14

Willie as a Boston Bruin
1960

Credits:
Collection of the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

15

Boston called again in December 1960. They wanted Willie back for good. "Just bring your skates."

The media made no particular note of it. In fact, very few black people even went to games in those days. Willie tried to change that by passing out tickets to his family and friends in the Boston area.

16

The Montreal Forum
1923 to 1996
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
website: hockey.ballparks.com

17

In a game against Montreal in January of 1961, the Bruins led 2-1 in the third period. Willie received a pass and raced for the net. He sped by Montreal defenseman, Jean-Guy Talbot. Tom Johnson, a Canadien, swept in, but Willie was suddenly all alone in front of Canadiens goalie, Charlie Hodge. Willie shot low. "I let the puck rip along the ice," low where the goalie has only his stick to stop it. "Bang!

18

First NHL Goal
31 December 1960
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Outreach Productions, Fredericton, NB
NB Film Co-op, Echoes in the Rink: The Willie O'Ree Story
Collection of the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

19

The red light was on, and thousands of people were cheering and he received a two minute standing ovation ….It was my first NHL goal." Willie fished the puck out of the net. He still has it.

20

Headline - O'Ree's First Goal
1 January 1960
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

Credits:
Telegraph-Journal

21

During Willie's last season with the Bruins (1960 - 1961) another New Brunswick native was on his team and on the same line as he. Gerald "Red" Ouellette, of Grand Falls NB, would play 34 games as a member of the Boston Bruins.

22

Gerald "Red" Ouellette and Willie O'Ree
1960 to 1961

Credits:
Collection of the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame

23

Willie scored 28 goals his first season with the Blades, and had 26 assists. Things looked even better in 1967. That year Los Angeles was given an NHL franchise. The Kings were coming to L.A., and Willie planned to be part of them. Expecting a call from the NHL, Willie instead received one from Max McNab, General Manager of the San Diego Gulls.

24

Cartoon of Willie as a Los Angeles Blade
1966

Credits:
Collection of the New Brunswick Sports Hal of Fame

25

As the director of the NHL/USA Hockey's Diversity Task Force Willie is still helping minority kids to find their way to the hockey rink.

26

Willie Helping with Hockey Equipment
c. 1998

Credits:
NB Film Co-op, Echoes in the Rink: The Willie O'Ree Story
D. Stoddard

27

Willie O'Ree was inducted in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.

In April of 1992, his number 20 was retired by the San Diego Gulls and, in May, he received an Honourary degree from Saint Thomas University, Doctor of Laws (honoris causa).

He was also elected to the Fredericton Sports Wall of Fame in 1992.