O'Ree, who broke the National Hockey League's color barrier in 1958, is the 12th Boston Bruins player to have his jersey hang in the rafters at TD Garden.
O Ree Taking His Rightful Place in Garden Rafters
NHL s first Black player will become 12th Bruin to have his number retired by Eric Russo @erusso22 / BostonBruins.com
BostonBruins.com - For decades, Willie O Ree was without one of his most prized hockey possessions. Almost 60 years after he suited up for the Bruins, he had yet to track down one of his game-worn Spoked-B sweaters.
That changed unexpectedly in January 2018.
As the Bruins and NHL celebrated the 60
th anniversary of O Ree becoming the league s first Black player, he was invited to Boston for a number of celebrations that included the dedication of a street hockey rink bearing his name and a pregame ceremony at TD Garden.