Willie O'Ree: The Story of the First Black Player in the NHL - Paperback

by Nicole Mortillaro (Author)

Willie O'Ree made NHL history on January 18, 1958, when he became the first Black player to take to the ice. There was a round of applause when O'Ree stepped onto the ice, and newspapers ran the story. The color barrier in the NHL had been broken, yet it would be sixteen years before the next Black player, Mike Marson, was drafted. Four decades later, the NHL made O'Ree an ambassador for the NHL's "Hockey is for Everyone" program to encourage kids from all backgrounds to play hockey.

This book traces the early life of O'Ree, his journey in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, and his work encouraging diversity in hockey.

Author Biography

NICOLE MORTILLARO is the author of several hockey books for children, including the Recordbooks Something to Prove and Jarome Iginla. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.