Canada Post Honours Willie O’Ree, NHL’s First Black Player, with Commemorative Stamp

Canada Post has unveiled a commemorative stamp honouring the remarkable life and legacy of Willie O’Ree, a trailblazer who holds the distinction of being the National Hockey League’s (NHL) first Black player.

Sarah Nurse of the PWHL Toronto team, Jeff Scott (Vice-President, Community Development and Industry Growth, NHL), Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers, former NHLers Grant Fuhr and Anson Carter, Doug Ettinger (President and Chief Executive Office, Canada Post), Brian Jennings (Senior Executive Vice-President, Marketing, and Chief Branding Officer, NHL), former NHLer Georges Laraque, and Nazim Kadri of the Calgary Flames. (CNW Group/Canada Post)

The stamp was unveiled during the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic weekend festivities in Edmonton.

Willie O’Ree etched his name into history on January 18, 1958, when he stepped onto the ice for the Boston Bruins in a game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montréal Forum — this historic moment marked a significant milestone for both O’Ree and the NHL.

Beyond his contributions on the ice, O’Ree has dedicated his life to advocating for diversity and inclusion in hockey. His inspiring journey serves as a testament to resilience and determination, motivating generations of Canadians to pursue their dreams despite facing obstacles or prejudice. In recognition of his impactful efforts, O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, and the NHL established the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in his honour.

Stamp of Willie O’Ree (CNW Group/Canada Post)

The commemorative stamp showcases a recent photograph of Willie O’Ree donning his iconic fedora cap, along with an inset image capturing him in action on the ice in 1960. The stamp’s black and yellow design pays homage to the uniform colors he wore during his tenure with the Boston Bruins from 1958 to 1961. The modern photograph was taken by Philip Cheung at O’Ree’s San Diego residence.

The stamp issue is cancelled in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where Willie O’Ree was born and raised. Produced by Colour Innovations, the stamp release comprises a booklet containing six Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover.