Willie O’Ree, NHL’s first black hockey player, visits WMMR
On Thursday morning Preston asked a Stupid Question (like he does every morning at 6:25am) but this one lead to a fun chain of events.
- Q: What is Willie O’Ree’s claim to fame?
- A: He was the first black hockey player in the NHL
Hours later we received a tip that the hockey icon we talked about that very morning would be in town Friday and is available to stop by the show for an interview. YES! BOOK HIM!
That’s how we got the honor of speaking to Mr. Willie O’Ree, the bad-ass hockey player who at 82 has a powerful handshake and looks like he could still suit up. In 1958 he took the ice at The Boston Garden and changed the standards of the game.
Take a listen:
The members of the show were thrilled and honored to spend time with this living legend:
Willie was in town for the 2018 NHL Willie O’Ree Skills Weekend at Class of ’23 Rink, University of Pennsylvania hosted by The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation and the Philadelphia Flyers.
A large portion of the weekend will focused on the NHL’s Declaration of Principles, which includes Acceptance, Courage, Perseverance, Respect, Humility, Passion, Integrity, and Teamwork. Willie will speak to 100 inner-city students, coaches and directors from Hockey is for Everyone programs across North America.
Details: The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation on Facebook
