There were so few black players playing hockey at that time. Thomas Greiss makes 19 saves, and New York gets third-period goals by Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck. On the same night, the Bruins defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 11-0 at Boston Garden for the biggest shutout win in their history. The NHL has updated its Privacy Policy effective January 16, 2020. "You never forget your first one.". O'Ree, who was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 as a "builder," has been the NHL's diversity ambassador since 1998. The goal was the first scored by a black player in NHL history, by the first black player in NHL history. But he returns in 1960-61, scoring four goals and 14 points in 43 games. Although the first of his four career goals stood out to O'Ree, so did the fights. Of course, in Montreal, they love their athletes." He is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. Yzerman breaks Mario Lemieux's record during Detroit's 6-1 road loss to the Calgary Flames. "The color of a person's skin was never an issue in hockey. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, NHL Mascots, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, NHL Power Players name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. The NHL uses cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2019. Dean Prentice scores three goals and assists on three more, and Andy Hebenton has his third NHL hat trick and an assist. By using NHL websites or other online services, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, including our Cookie Policy. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, NHL Mascots, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, NHL Power Players name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. It's the 95th shutout for Sawchuk, moving him past George Hainsworth. But my guess is that most kids don’t know about Willie O’Ree. Guys were taking shots at my head, and I always tried to protect myself.". O'Ree plays on a line with Don McKenney and Jerry Toppazzini but is kept off the scoresheet in Boston's 3-0 victory. O'Ree wouldn't single out any favorites among today's hockey players, but he did mention Jarome Iginla as one he enjoyed watching.

He lost vision in his right eye when he was struck there by a puck a couple of years before he reached the NHL.

2019: The Islanders make coach Barry Trotz's return to Washington for the first time since guiding the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship the previous June a happy one with a 2-0 victory at Capital One Arena. "I've met so many wonderful boys and girls over the years. Willie was just a hockey player to us. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Добро пожаловать на NHL.com, официальный сайт Национальной хоккейной лиги, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Välkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League, "He was just a fast skater and I remember he was very happy to have made it to the NHL, like all kids were at that time. Willie O’Ree, byname of William O’Ree, (born October 15, 1935, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada), the first black hockey player to play in a National Hockey League (NHL) game.