Black History Month
Hey Hawks. The Black Mentorship INC presents their annual Black History month tonight from 6 – 8pm. This year’s celebration is called “Elevate Greatness”. To register for the webinar head over to Black Mentorship Inc’s website and check out their upcoming events to register for the zoom webinar.
Today we want to speak about a hockey player who changed NHL history and advocated for diversity in this league. Willie O’Ree was the NHL’s very first Black hockey player on January 18th 1958. He was born on October 15th 1935 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O’Ree had played hockey professionally for over 20 years, which included 45 games alongside the NHL’s Boston Bruins. Willie has truly impacted the NHL as he has been the NHL’s Director of Youth Development and ambassadors for NHL Diversity, and has also led the Hockey is for Everyone program. For his outstanding services in the NHL Willie received the Lester Patrick Trophy back in 2003. The NHL even created the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in his honor. O’Ree is both present in New Brunswick’s Sport Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Willie O’Ree is an inspiration for us all showing anyone and everyone can achieve anything with perseverance.