William Eldon O’Ree
By Shannon
Willie O’Ree’s Childhood
Willie O’Ree was born October 15,1935,Fredericton,New
Brunswick. He had a brother named Richard, who was a good
athlete, his mother Rosebud and his father was a mechanic. He
learned to skate at age 3 and played in a league at age 5. To learn
to skate, his father would take the hose in the winter and spray
the ground so he could skate.
Willie’s Family’s Life
Willie’s brother Richard was the older one of the two.
His mother was a stay at home mom and his dad was
a mechanic. Richard taught Willie how to play sports
like baseball, hockey ect…Richard played lots of
sports.
Willie’s Home Town
Willie’s home town is Fredericton, New
Brunswick. He doesn’t live there anymore but he
still visits his friends there every once in a while.
They named a rink after him and its called the
Willie O’Ree place. Its is located in Fredericton.
Willie’s Career
As Willie got older, he played in minor hockey. Then one
day the Boston Bruins offered for him to come and replace an
injured player. He played two games both against the Montreal
Canadians. Then he went back to minor. They called him again
in 1960-61 playing 43 games. Again, he was back to minor. In the
minor hockey for several teams including the Ottawa Hulls, the
Las Angles blades and for the PHL(Proffesional Hockey League)
the San Diego Gulls.
Willie’s Education
Willie went to school in Fredericton for Elementary, Junior
High and High School. He did graduate from High School.
What Willie Does Today
In 1998, Willie became the Director of Youth Development
for the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force. Unfortunately,
he today he is 95% blind in his right eye. While playing for the
Bruins, a puck hit all around there and destroyed the retina and
broke his nose.
Timeline
Events in the Life of Willie O'Ree
Willie retired
Willie became the Director
of Youth Hockey
Development for the
NHL/USA Hockey Diversity
Task Force
Born in Fredericton, New
Brunswick
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
Willie won the WHL goal
scoring title
Willie broke the NHL color
barrier
1990
2000
2010
Map of Fredericton and Boston
Trivia
Question
Trivia Question
What is Willie’s brother’s name?
Trivia Answer
Willie’s brother’s name is Richard.