BOSTON 鈥� The Boston Bruins will wait to retire the number of pioneering Black hockey player Willie O鈥橰ee until next year so that they can raise his No. 22 banner to the rafters with fans in the building.
The NHL said Thursday it asked the Bruins and O鈥橰ee to postpone the ceremony until Jan. 18 -- 64 years to the day that he became the league鈥檚 first Black player. It had been scheduled for next Thursday night before a game against the New Jersey Devils.
鈥淲e hope and expect the change will enable us all to commemorate this moment in a way that matches the magnitude of Willie鈥檚 impact,鈥� the league said, 鈥渋n front of a TD Garden crowd packed with passionate Bruins fans, who can express their admiration and appreciation for Willie and create the meaningful moment he has earned throughout his incredible career.鈥�
Only five of the league鈥檚 31 teams have allowed fans in the building so far this season, all at reduced capacity. Five others have announced plans to allow limited numbers soon, but the Bruins are not among them. Four teams are on pause because of COVID-19 protocols.
A Canadian who was legally blind in one eye after being struck by a puck in juniors, O鈥橰ee broke the NHL's
O鈥橰ee played two games for the Bruins that season and 43 more in 1960-鈥�61 before he was traded to the Canadiens; he never made it back to the NHL. In all, he had four goals and 10 assists.
He has been working for the NHL as a diversity ambassador since 1998.
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Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press
