Willie O’Ree Autographed “Willie O’Ree” 16x20

Playing in the late 1950s, early 1960s, there aren’t many quality color images that exist of Willie O’Ree in uniform, this is one of them. Not only did Willie O’Ree break the color barrier when he made his debut on January 18, 1958, what was more significant was the fact that he wasn’t even supposed to be in the NHL due to the fact that he was legally blind in his right eye. Playing for the Kitchener Canucks of the Ontario Hockey Association during the 1955-56 season, O’Ree was hit in the right eye by a puck, permanently blinding him in the right eye. While doctors advised him to stop playing, O’Ree returned to the ice just two months later, forever keeping his disability a secret. Had O’Ree taken the doctor’s advice he never would have had the chance to make history with his NHL debut in 1958.

This image 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.