Kings honor O'Ree as part of 'Legends Night' series

Member of 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame class lauded in Los Angeles

VAN@LAK: O'Ree talks NHL career, work as ambassador

By Daniel O'Leary @DanOLeary25 / NHL.com Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Kings honored Willie O'Ree, the groundbreaking former NHL player and member of the 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame class on Saturday.

O'Ree, who was recently honored by the AHL's San Diego Gulls with
his own bobblehead
, was brought out to center ice before the game and lauded for his career.

It was the first of three "Legends Nights" the Kings are celebrating this season.
O'Ree, the first black player in NHL history and the League's current Hockey Is For Everyone ambassador, never played or worked for the Kings but has lived in Southern California since 1961. The team decided it was time to honor him as an "NHL legend" for his accomplishments on and off the ice.
Kings president Luc Robitaille, also a Hockey Hall of Famer, presented O'Ree with a special gift, a Maurice Lacroix watch.
O'Ree was given a hero's welcome at Staples Center, complete with video tribute and recap of his career. He also joined the team's broadcast team to discuss, among other things, his feeling when he go the call saying he'd been selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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