With Hall of Fame induction coming up, Willie O’Ree reflects, but still notes: 'There's goals to be made'

When he was 14 years old, Willie O’Ree set two goals for himself — play pro hockey and one day earn a spot in the NHL.

At no point — during those days spent dreaming of seemingly importable goals while growing up in Fredericton, New Brunswick — did he ever think he’d ever get his name called for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

And even after leaving an indelible impact on the game — becoming the first black player to break the color barrier in the NHL — it took O’Ree over 60 years since making his debut with the Bruins to finally get that call.

“When I get the initial call from the Hall, I was in my hometown in San Diego and Lanny McDonald and John Davidson called me and I spoke with Lanny on the phone,” O’Ree recalled on Thursday. “I said, ‘Lanny, what's going on?’ He said, ‘Man, I've got some news for ya.’ He said, ‘How you feeling?’

“And I said, 'Well, I'll be feeling a lot better if the news is good.’ But he said, ‘Yeah, you're going to be inducted.’ At that time, I was at a loss for words."

Now 83 years old, O’Ree is set to be inducted as part of a stacked Hall of Fame class alongside former greats such as Martin Brodeur and Martin St. Louis on Nov. 12 up in Toronto — with the former Bruin set to be recognized for his trailblazing efforts within the sport and his ongoing mission to make hockey accessible for all.

“It's starting to register with me,” O’Ree said Thursday. “You know, a lot of people told me years ago that I should have been in the Hall. But back then, it just went in one ear and out the other. I only played 45 games in the NHL with the Bruins. ... But what I'm doing now is the reason that I'm getting into the Hall as a Builder."

While O’Ree only spent two seasons up in the NHL with Boston, his impact is still felt today.

Since 1998, O'Ree has served as the NHL's Diversity Ambassador, spreading the message that hockey is for everyone. Working directly with non-profit grassroots hockey programs supported by the NHL, he travels across North America to share his story and experiences, helping underprivileged, marginalized and disadvantaged children build confidence, character and life skills.

O’Ree’s latest stop was in Boston on Thursday evening, as both he and the Bruins unveiled the brand-new Willie O’Ree Street Hockey Rink on Western Avenue in Allston.

Members of the Special Olympics Massachusetts street hockey team, SCORE Boston, and Allston Brighton Youth Hockey took part in the opening, with O’Ree still relishing the opportunity to interact with youth about the game that he still holds so dear.

Whether it be visits to youth hockey rinks, street hockey clinics, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, juvenile detention facilities and much more, O’Ree’s schedule is usually inundated with stops across the US and Canada, with the soon-to-be Hall of Famer harping on kids to follow their dreams, no matter how improbable they might be.

Along with enduring racism in the 1950s and 1960s as a pro hockey player, O’Ree also played with the Bruins while being legally blind in his right eye — a byproduct of getting hit with a puck years prior to his NHL debut.

“It’s a fun sport and the kids, they deserve to have the opportunity to come out and play and enjoy it. … Goal setting is very important," O'Ree said. "You need to set goals for yourself and work toward your goals. Don't let anyone tell you, you can't attain your goal. The doctor, when I lost my eye in my last year of junior, told me that I'd never play hockey again. He didn't know the burning desire that was inside and I just told him that I'm going to prove the doctor wrong, so I was able to go out and play pro hockey for 21 years."

For his tireless efforts both on and off the ice, O’Ree was recognized by the NHL last season with the introduction of the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award — given annually to the person who best utilizes hockey as a platform for participants to build character and develop important life skills for a more positive family experience.

“I think you can see what someone like Willie can mean to a lot of people in different communities across the country and across the globe for that matter,” Bruins president Cam Neely said. “I think the more that kids see that there's opportunities in all sports, I think it's great for our game."

With his induction less than two weeks away, O’Ree is keeping busy (per usual), but is taking the appropriate amount of time prepping for the event.

"Speech is going good,” O’Ree said. “I cut it down from eight (minutes) — you only have five minutes they allow you. It was eight minutes and 23 seconds. I've got it down to five minutes and 10 seconds. I think I've done pretty good. ... If the hook comes out, well ..."

While O’Ree became the first black player to play in the NHL back all the way back in 1958, he was quick to note that there’s still much more to be done to make hockey even more inclusive.

"I'd like to see more referees (of color), I'd like to see more referees or players and in management also,” O’Ree said. “Hopefully, one day, there will be an all-black line playing in the NHL. There's goals to be made and opportunities to be made. You just have to set your mind to it and say that you can make a difference. It's there."