• Login/ out
  • My Account
  • Register

Top Menu
Shop Menu

  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • Deal of the Day
    • Blowout Specials
    • Unique Deals
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Just Released Products
    • Auction
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
    • Perth & New Zealand Mints
    • United States Decimal & Sets
    • World Coins and Paper Money
    • Coin Supplies
    • Mega Specials
    • Gift Ideas
    • Our Ebay
  • SELL TO US
  • AUCTION
    • Consign with us
  • CONTACT US
    • Shipping Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQ
  • MEET OUR TEAM
    • History
  • COLLECTORS CORNER
  • BULLION CORNER
  • Deal of the Day
  • Blowout Specials
  • Unique Deals
  • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • Just Released Products
  • Auction
  • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
  • Canada Decimal Coins
  • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
  • Canada Paper Money
  • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
  • Perth & New Zealand Mints
  • United States Decimal & Sets
  • World Coins and Paper Money
  • Coin Supplies
  • Mega Specials
  • Gift Ideas
  • Our Ebay
  • Bullion Corner

  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • Deal of the Day
    • Blowout Specials
    • Unique Deals
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Just Released Products
    • Auction
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
    • Perth & New Zealand Mints
    • United States Decimal & Sets
    • World Coins and Paper Money
    • Coin Supplies
    • Mega Specials
    • Gift Ideas
    • Our Ebay
  • SELL TO US
  • AUCTION
    • Consign with us
    • Current Auction
    • Featured Items
  • INFO
    • Canada’s 150th
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQ
    • Days Closed
  • About Us
    • History
    • MEET OUR TEAM
  • COLLECTORS CORNER
  • BULLION CORNER
Contact Us| Login/Out | My Account | New User
 
View Cart
Click for the BBB Business Review of this TBD in Kitchener ON
Shopper Approved | Colonial Acres Coins PayPal | Colonial Acres Coins MasterCard | Colonial Acres Coins Visa | Colonial Acres Coins
NHL Willie ORee coinNHL Willie ORee coinNHL Willie ORee coin

Royal Canadian Mint Honours Willie ORee the First Black NHL Player

April 19, 2020 by Colonial Acres Coins

Last updated on June 26th, 2020 at 03:47 pm

Last Updated on June 26, 2020 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins

Canadian-born hockey player Willie O’Ree had an impressive professional career that spanned 21 seasons. However, it is not only his remarkable longevity in the sport that distinguishes his career. O’Ree was the first black hockey player to play in the National Hockey League, and also the first to score a goal in an NHL game. Accomplishing these feats meant not only overcoming racial prejudice but also an acquired physical disability. As part of Black History Month, the Royal Canadian Mint recently released a pure silver commemorative coin bearing O’Ree’s likeness to recognize his status as a trailblazer in Canadian history.

Personal History

Like many Canadians, O’Ree started playing hockey at an early age. He grew up in New Brunswick, where his father worked in the road maintenance industry as a civil engineer. O’Ree reports that as a child playing hockey in New Brunswick, his race was never an issue. Unfortunately, this would not last.

Since the time that O’Ree was 13 years old, his goal was to play in the NHL. This dream was almost crushed when he was about 20 years old due to an accident in which he got hit in the right eye with a puck. A doctor advised him to give up hockey following the injury due to the 95% loss of vision in his right eye. However, O’Ree defied his doctor’s orders in returning to the ice. To keep playing, he had to keep the extent of his injury a secret because of an NHL bylaw that prohibits players from competition who are blind in one eye.

Groundbreaking Competition

The following season, O’Ree joined the Quebec Aces, a team with a history of integration. The Aces formed a relationship with the Boston Bruins during the 1957-58 season that allowed Aces players to serve as replacements for the Bruins. In January 1958, O’Ree played for the Bruins as a replacement against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first black player to compete in the NHL. The game happened on Canadian soil at the Montreal Forum. Despite its historic nature, O’Ree’s participation in the game was barely noted at the time. Four years later, O’Ree scored the winning goal over the Canadiens to become the first black player to score a goal in the NHL.

Enduring Legacy

O’Ree divided the remainder of his professional career between Canada and the United States, where he was, unfortunately, the frequent target of racial taunts by fans and opposing players. He found that Canadians tended to treat him with more respect. Though hardly acknowledged at the time, his trailblazing status eventually garnered the recognition it deserved. In 2018, he was the third black player inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame. That same year, the NHL established an award honoring those who use hockey to foster positive values and build character, naming it the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. For over 20 years, O’Ree has been the Diversity Ambassador for “Hockey Is for Everyone,” an NHL program to promote inclusivity in the sport. In 2005, O’Ree received the Order of New Brunswick, followed by the Order of Canada five years later.

Coin Details

The commemorative coin honoring O’Ree is minted from 99.99% pure silver. In addition to O’Ree’s likeness, reproduced from his player photo taken during his time with the Boston Bruins, it also bears his jersey number, 22, and his signature. The Boston Bruins logo appears in the background as a subtle field pattern, only noticeable under certain lights or when viewed from different angles. The coin is an officially licensed NHL product and comes in its own decorative packaging. Only 5,500 of these coins have been minted, and they are only available in the U.S. and Canada.

Willie O’Ree’s accomplishment represents an important part of Canadian history. You can find this special souvenir at Colonial Acres Coins, along with other silver commemorative coins from the Royal Canadian Mint.

Filed Under: Royal Canadian Mint

SHOP NOW!

Categories

  • Bullion
  • Canadian Coins
  • Coin Supplies
  • Jewelry
  • News
  • Paper Money
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • Superman Coins
  • Uncategorized
  • World Coins

Blog Archive

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

Recent Posts

  • Why Invest in Gold Bullion
  • The Significance Behind the 2022 Peace Dollar Rose Gold Plated Coin
  • Polar Bear $2 Canadian Coin Is the Latest in the “Bigger Picture” Series
  • Learn more About the Royal Canadian Air Force Red Knight Coin
  • Colonial Acres Is Always Buying! Here Are Some Tips When Selling Jewellery
    footer-logo

    991 Victoria Street North
    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
    N2B 3C7

    Toll Free: 1-888-255-4565

    Tel: 519-579-9302

    Fax: 519-340-1381

    info@colonialacres.com

    MENU

    • Home
    • Sell To Us
    • Auction
    • Collectors Corner
    • Bullion Corner

    ABOUT US

    • History
    • Meet Our Team

    SHOP

    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Jewellery

    Read Our Blogs

    STORE HOURS

    Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 4:30pm
    Sat: Click here to see Saturday hours
    Sun: Closed

    MORE INFO

    Contact Us
    Shipping Information
    Terms of Sale
    Privacy Policy

    Facebook Icon | Colonial Acres Coins Click for the BBB Business Review of this TBD in Kitchener ON
    Copyright © 2013 Colonial Acres Coins. All Rights Reserved. Built with Volusion.