Sixty-four years becoming the NHL's first Black player, O'Ree's No. 22 jersey will take its rightful place in the TD Garden rafters on Tuesday night before the Bruins take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The 86-year-old will become the 12th player in Bruins history to have his number retired, joining Eddie Shore, Lionel Hitchman, Bobby Orr, Dit Clapper, Phil Esposito, Cam Neely, Johnny Bucyk, Milt Schmidt, Rick Middleton, Terry O'Reilly, and Ray Bourque.
"Well, I think it's a great honor for Willie," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Always enjoy talking to him. It's unfortunate with the Covid times, he's not able to be here in person because I think it's always a great opportunity to just chat and catch up. So good for Willie - trailblazer, to say the least. And very happy for him and his family. I think the whole Bruins organization is looking forward to it."
While O'Ree will be unable to attend the ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bruins made sure to meet with him virtually following Monday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena. Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron and alternate captains Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak presented O'Ree with some special gifts, including a customized fedora hat with his No. 22 banner and a retro Spoked-B emblazoned on the inside.
"Making the best of a situation here," said Cassidy. "I think that the team did a good job [on Monday]…I think we're getting used to a little bit of this impersonal sort of touch through COVID, doing the best you can. But obviously we'd love to have him here.
"In the past he has come to practice with different groups and it's always good to catch up. He's got lots of stories, always interesting to talk to. I think everyone's doing their part to do the best they can, and I think it will be a special moment no matter what."
Cassidy added that it's important for the Bruins - from the organization to the coaches to the players to the fans - to continue to acknowledge the impact that O'Ree has had on the sport and so many young people with dreams of playing the game they love at the highest level.
"We don't know what he had to endure…through fans or even teammates or staff or anything like that, fellow players," said Cassidy. "And to keep being resilient, play through it and find his way to the National Hockey League, including his health, right? I mean, he had an eye injury that probably no one knew about for himself. So, a lot of adversity for him to go through. Like a Jackie Robinson and different people that were first in line to fight through certain situations.
"I think our guys have a ton of respect for that. So that would be my word. Willie, thank you. Thank you for paving the way for a lot of young men to sort of emulate you, look up to you and probably give them sort of a goal to achieve to make the National Hockey League or just be a professional player or hockey player in general."
