Boston Bruins retiring Willie O’Ree’s number: NHL’s first Black player to be honored on Feb. 18 Updated Jan 12, 2021; Posted Jan 12, 2021 MONTREAL - JANUARY 25: Willie O Ree attends the NHL All Star Game at Bell Centre on January 25, 2009 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images for NHL) Facebook Share Willie O’Ree, the first Black player to appear in an NHL game will have his Boston Bruins No. 22 retired next month. O’Ree, who broke the sport’s color barrier in 1958, will be honored before Boston’s Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. O’Ree is being honored for his contributions to the sports during and after his career. He played just 45 games in his NHL career. He had 14 goals in 43 games during the 1960-61 season. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 2018 in the “Builder” category.
Patrice th captain of the Boston Bruins. “To be Captain of an Original Six franchise is an honor, and a role that comes with much responsibility to his teammates and the fans,” said Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs. “There is no doubt in my mind that Patrice is the natural successor to the Captain role, and he will represent this franchise very well. He has consistently and reliably contributed to this team’s advancement and has been an adept leader for many years, both on and off the ice. His tenure as Captain will be one of great success.” “Throughout Patrice Bergeron’s historic career with the Boston Bruins, he has carried himself with great integrity, humility and resiliency,” said Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs, “These qualities make Patrice a natural leader and an obvious choice as to who should serve as the next Captain of the Boston Bruins. We are incredibly proud to have Patrice fill this important role and look forward to watching him lead the locker room this season and beyond.”