The Boston Bruins are postponing the retirement of Willie O'Ree's No. 22 until Jan. 18, 2022 with the hope that doing so will allow for fans to be in the building for the celebration.
It was announced last month that the Bruins would honour O'Ree, the first Black player to ever play in the NHL, by raising his No. 22 to the rafters, with the ceremony originally set for Feb. 18 of this year. The ceremony's new date will fall on the anniversary of O'Ree's NHL debut as he first stepped onto NHL ice on Jan. 18, 1958.
"After consultation with Willie and the Bruins, we have respectfully asked that the banner-raising be postponed until January 18, 2022 – 64 years to the date that Willie became the first Black player in NHL history," the NHL said in a statement.
"We hope and expect the change will enable us all to commemorate this moment in a way that matches the magnitude of Willie's impact – in 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.
O'Ree will be the 12th player to have his jersey retired by the Bruins franchise. Upon the initial announcement of the team's plans for No. 22, Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs highlighted O'Ree's immense impact on the history of the game.
“Throughout the history of the National Hockey League, there have been very few individuals that have had such a profound impact on the league and its culture than Willie O’Ree,” Jacobs said at the time, via a release. “After breaking the colour barrier as a Boston Bruin in 1958 and eventually retiring from professional hockey in 1979, Willie became the ultimate ambassador for improving diversity and inclusion within the game of hockey.
"The entire hockey world is forever indebted to Willie for all that he has done, and continues to do, for the sport. We are incredibly proud to retire Willie’s number and cement his legacy as one of Boston’s greatest athletes.”
