BRUIN STORE TIRE O'REE'S NO .22

Willie O'Ree, who in 1958 became the first Black player to play in the NHL, will have his No. 22 jersey retired by the Boston Bruins, the team said on Tuesday. O'Ree, who entered the NHL a decade after Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier in baseball, faced racial slurs when he made his debut with the Bruins but paved the way for players of diverse ethnic backgrounds. “Throughout the history of the National Hockey League, there have been very few individuals that have had such a profound impact on the league and its culture than Willie O'Ree,” said Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs. “The entire hockey world is forever indebted to Willie for all that he has done, and continues to do, for the sport.” Since 1998, O'Ree has worked for the NHL as a Diversity Ambassador. The Bruins said the 85-year-old O'Ree, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 as in the Builder category, will have his number retired Feb. 18.