Willie O’Ree Autographed & Inscribed Boston Bruins Logo Puck

While there was much national and international headlines surrounding Jackie Robinson when he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Willie O’Ree’s debut in the NHL on January 18, 1958, breaking the NHL’s color barrier, made effectively no headlines or news. After attending a training camp in Boston at the start of the 1957-58 season, O’Ree would later make his debut as an injury cover, playing in a road game at the Montreal Forum where the Bruins were underdogs but would beat the Canadiens 3-0. O’Ree wouldn’t score his first NHL goal until his second call-up to Boston in the 1960-61 season, where he would score his first goal on January 1st, 1961 at home against the Montreal Canadiens (the Bruins would win the game 3-2). While O’Ree had to tolerate racism and harsh treatment from opposing fans and players, he was a fan favorite at home as his first goal generated a standing ovation from the home fans that lasted for a full two minutes. 

This Boston Bruins logo hockey puck is autographed and inscribed “1.18.58 Debut” by Willie O’Ree. O’Ree’s signature was witnessed by an Upper Deck representative as part of UDA’s 5-step authentication process. This item is limited to 25.