FILE - Former Boston Bruins' Willie O'Ree tips his hat as he is honored prior to the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, in this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, file photo. The Boston Bruins say they will retire the jersey of Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL's color barrier. O'Ree will have his No. 22 jersey honored prior to the Bruins' Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. He became the league's first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
The Associated Press
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he keeps a signed hockey stick from 'œliving legend'ť Willie O'Ree as a constant reminder of the work that remains to combat racism.
Trudeau added himself to a long list of people inspired by the life and career of O'Ree, who in January 1958 became the first Black man to play in the NHL.
Trudeau and O'Ree participated Monday in a virtual assembly with Canadian students, marking both the first day of Black History Month and the Canadian release of a new documentary about O'Ree.
Trudeau says he keeps the stick O'Ree gave him during a visit to Parliament Hill in 2018 next to his desk - both as testament to O'Ree's perseverance and a daily reminder that neither Canada, nor the game it loves, is inclusive enough.
The 85-year-old O'Ree played professional hockey for more than two decades, including 45 games for the Boston Bruins in 1958 and 1961.
O'Ree, who has been the NHL's director of youth development and diversity ambassador since 1998, says any young person with a big dream needs to remember the only path to success is through hard work.
FILE - In this Nov. 23, 1960, file photo, 25-year-old left wing Willie O'Ree, the first black player of the National Hockey League, warms up in his Boston Bruins uniform prior to a game against the New York Rangers at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Boston Bruins say they are retiring the jersey of Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL's color barrier. O'Ree will have his jersey honored prior to the Bruins' Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. He became the league's first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, despite being legally blind in one eye. (AP Photo/File)
The Associated Press