What is hockey hall of famer willie?

Willie O'Ree is a retired Canadian ice hockey player who became the first Black player to compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1958. He was born on October 15, 1935, in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O'Ree was one of thirteen children in his family and grew up playing hockey on outdoor rinks in his community.

Despite facing racism and discrimination throughout his career, O'Ree played professional hockey for over 20 years, including ten seasons in the NHL. He scored four goals and 10 assists in 45 NHL games and was a skilled penalty killer.

In 2018, O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder, recognizing his pioneering efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in hockey. Since his retirement, O'Ree has worked as an ambassador for NHL diversity programs and created the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award to honor individuals who work to make a difference in their communities through the sport of hockey.