The grassroots movement to get Willie O’Ree into the Hockey Hall of Fame

[doniceage]

As he had done hundreds of times in his career, Bill Hunt sat down at his computer one morning in January and began crafting a weekly sports column for the Fredericton Daily Gleaner. While he typically writes about the wider world of sports, the subject of that week’s story hit close to home.

Hunt planned to pen an ode to hometown hero Willie O’Ree, the former Boston Bruins player and Fredericton native who became the first black NHLer in 1958.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...ockey-hall-of/

[Crosscheck]

As a player I am against it. Mr. O’Ree did not have that great of stats and did not play in many games. I am not for putting someone in the Hall of Fame because it’s the politically correct thing to do.

As a builder I am great with it. I think that’s the correct route to go. Mr. O’Ree did break the color barrier and that needs to be remembered for generations. Let’s put him in for his contributions of moving the game forward.

[30ranfordfan]

There's plenty of guys in the hof already, whose stats are a joke compared to most the hall members.... The the fact that his career accomplishments pale in cimparison to most hofers... On its own doesn't bug me. I hadn't heard of a push for O'Ree's inclusion before... But it immediately makes more sense than Paul Henderson, IMO.

That being said - crosscheck made a great point. Builder. Breaking the colour barrier is a big deal (he wouldn't be the only one that should go in though, Larry Kwong would have to garner consideration too) but probably doesn't make a 'HOFer' on it's own. A Builder? Pretty undeniable that his impact is worthy of honour.

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[FactoryOfSadness]

Willie O" Ree belongs in the Hall for what he's done for the game, mostly as a ambassador of the game. Even in his 80's he's spreading his love for the game to EVERYONE. He's one of the Great Ambassador's of Hockey and both he and Don Cherry Belong in the Hall of Fame as Builders. I feel it should be done ASAP.