Sports & Leisure Complex Named Willie O'Ree Place
Celebration of Hockey History January 16, 2008
January 16 2008 - Willie O'Ree Place was officially named here today amid the skirl of bagpipes, accolades from friends old and new, and tributes from politicians and the world of hockey.
O'Ree was joined on-stage by Mayor Brad Woodside and guest speakers for the event, including The Honourable Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; federal Veteran's Affairs Minister Greg Thompson; New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham; Ken Martin Jr., the NHL's Vice-President of Community & Diversity Programming; Scott Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Hockey Canada and Bob Sweeney, who played six of his 10 NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins, the team that O'Ree joined on January 18, 1958 - the day he broke the NHL's colour barrier.
Willie O'Ree Week in Fredericton
On January 14, 2008 Fredericton City Council declared the week of January 14-20, 2008 as Willie O'Ree Week in Fredericton.
O'Ree was the guest of honour on January 15 at a New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame fund-raising banquet that included a special visit by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. He also donned his skates early on January 16 during a public skating party hosted by CBC Radio's Information Morning show which was broadcast live from Willie O'Ree Place. He was also guest of honour at a reception at Old Government House hosted by New Brunswick's Lt.-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson on the afternoon of January 16.
