NASHVILLE --Pierre-Olivier Joseph plans to retire the suit he wore to the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Monday after getting the lining autographed by Willie O'Ree.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman participated in the ceremony by going on stage to tell the story of teammate Kris Letang, who won the Masterton Trophy perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Beforehand, Joseph met O'Ree, who became the NHL's first Black player when he debuted with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum on Jan. 18, 1958.
"I wanted to get to know him," Joseph said. "He means the world to me and just being able to walk in his path, he opened the path for all of us. Being able to see him was nerve-wracking more to meet him, I think, than being on stage."
P.O Joseph on Willie O’Ree: “It started with him. He’s the reason why it’s so openminded now with Black players playing in the NHL. We can’t thank him enough for everything he did for us.” 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/blOKi1CKj8
By coincidence, Joseph was wearing a custom-made brown suit with a lining that features photos of influential Black athletes such as O'Ree, boxer Muhammad Ali, tennis player Serena Williams and soccer player Pele, among others. So, Joseph asked O'Ree to sign his photo.
O'Ree, who was there to present the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, happily agreed.
"The chance that I'm wearing the suit at the same time and having his picture in my suit was great," said Joseph, a 23-year-old native of Laval, Quebec. "I'm never going to wash that suit again and I'm never going to wear that suit again. So, it definitely was a special moment for me."
