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
BOSTON (AP) - More than 60 years after he broke the NHL's color barrier, Willie O'Ree will soon add another milestone to his career.
The Boston Bruins announced Tuesday that O'Ree will have his No. 22 jersey retired prior to the team's Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. It will make O'Ree the 12th player in team history to have a sweater hung in TD Garden.
The 85-year-old O'Ree said he was in his backyard Monday when he got the call from Bruins president Cam Neely informing him about the honor.
'œI was at a loss for words there for a few seconds,'ť O'Ree said. 'œI'm overwhelmed and thrilled about having my Bruins jersey hung up in the rafters.'ť
He became the league's first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958, against the Montreal Canadiens. O'Ree, who was legally blind in one eye, played two seasons for the Bruins, retiring from professional hockey in 1979.
He also donned Nos. 18 and 25 during his time with the Bruins but wore No. 22 in the bulk of his games with the club.
'œI was obsessed with playing the sport,'ť O'Ree said. 'œJust that burning desire. Even when I lost my eye my second year of juniors, they said, '~Well, you should quit.' I said, well, I can still see. I just kept on playing.'ť
Neely said there is no question O'Ree is deserving of having his jersey enshrined next to team greats like Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque.
'œWillie's contributions to the game of hockey transcend on-ice accomplishments and have opened countless doors for players who have come after him," Neely said in a statement.
With Massachusetts' COVID-19 restrictions currently prohibiting fans from being in attendance at Bruins games, it is likely O'Ree will be honored in a mostly empty Garden. But the team said once protocols allow, it plans to recognize him again so fans can be a part of it.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said though it's not ideal, the team didn't want to delay honoring his contributions and will 'œpay tribute in the best fashion we possibly can.'ť
'œIdeally, you want him shaking people's hands in situations like this and really paying tribute and rightfully so to Willie,'ť Sweeney said. 'œIt doesn't diminish the overall effect of ... Willie going into the rafters and retiring his number and what he's meant to the game and the Boston Bruins.'ť
O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2018 as part of the 'œBuilder'ť category, which honors those who have made significant contributions to the sport.
He played 45 games in his NHL career for the Bruins, notching four goals and 10 assists.
Since 1998, O'Ree has worked for the NHL as a diversity ambassador.
While it's been 40 years since he hung up his cleats, O'Ree said he isn't dwelling on the timing of this latest recognition.
'œIt possibly could have happened sooner,'ť he said. 'œSometimes things take a little longer."
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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
FILE - Willie O'Ree, the first black player to compete in the NHL, arrives for a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this July 25, 2019, file photo. 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/Susan Walsh, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this March 25, 2003, file photo, Willie O'Ree, the NHL's first black player and current NHL director of youth development is seen prior to being presented with the 2003 Lester Patrick Award, in Boston. 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/Patricia McDonnell, File
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2008, file photo, former Boston Bruins hockey player Willie O'Ree waves to the crowd in Boston after being honored on the 50th anniversary of breaking the color barrier in the NHL after the first period of the Bruins hockey game against the New York Rangers in Boston. Looking on is Bruins legend John Bucyk. 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/Winslow Townson, File)
The Associated Press