NHL Ambassador O'Ree Teams Up with Ducks S.C.O.R.E. at Local Schools

Hockey legend Willie O'Ree made his way back to Orange County last week, as the NHL Diversity Ambassador for the Hockey is for Everyone initiative teamed up with the Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program for the fourth time to visit local schools and share his inspiring story of overcoming adversity.

As a component of the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. (Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation and Education) school assembly program, students at Roch Courreges Elementary in Fountain Valley and Laguna Road Elementary in Fullerton were treated to a visit from O'Ree, who was joined by Ducks radio play-by-play announcer Steve Carroll. The two shared with the kids about O'Ree's path to the NHL and the obstacles he overcame along the way.
A journey that began for O'Ree in Fredericton, New Brunswick, when he was a three-year-old learning to skate, the youngest of 13 children found an immediate passion for hockey and made it his goal to one day play in the NHL.
Faced with challenges such as an injury that left him blind in his right eye and perceived barriers due to the color of his skin, O'Ree was resolute in his desire to play alongside the best in the world.
His drive and persistence turned his dream into a reality when O'Ree broke into the league in 1958 with the Boston Bruins, becoming the first black player in the NHL. His message to the kids through his story was one of staying committed to education, focusing on goal setting and working hard.
"When I talk to the kids, I tell them the importance of education and staying in school, working hard and believing in yourself," O'Ree said. "You need to set goals for yourself, no matter what sport you play. And you need to stay focused on what you want to do. There's no substitute for hard work."
After his 21-year professional hockey career that spanned playing with the Bruins, the Los Angeles Blades and the San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League (WHL), O'Ree had the unique opportunity to join the NHL in 1998 in his current role where he travels throughout the U.S. and Canada sharing his story and introducing kids from all walks of life and backgrounds to his favorite sport.
"After I finished my hockey career, I wanted to stay involved with hockey in some capacity. I wanted to give back to hockey and to the community what hockey had given me over the years," the 82-year old O'Ree said. "The diversity (Hockey is for Everyone) program is just marvelous. I can't say enough about the boys and girls I've come in contact with, all the phone calls, the letters, the emails that I've gotten from the kids, thanking me. It's just been great."

Laguna Road Elementary fourth grade teacher and S.C.O.R.E. Program liaison, Pamela Penner, spent time preparing her students for O'Ree's visit by not only showing them YouTube videos about his life, but by discussing how to handle life's challenges.
"We talked about what a hurdle means in your life, how when things happen in life that you don't expect, those things can become hurdles or roadblocks," Penner said. "We see how Willie O'Ree overcame his roadblocks and pursued his dreams and what he loved. So I think it gets the kids to think about their own lives, what their dreams are and where they want to go, and how they need to decide that they're going to be what they want to be, despite any roadblocks they may have."
From the kids' responses after the conclusion of the assembly, they received O'Ree's messages loud and clear.
"I learned a lot from the presentation, and I liked how he talked about never giving up and following your dreams," said Laguna Road fourth grader, Giselle. "His love for hockey teaches children that as long as you practice, you'll get better and better in what you do. But no matter what sport you play, you still need to get your education."
"I think it was a cool thing to meet him," said Laguna Road fourth grader, Ella. "Not everyone gets to meet Willie O'Ree. I feel grateful that I can even go to school and that I get to be here for this. I think that it's fair for everyone to get to play any kind of sport they want to play, no matter what they look like. It doesn't matter, as long they have fun."

Having joined the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program for visits at six different local schools, O'Ree continues to be impressed with the impact of the Hockey is for Everyone initiative and the growth of hockey in California and beyond.
"I've been traveling around North America with the programs that we have and have noticed a big difference just over the past year," O'Ree said. "The growth has been tremendous. The sport is growing every year, more kids are playing hockey today than ever before, more rinks are being constructed and the kids are having fun."
A committed participant in the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program for many years, Laguna Road has benefitted from several of S.C.O.R.E.'s educational initiatives, including Reading is the Goal, the First Flight field trip and the street hockey curriculum. For teachers like Penner, having these programs available to schools shows the Ducks' commitment to education.
"I'm overwhelmed that Willie O'Ree came to our school," Penner said. "The Ducks are not only making new hockey fans, but they are showing the community and the schools that they care about them."
And for O'Ree, it's just another day in his remarkable life, where he gets to share his love for hockey through his life story and help make the sport is accessible to anyone who wants to play.
"My dad used to tell me, 'Willie, find a job that you love and you'll never work another day in your life.' So I'm going to continue to do this for as long as I can," O'Ree said. "These kids know the game and are excited when they have the opportunity to play. It's nice to see them out there working together, playing together and having fun together. I think hockey is the greatest sport on earth."
For more information on the Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program, visit
ducksscore.com
.
And for more information on the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone initiative, visit
nhl.com/community/hockey-is-for-everyone
.