The Willie O’Ree Award is a prestigious honor in the world of ice hockey, named after Willie O’Ree, who was the first Black player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). The award was created in 2018 and is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, dedication, and courage that Willie O’Ree demonstrated throughout his career.
Willie O’Ree’s Legacy
Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1935. He began playing hockey at a young age and quickly became a standout player. In 1958, he was called up to the NHL by the Boston Bruins, becoming the first Black player to play in the league. O’Ree faced discrimination and racism throughout his career, but he continued to play the game he loved and paved the way for future generations of Black hockey players.
After retiring from professional hockey, O’Ree continued to work with the NHL as a diversity ambassador, promoting the game of hockey to underrepresented communities and advocating for diversity and inclusion within the sport.
The Creation of the Willie O’Ree Award
The NHL created the Willie O’Ree Award in 2018 to honor O’Ree’s legacy and recognize current NHL players who exemplify the same qualities of perseverance, dedication, and courage that O’Ree demonstrated throughout his career. The award is presented annually at the NHL Awards ceremony.
The award’s inaugural recipient was Darcy Haugan, a coach of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team who was killed in a tragic bus accident in 2018. Haugan was remembered for his dedication to his players and the sport of hockey, as well as his unwavering spirit and positive attitude.
Subsequent recipients of the Willie O’Ree Award have included Jordan Martinook of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kurtis Gabriel of the San Jose Sharks. Both players have been recognized for their commitment to making hockey more inclusive and welcoming to all players, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
The Importance of the Willie O’Ree Award
The Willie O’Ree Award is an important recognition of the progress that has been made in the sport of hockey towards greater diversity and inclusion. It acknowledges the contributions of players who are committed to making hockey a more welcoming and inclusive sport for all.
But the award also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. Despite the progress that has been made, hockey remains a predominantly white sport, with very few Black players at the professional level. The Willie O’Ree Award is a call to action for all players, coaches, and fans of the sport to continue working towards greater diversity and inclusion.
Conclusion
The Willie O’Ree Award is a fitting tribute to a hockey legend who broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of Black players. It is an important recognition of the progress that has been made in the sport toward greater diversity and inclusion, but it also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. As the NHL continues to evolve, it is important that we all work together to make hockey a sport that is truly welcoming and inclusive to all.
Here are the winners of the Willie O’Ree Award since its creation in 2018:
2018 – Darcy Haugan: Haugan was a Canadian ice hockey coach who was posthumously awarded the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. He was the head coach of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, which was involved in a fatal bus accident that claimed the lives of 16 people in April 2018. Haugan was recognized for his dedication to his players and his community, as well as his unwavering spirit and positive attitude.
2019 – Jordan Martinook: Martinook, a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes, was awarded the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his commitment to making hockey more inclusive and welcoming to all players. He has been actively involved in the You Can Play Project, an organization that works to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sports.
2020 – Kurtis Gabriel: Gabriel, a forward for the San Jose Sharks, was awarded the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in hockey. He has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the sport and has worked to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all players.
2021 – Kevin Hodgson: Hodgson, a former professional hockey player and coach, was awarded the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his work in creating opportunities for young Black players in the sport. He founded the non-profit organization “Hockey in the Hood” in 1995 to provide access to hockey for inner-city youth in his hometown of Detroit.
Each of these winners has demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and community service in the sport of hockey, exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, dedication, and courage that Willie O’Ree himself demonstrated throughout his career.
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