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Willie Eldon O'Ree

Willie Eldon O'Ree was born on October 15, 1935 in Fredericton, NB Canada. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Willie Eldon O'Ree.

Willie Eldon O'Ree

October 15, 1935

Fredericton, NB, Canada

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Willie Eldon O'Ree Willie O'Ree (born 1935)

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Willie Eldon O'Ree's History: 1935

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Introduction

A Canadian professional ice hockey player, Willie was the first black player in the NHL. He is often referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of ice hockey" since he broke the color barrier for the sport. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November of 2018. He is quoted as saying that ""racist remarks were much worse in the U.S. cities than in Toronto and Montreal," the two Canadian cities hosting NHL teams at the time, and that "Fans would yell, 'Go back to the South' and 'How come you're not picking cotton?' Things like that. It didn't bother me. I just wanted to be a hockey player, and if they couldn't accept that fact, that was their problem, not mine."
10/15

1935

Birthday

October 15, 1935

Birthdate

Fredericton, NB Canada

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Black
Nationality & Locations

Canadian
Professional Career

Professional hockey - Boston Bruins WHL - Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls
Alive

Living status

Alive

Living status
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Memories

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