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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1823
Location: Ottawa, ON
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 Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: Willie O'Ree - 50 years later |
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http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227447&hubname=nhl
| TSN wrote: |
General manager Lynn Patrick and coach Milt Schmidt briefed him before the game. It was Jan. 18, 1958.
"They said, `Willie, you're going to be the first of your race to play in the NHL,"' O'Ree recalls. "They said, `We've seen you play and we feel you can add something to our club. Keep in mind that the Bruins organization is behind you 100 per cent and if you go on the ice and hear any racial remarks don't let it affect your game."'
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| TSN wrote: |
O'Ree was to be honoured Wednesday in Fredericton where an arena will officially be known as 'Willie O'Ree Place'.
"I'm thrilled," he said from New Brunswick's capital during a telephone interview. "When I was contacted and found out the rink was going to be dedicated in my honour, my goodness, I was a little lost for words.
"I'm very proud."
It's on to Boston where the Bruins are hosts for `Willie O'Ree Night' when they face the New York Rangers on Saturday.
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Article says the Hab fans left him alone during his NHL debut... actually surprises me a fair bit, given the era. Good on them.
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US679 Part Deux
An improvement over the US678 prototype
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 520
Location: Milton, Ontario
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Willie O'Ree - 50 years later |
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| Jyrki21 wrote: |
| Article says the Hab fans left him alone during his NHL debut... actually surprises me a fair bit, given the era. Good on them. |
Why does that surprise you? Montreal was the first with Jackie Robinson when he broke the colour barrier, and O'Ree, was already playing for the Quebec Aces, which Montreal fans had already seen him play.
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1823
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Willie O'Ree - 50 years later |
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| US679 Part Deux wrote: |
| Why does that surprise you? Montreal was the first with Jackie Robinson when he broke the colour barrier, and O'Ree, was already playing for the Quebec Aces, which Montreal fans had already seen him play. |
I would have thought he'd take abuse as a visiting player pretty much anywhere he went. The '50s weren't the most enlightened time.
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