About this book

Meet Willie O'Ree—the NHL player who broke down barriers on and off the ice.

Growing up in Frederiction in the 1930s, Willie was a top all-around athlete — but the sport he loved most was hockey. On January 18, 1958, Willie became the first black player in the NHL. To get there, he had faced racism and an injury that would have ended most hockey careers. And playing in the NHL was only the start of his incredible career.

Because Willie believed in hard work... and helping others.

Reviews

Elizabeth MacLeod makes sure to tell as much of his story as possible, including a timeline with photographs at the end of the story. . . . Though [Mike Deas’s] art is cheerful, it finds a way to demonstrate Willie O’Ree’s experiences with racial discrimination and hardship related to his injury without ever trivializing either. It was a pleasure to meet Willie O'Ree, a pioneer of black achievement in hockey and a hero of sports dreams. (Meet Willie O'Ree) — CanLit for Little Canadians

Extras

See more about the Scholastic Canada Biography series.

Scholastic Canada Biography: Meet Willie O'Ree Teacher's Guide