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Willie O’Ree, 1st Black NHL player, getting Congressional Gold Medal
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 27: Former NHL player Willie O'Ree attends the NHL and the Los Angeles Kings unveiling of renovated indoor and outdoor spaces at the Crenshaw Family YMCA as part of the 2017 NHL All-Star Legacy Project at the Crenshaw Family Willie O’Ree, the first Black player to appear in an NHL game, will be receiving a Congressional Gold Medal. President Joe Biden signed the bill Monday, saying O’Ree will receive the award "in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity."The honor for O’Ree comes one day before the start of Black History Month, an annual celebration honoring achievements by Black Americans. Sixty-four years ago, O’Ree became the first Black player to play in the NHL and has since worked for several decades as a diversity ambassador to the league.He suited up on Jan.