truly is for everyone.

www.espn.com

 

[forty_three]

Quick story; When they did those skates his HoF year with Willie's number and face on them - the ones that one player on each team wore and were auctioned off. I asked John (Program Director) that summer if he got a pair. He laughed. Seems he saw an interview with Willie from his home and saw his pair of the skates on the shelf behind Willie. John said the next time he talked to him he said "Hey I know you don't skate much anymore, so you won't be needing those skates". Said Willie just laughed at him.

2 weeks later a box showed up on John's doorstep, inside was a pair of the skates. With a note from Willie "John, I've seen you skate, so these may go to waste with you too!". Willie called the NHL and had them make a set for John.

 

[dash]

 

[forty_three]

John just texted us coaches a picture from a skybox in Boston with a bunch of the program directors for the HIFE programs from around the NHL with the banner going up behind them.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

What better way to honor O'Ree than by gettin' blasted by the Canes

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

What better way to honor O'Ree than by gettin' blasted by the Canes

Well tbh...the game tonight is merely a side story....

....but I digress.



There's still another 20 min to go.
If they can capitalize on a couple of PP's in the 3rd, they'd be right back in it.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Oh well...would've been perfect if the game had ended in a 2-2 tie.

 

[dash]

Oh well...would've been perfect if the game had ended in a 2-2 tie.

You said it - Take us back to the pre-Bettman days.

 

[forty_three]

More great news for Willie

O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal bill passed by House of Representatives | NHL.com

Bipartisan vote final legislative act to award highest honor to first Black player in NHL

www.nhl.com

 

[Cyder]

I was so happy to hear they were doing this and even happier that it happened while he was still with us to enjoy it.

 

[forty_three]

Willie O'Ree is the guest on the Daily Show on Comedy Central in the next few minutes.