#html-body [data-pb-style=D4V1BWB]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll}Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada in 1935, Willie O'Ree started skating at the age of 3 and began playing hockey at the age of 5. Skating and playing hockey at such an early age helped O'Ree develop his hockey skills quicker and compete at higher levels at a young age. O'Ree would play for several junior hockey teams in Quebec and Ontario before signing with the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Hockey League (QHL) at the age of 20. Only a few years later, on January 18, 1958 against the Montreal Canadiens, O'Ree would be called up to play for the Boston Bruins as an injury replacement. While O'Ree would only play 2 games in the NHL that season, it was significant as he would become the first black player to play in the NHL.This authentic white Mitchell & Ness Boston Bruins jersey is autographed by Willie O'Ree. O'Ree's signature was witnessed by an Upper Deck representative as part of UDA's 5-step authentication process.