Willie O’Ree Autographed “Hockey Hall of Fame” 9x9 Plaque

While Willie O’Ree’s playing time in the NHL was brief, playing only 45 total games in his career, his impact on the game was immense. O’Ree played his first game in the NHL on January 18, 1958, and played 43 more games during the 1960-61 NHL season. He has garnered the nickname “The Jackie Robinson of Hockey” due to him being the first black player in the NHL and breaking the color barrier of the sport. Much like Robinson, O’Ree had to face countless incidents of resistance from opposing players and fans but was always able to show the strength to stand strong in the face of adversity. O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. Also starting in the 2017-18 season the NHL, in honor of O’Ree, instituted the annual Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award to recognize “an individual who – through the game of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture, or society”.

This plaque is autographed by Willie O’Ree. O’Ree’s signature was witnessed by an Upper Deck representative as part of UDA’s 5-step authentication process.