Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Fredericton Today: Unit X Instructor: Jack Watson 14 September 2011 Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Do you remember last week’s class tour of Willie O’Ree Place? With two full-sized skating rinks and a large walking track, it’s well-known to all Frederictonians. Here’s some information about the man whose name appears on the front of the building. Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Image courtesy of NB Sports Hall of Fame Born in Fredericton NB in 1935, Willie O’Ree proved to be a very capable hockey player. In those days, the best professional hockey players were in the National Hockey League, which had only six teams – so you had to be really good to play there. The print screen is on this page. Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Replica Willie O’Ree jersey at New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame On the 18th of January 1958, Mr. O’Ree made hockey history by suiting up for the Boston Bruins, becoming the first black player to take part in a National Hockey League game. For this accomplishment, he is known as the “Jackie Robinson of hockey,” honouring the famous player who broke baseball’s colour barrier. Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Willie O’Ree autograph. Photo on display at NB Sports Hall of Fame. His historic feat is even more remarkable because he played with only one eye. He never told anyone about his situation, knowing he would not be permitted to play if anyone found out. Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Willie O’Ree’s induction into the Order of Canada Here’s a report about Mr. O’Ree’s recent induction into the Order of Canada. Click on the screenshot on the left to hear the report. After the report, use your arrow key to move to the next slide. Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Image courtesy NB Sports Hall of Fame Mr. O’Ree retired from playing hockey some years ago. Click on the image on the left to find out what he’s doing now. Then use your arrow key to move to the next slide and read your team’s assignment. Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Now here’s your assignment: With your partner, develop a survey containing three to five questions. You should be able to answer these questions with ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘maybe.’ With your partner, ask these questions to ten people in the downtown area of Fredericton. Keep a tally of the answers you get. Be prepared to report your results in your next class. Good luck! Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca

Willie O’Ree Place: Honouring a True Champion Special thanks to The New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame Fredericton Today: jack.watson@unb.ca