Willie O'Ree Autographs
Willie O'Ree was born on October 15, 1935, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, and grew up playing hockey from a young age. Despite being blind in one eye due to an injury as a teenager, O'Ree never allowed it to hold him back from pursuing his love for the sport. He began his professional career with the Quebec Aces in 1956 and later played for the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen and the Los Angeles Blades before signing with the Boston Bruins in 1958.
On January 18, 1958, O'Ree made history by becoming the first black player to compete in the NHL when he suited up for the Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite facing racism and derogatory remarks from fans and players alike, O'Ree's speed and skill on the ice quickly garnered respect from his teammates and opponents. Despite only playing in 45 total games over two seasons in the NHL before being sent back down to the minors, O'Ree's impact on the game and breaking of the color barrier paved the way for future players of color in the sport.
After retiring from professional hockey in 1979, O'Ree continued to work within the game as an ambassador for the NHL's Diversity program, traveling the world to promote the sport among young and underrepresented players. In 2018, the NHL honored O'Ree's legacy by officially designating him as a "Hockey Hall of Famer" and retiring his number 22 jersey with the Bruins. O'Ree remains a towering figure in the sport of hockey, not only for his groundbreaking role as a player but also his dedication to using the game to bring people together and create positive change.
Read more about Willie O'Ree on Wikipedia
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Current items with a signature of Willie O'Ree
These are the most current items with a signature of Willie O'Ree that were listed on eBay and on other online stores - click here for more items.
| Picture | Item Title | Price | Store |
 | Vintage IHL San Diego Gulls Willie O'Ree Autograph Signed Hockey Puck | $85.99 |  |
 | Willie O'Ree Authentic Autographed Signed 1957 Quebec Aces QHL Game Program | $80.48 | |
Traded items with a signature of Willie O'Ree
The most expensive item with a signature of Willie O'Ree (willie o'ree Autograph Puck With COA Boston Bruins) was sold in August 2025 for $460.11 while the cheapest item (WILLIE O'REE BRUINS NHL HEROES SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED CARD) found a new owner for $0.20 in November 2010. The month with the most items sold (24) was January 2018 with an average selling price of $22.95 for an autographed item of Willie O'Ree. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in December 2024 with $250.67 and the month that saw the lowest prices with $0.99 was December 2009. In average, an autographed item from Willie O'Ree is worth $22.95.
Most recently, these items with a signature of Willie O'Ree were sold on eBay - click here for more items.
Latest News about Willie O'Ree
NHL names six O'Ree Community Hero finalists (04/03/2023): The NHL on Monday revealed its six finalists for the 2023 Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award. 
NHL names O'Ree Community Hero finalists (04/04/2022): Noel Acton, Meredith Lang and Ryan Francis were named the finalists for the NHL's Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, which recognizes individuals working to make a positive impact on their community, culture and society through hockey. Sources: O'Ree purchases stake in PHF's Pride (03/10/2022): Hockey Hall of Famer Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL's color barrier with the Boston Bruins in 1958, has joined the ownership group of the Premier Hockey Federation's Boston Pride, sources told ESPN. Willie O'Ree, the NHL's first Black player, to receive Congressional Gold Medal (02/01/2022): President Joe Biden signed the bill on Monday, less than a month after the Bruins retired O'Ree's No. 22 jersey at TD Garden Watch Bruins' jersey retirement ceremony for Willie O'Ree (01/19/2022): The Bruins officially raised trailblazer Willie O'Ree's No. 22 to the TD Garden rafters on Tuesday. Watch the jersey retirement ceremony here.
Older News Stories about Willie O'Ree
Bruins announce new date for Willie O'Ree jersey retirement ceremony (12/2021): Willie O'Ree is finally set to get his due at TD Garden on the 64th anniversary of him breaking the NHL's color barrier with the Bruins. What comes next for Black Girl Hockey Club? (06/2021): As founder Renee Hess is recognized as a finalist for the NHL's Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, she reflects on how far the group has come, and ponders the future. Waiting for fans, Bruins postpone O'Ree honors (02/2021): The Boston Bruins will wait to retire the number of pioneering Black hockey player Willie O'Ree until next year so that they can honor him with fans in the building. Bruins to retire number of Willie O'Ree, who broke NHL's color barrier (01/2021): The announcement comes 62 years after O'Ree's debut Willie O'Ree broke the ice in more ways than one (02/2014): Willie O'Ree played in the NHL in 1958. His debut with the Boston Bruins didn't raise much interest. Three years later, upon his return to the big league, there was far more interest. NHL trailblazer Willie O’Ree still bent on making a difference (02/2013): Sports fans hold April 15, 1947 as a cherished historical day, the day that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. But maybe it's time that January 18, 1958 holds a similar designation.
