Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he keeps a signed hockey stick from 鈥渓iving legend鈥� Willie O鈥橰ee as a constant reminder of the work that remains to combat racism.
Trudeau added himself to a long list of people inspired by the life and career of O鈥橰ee, who in January 1958 became the first Black man to play in the NHL.
Both Trudeau and O鈥橰ee participated Monday in a virtual assembly with Canadian students, marking both the first day of Black History Month and the Canadian release of a new documentary about O鈥橰ee.
Trudeau said he keeps the stick O鈥橰ee gave him on a visit to Parliament Hill in 2018 next to his desk, where it represents the work still outstanding 鈥渢o make sure that our game, and our country, includes everyone.鈥�
鈥淥n a personal level, that hockey stick is a symbol of your incredible strength and perseverance and always a daily reminder in the work ahead of us to fight racism and discrimination,鈥� Trudeau told O鈥橰ee.
O鈥橰ee, now 85, played professional hockey for more than two decades, including 45 games for the Boston Bruins in 1958 and 1961. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, and later this month the Bruins will retire his sweater number.
O鈥橰ee looked delighted at the idea that his stick plays such a role for Trudeau. He said it is an honour to remain with hockey and continue to work with kids.
O鈥橰ee has been the NHL鈥檚 director of youth development and diversity ambassador since 1998. He said he decided when he was 14 that he wanted to be in the NHL, and that any young person with a big dream needs to remember hard work, and three specific words: choices, decisions and consequences.
鈥淚f you take a look at these words and the meaning of them I think that will help you in your daily life,鈥� he said.
Students from across Canada participated in the event, hosted by Classroom Connections, and were able to ask questions of Trudeau, O鈥橰ee and other participants.
Canadian Olympic medallist Sarah Nurse, a member of Canada鈥檚 hockey team at the 2018 Olympics, said O鈥橰ee opened doors for players like herself.
鈥淚鈥檓 just here to follow in Willie鈥檚 footsteps,鈥� she said, noting Willie鈥檚 story needs to be shared more.
Students asked O鈥橰ee several questions, including how he kept up his confidence, and whether he had ever experienced racism from his own teammates.
O鈥橰ee said that his teammates were always supportive but the film documents the racism he experienced throughout his life and career.
Last year, several NHL players spoke out about racism they had experienced and what they deemed lacklustre attempts to diversify the game.
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Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press
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