"I'm 84 years old and didn't think I'd witness some of the stuff that's going on, but this dates back to the slavery age," O'Ree told The Canadian Press.

The native son of Fredericton, N.B., and 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee was the first black player to make it to the NHL when he suited up for the Boston Bruins in 1958.

The exhibit at the New Brunswick Museum explores the emotional connections that Canadians have with the sport that has come to define us.

The Hockey Hall of Fame has added NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, pioneering black player Willie O'Ree and all-time winningest goaltender Martin Brodeur to its latest class.

Willie O'Ree played just 45 games in the NHL, but his supporters say his true legacy will be the work he continues to do as diversity ambassador and encouraging children of colour to play the game.

Willie O'Ree broke the NHL's colour barrier and Fredericton residents have led the push to try and get him inducted as a "Builder" for all his contributions to the sport.

Fredericton Member of Parliament Matt DeCourcey has joined the movement to get NHL trailblazer Willie O’Ree inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Residents in Willie O’Ree’s hometown say they want to see him inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. They say his work off the ice, along with breaking the NHL’s colour barrier, make him a great candidate.

Willie O'Ree had no idea he was making history when he donned a Boston Bruins jersey and jumped onto the ice at the Montreal Forum on Jan. 18, 1958