Willie O'Ree's impact on the game of hockey as the first Black player to play in the NHL, as well as for his subsequent efforts to build the game in his post-playing career, has been profound.
In Pittsburgh, the Penguins are launching a new initiative to support Black youth hockey players, and they’re naming it in O’Ree’s honour. The Willie O’Ree Academy is a free program that will support local Black hockey players with training and mentorship, sharing O’Ree’s ultimate goal of improving diversity in the game.
It’s great to see that NHL teams continue to pay it forward and build the game, while also paying homage to the significant role that O’Ree played in paving the way.
Throughout Black History Month, players around the league will wear commemorative Bauer skates that honour O’Ree. Those skates will later be auctioned with the benefits going towards Black Girl Hockey Club, and Patrick Kane became the first player to debut the skates on ice during Blackhawks warm-ups on Wednesday.
