Monday, October 20, 2008
Pioneering NHL Player Visits SDSU
Willie O'Ree, the first African American in the National Hockey League, will speak on Oct. 29.
Willie O'Ree broke the color barrier in the NHL in 1958.
Willie O'Ree, the first African-American to skate for a team in the National Hockey League, is visiting SDSU to celebrate the 50th anniversary of breaking the color barrier.
O'Ree made his debut in typical modest fashion for the Boston Bruins on Jan. 18, 1958, and played right wing for the team through 45 games between 1958 and 1961. Most of O'Ree's playing time was with the Western Hockey League's Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls.
The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Aztec Athletic Center on 55th Street.
The event was organized by SDSU Athletics and is co-sponsored by the Office of the President and The Intercultural Relations/Cross-Cultural Center.
Reservations are being accepted through Oct. 27. To RSVP, contact Jennifer Turner via
e-mail.