Bruins, Retire Willie O'Ree
He's known as the Jackie Robinson of hockey. Willie Eldon O'Ree became the first African-American player in the NHL when the Boston Bruins called him up in 1958, 11 years after Robinson integrated Major League Baseball.
O'Ree didn't have a hall of fame-caliber career like Robinson did, but the relevance of O'Ree breaking the color barrier should be celebrated.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is doing so, inducting him this November as a contributor for his role as the NHL diversity ambassador, promoting the sport to people of all backgrounds.
While the Bruins have honored O'Ree in the past, and will likely celebrate his induction this season, Boston should acknowledge O'Ree making history with the franchise with a permanent memento:
