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• O'Ree Mail (Feb. 10, 2002)
Although he played only 45 games over parts of two seasons with the Boston Bruins, William (Willie) O'Ree is remembered as the first black player in the history of the National Hockey League.
A 5'10", 180-pound left wing, O'Ree played two games for the Bruins in 1957-58 and 43 more in 1960-61. He was known for his exceptional speed and his checking ability. He scored only four goals in his brief NHL career, but he remembers the first one as if it were yesterday.
"It came against Montreal on New Year's Night, 1961," O'Ree said. "Charlie Hodge was the goalie. You don't forget your first NHL goal. We won, 3-2."
Even though he didn't play regularly in the NHL, Willie did have an extraordinarily long professional career - 21 seasons, mostly in the old Western League with the Los Angeles Blades and the San Diego Gulls, despite losing his right eye in a junior hockey game when he was 21.
During his career, he played for some of the most famous names in hockey. His coaches included Phil Watson and Punch Imlach in Quebec City, Cal Gardner in Kingston, and Milt Schmidt in Boston. Imlach, Stewart and Schmidt are all in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on Canada's Atlantic coast, O'Ree was an outstanding athlete as a youngster, excelling at hockey, rugby, soccer, basketball, track and baseball. A shortstop, he was invited to training camp with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956.
Now 65 years of age, Willie lives in La Mesa, CA and works as the Director of Youth Development for the NHL® Diversity Task Force™.
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Willie talks about hat tricks and free agents
by NHL | March 6, 2002
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Do you have a question about hockey? About skills? About the game? Meet our expert: Willie O'Ree! You can send Willie e-mail right here: nhlkids@nhl.com.
Dear Mr. O'Ree,
What is a natural hat trick?
Palermo611
Hi, Palermo,
I get this one all the time. A "natural" hat trick is three goals in a row by the same player, with no one scoring in between. It is also called a "pure" hat trick.
Dear Willie,
I live in Australia and started liking hockey about 2 years ago and I just wanted to know what are free agent signings and how do they work?
Thanks
Lindsay
Hi, Lindsay:
"Free agency" is just what it says. A player who is a total free agent can sign with any team he chooses and is not currently bound by a contract with any particular team.
Hey Willie,
I have a question of the whereabouts of Bryan Adams. Living in Lansing, Michigan I am a big Michigan State University Hockey fan. Bryan was my favorite player while he was at MSU. I knew he was the leading scorer in the IHL for the Florida Solar Bears. Then I thought he played for Atlanta, but I never saw him in a game.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Dewar
Hi, Jeremy:
Bryan Adams played last season for Orlando of the IHL, but the IHL folded. This season, he has been with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.
Dear Willie,
Do you think Martin Brodeur is a better goaltender than Curtis Joseph? Paul Kariya is my favorite player, but he's not doing well this season. Why is that?
Rob
Hi, Rob:
Brodeur or Joseph? Flip a coin. They are both terrific. Well, Anaheim has been struggling this season, both on the ice and at the gate, so it is hardly surprising that Paul Kariya has not had his best season. Paul can play on my team anytime, let's put it that way. He is one of the game's elite players.
Hey Willie,
I know if the puck hits the crossbar and bounces back, it is no goal. But what if the puck hits the inside crossbar (the one at the back of the net), and the puck bounces straight back, back past the red line without the puck touching the net or falling in the goal area?
Is this still a goal? Or is this like hitting the front crossbar and no goal is awarded?
Thanks.
Matt Piazza
Hi, Matt:
If the puck hits the back goal support, it is definitely a goal, no matter where it lands. It certainly does NOT have to land in the net for it to count.
Hi,
Do you think Tampa Bay and Montreal are playoff contenders this year?
Tony
Hi, Tony:
I think Montreal is a good bet for the playoffs, yes. Tampa Bay, I think, will need a good run the remainder of the season to make it.
Hi,
I would like to know what you think about the Oilers right now.
Ian, 12
Hi, Ian:
For a small market franchise, the Oilers have done an absolutely terrific job staying in contention the last several years. I believe Edmonton will make the playoffs for a sixth straight year this season.
Hi,
My favorite player is Patrick Roy and I'd like to know, do you think he played better on the Habs or is he a better player on the Avs?
Da Man cgy
Hi, Da Man:
I think Patrick Roy's game has been exactly the same, both in Montreal and in Colorado. Just remember, he won two Stanley Cups in both places. Not too many people can say that.
Hey Willie!
I play ice and inline hockey in Australia. Over here inline hockey is definitely way more popular. I was wondering whether ice or inline is bigger in the US and Canada and whether you think it will have much of a future?
Thanks, Jonny :)
P.S. What it's like playing in the NHL?
Hi, Jonny:
Ice hockey is certainly bigger than In-Line in North America, but In-Line keeps growing every year as a great recreation. It will never catch ice hockey in terms of exposure, of course, but look for In-Line to keep growing by a lot.
P.S. Let's put it this way: Playing in the NHL was one of the greatest thrills of my entire life.
You can send Willie e-mail right here: nhlkids@nhl.com.
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