Momentum growing in effort to get Willie O’Ree into Hockey Hall of Fame
FREDERICTON — There’s growing momentum in a push by friends and fans of Willie O’Ree to have the groundbreaking hockey player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
In January, ceremonies were held to mark the 60th anniversary of when O’Ree stepped onto the ice as a member of the Boston Bruins, becoming the first black player in the National Hockey League.
Brenda Samson, a friend in O’Ree’s hometown of Frederic ton, said the anniversary sparked the effort to see O’Reye inducted into the Hall of Fame as a builder.
“I think the idea originated with all the celebrations taking place in Boston. There was a lot of press coverage,” she said.