[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM O'REE--A TRUE PIONEER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, as we close the chapter on February, Black 
History Month, I want to bring to the attention of Congress a man who 
has had a profound impact on the sport of ice hockey and its connection 
to communities of color.
  On last Sunday, the world turned its attention to the Olympic games 
to witness the men's ice hockey gold medal game featuring Team USA 
against Team Canada. At the conclusion of the hard-fought battle, Team 
Canada emerged victorious by a score of five to two. Although I wished 
the score had been reversed, I was extremely proud of what that game 
did to increase the level of exposure for the game of hockey. I was 
particularly moved by the exploits of one player in that game and I 
believe that, over time, his participation may prove more beneficial to 
the sport of hockey than the gold medal game itself. The player's name 
is Jarome Iginla.
  Jarome is an extremely talented young man who plays for the Calgary 
Flames. At the Olympic break, he was atop the leader board in overall 
points and goals and recently enjoyed his first appearance at a 
National Hockey League All-Star game. This past Sunday, Jarome played a 
critical role in Canada's victory by contributing two goals and an 
assist. It was truly a standout performance. However, it was not just 
his performance that makes him so special. Jarome is the first Black 
ice hockey player to ever have the opportunity to accomplish such a 
feat.
  While the NHL is considered to be one of the most diverse sports when 
considering national origin, it is still a predominately Caucasian 
sport. Currently, there are only thirteen Black players in the NHL, but 
there are efforts underway throughout the United States and Canada to 
introduce Blacks and other persons of color to this amazing game. 
Leading this effort is a man who has been a trailblazer when it comes 
to professional hockey's quest for diversification. While Jarome Iginla 
has become a pioneer at the Olympic level, William (Willie) O'Ree is 
the pioneer when it comes to the involvement of players of color in the 
sport of hockey.
  For those who might not be familiar with him, Willie O'Ree is the 
Jackie Robinson of ice hockey. Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on 
Canada's Atlantic coast, Mr. O'Ree as a youngster excelled at hockey, 
rugby, soccer, basketball, track and baseball. Focusing on his first 
love, he quickly established himself as an outstanding hockey player. 
He also was a courageous individual who overcame a major physical 
obstacle to achieve his dream of playing professional hockey. During 
the 1955-56 season, while playing for a junior hockey club, Mr. O'Ree 
was struck in the right eye with a puck. As a result of the injury he 
lost 95% of his sight in that eye and was advised by doctors to quit 
the game. Willie O'Ree decided to persevere rather than quit; the rest 
is history. On January 18, 1958, he became the first Black player to 
play for a National Hockey League team. The team, just in case you were 
wondering, just happened to be the Boston Bruins.
  Unlike the other major professional sports, hockey was slow to 
embrace the idea of diversity following Willie O'Ree's emergence in 
1958, and it would take another fifteen years before the next Black 
player made it to the NHL. All told, only thirty-one Black players have 
ever suited up for NHL teams. Acknowledging a need to do more in the 
area of diversity, the NHL recently began a worthy campaign to increase 
the game's exposure to communities of color. Once again, Willie O'Ree 
was called upon to lead the way.
  Just as he did 44 years ago, Mr. O'Ree today continues to tear down 
barriers and create opportunities for persons of color to enjoy the 
game of ice hockey. In 1996, he assisted the NHL with designing a youth 
All-Star game that celebrated hockey's growing diversity. Now in it's 
seventh year, the Willie O'Ree tournament allows selected boys and 
girls, ages 10-12, from each of the NHL's Diversity Task Force programs 
across North America to take part in an all-star game of their own. In 
addition to the game, the young people have an opportunity to interact 
with NHL players, attend an NHL game and experience the culture of the 
host city. This year's All-Star game is scheduled to take place next 
month in Columbus, Ohio.
  In 1998, on the 40th anniversary of his historic first game with the 
Bruins, Willie O'Ree formally joined the NHL as Director of Youth 
Development for the NHL Diversity Task Force. In this capacity, Mr. 
O'Ree travels around the country assisting communities and the 30 
Diversity Task Force programs with their hockey programs and outreach 
to boys and girls from communities of color. Through the outreach 
efforts of Willie O'Ree and NHL today's Black NHL players like Jarome 
Iginla, George Laraque, Anson Carter, Mike Grier, Sean Young, Jamal 
Mayers, Bryce Salvador, Freddie Brathwaite, Kevin Weeks, Peter Worrell, 
Sandy McCarthy and Donald Brashear will one day be seen as less an 
exception and more the norm when considering the diversity of the 
sport.

                          ____________________