By Dan Israeli
On Jan. 18, 1958, he became the first black man to play in the National Hockey League - breaking hockey's color barrier and solidifying himself as the league's version of Jackie Robinson.
On top of that, he accomplished the historic feet with just one good eye. In 1956, while playing with a minor league Canadian team, O'Ree was struck in the face by a puck, causing him to lose 95 percent of vision in his right eye. If there was ever someone to inspire underprivileged youth into achieving a dream in hockey, O'Ree was the guy.
Last Wednesday, O'Ree visited the Arena of Long Beach, as part of the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force. As Director of Youth Development, O'Ree has spent the past 10 years developing diversity hockey programs in urban-based areas. The goal of the task force is to promote hockey and other ice skating activities in areas where families don't have enough money to pay for the expenses.
It is an under-looked issue that plagues the sport's development in inner-city communities, where it's a lot easier to pick up a basketball than it is to put on $1,000 worth of hockey gear. "It's a very expensive sport," O'Ree said. "What we do is make it more affordable and accessible. We let the families know that there is a place for them to come and equipment for them to use."
The program in Long Beach was a collaboration of Long Beach Arena President Bernard Shereck and the Long Beach Martin Luther King Jr. Center. Shereck met O'Ree at the U.S. Hockey Congress in Colorado Springs, Colo. earlier this year, where the two decided to bring the diversity program to the arena. Getting O'Ree to appear in person - at a podium in the center of the arena's rink - and address many of the center's black children was icing on the cake.
"I could have easily gotten Pat LaFontaine or Mike Bossy to go out there on the ice," said Shereck, naming off some noteworthy New York Hockey greats. "But it was important to have someone who the kids could relate to better. The response was very positive."
Thomas Owens, executive director of the MLK Center, saw the program as a perfect match for the center's youth initiative. "It's a good opportunity for our young people to learn about new things and expand their opportunities in sports," Owens said, noting that hockey provides another college scholarship option.
As far as getting O'Ree involved, there was no doubt in Owens mind that he was the perfect man for the job. "He's key for it," Owens said. "Willie was the first guy to show it was possible. When you have that kind of impact, the kids are going to be open to it."
While O'Ree's impact on hockey was not as monumental as Robinson's integration of baseball, it still has its place in sports history. O'Ree made his debut in 1958 with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadians, after being called up from the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Hockey League. He played in just two games that season, and didn't return to the NHL ice until 1961, when he played his only full season.
In 43 games, O'Ree scored four goals and had ten assists, modest numbers, but impressive considering his nearly blind eye. After 45 total games in the NHL, O'Ree went on to play the rest of his career in the Western Hockey League, as a member of the Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls. For 11 years, he starred as one of the league's top players.
After retiring in 1979, O'Ree knew that he could never leave hockey for good. While he did face some racial discrimination from fans, his lasting impression on the league was positive. "I still wanted to provide a service, be involved in hockey in some capacity," he said. "I am now in a position to give back to a sport and community that has given so much to me."
O'Ree has been giving back to the NHL for almost a decade, helping establish diversity programs in more than 40 communities across the country. The program takes in donations and used equipment to help alleviate the cost for many families that can't afford to put their children in hockey leagues. As part of the initiative, the arena will be providing free skating lessons for children five and up.
After that, the plan is to provide hockey programs at the arena at an affordable rate, according to Shereck, through grant money and fund-raising. James Hodge, a board trustee at the MLK Center, was heavily involved with bringing the program to Long Beach. For him, the opportunity will provide another safe haven for children to spend their after school hours.
"The more opportunities for kids to get involved in different activities, the less opportunities for them to get involved in the streets," Hodge said. "And you couldn't get a better person to come out and get this thing started. [O'Ree] went through so many obstacles, which shows these kids that any of them could make it."
With the program in its initial stage, it will take the efforts of both the youth and adult community to ensure success. Anthony Funches was one of the first black hockey players to play at the arena when he was a teenager in the 80's, and can attest to the diversity lacking in the sport.
"At that time, I don't think anyone saw black people playing hockey," he said. "It was pretty rough coming up." Funches, who played for the Nassau County All-Star team up to junior high, went on to play for the Long Beach High School squad. While there has been a gradual increase in minority athletes in the NHL, Funches said that future growth in numbers weighs heavily on development in places like the arena.
"It has to start right here," Funches said. "I learned how to skate and play at the arena, and it will always be a part of me. I'm here to help this program become realized in any way, shape or form."
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