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In 1950, Ebony magazine published an article concerning the possibility of black hockey players making the National Hockey League.
The article was titled, "Can Negroes Crack Big League Hockey?"
Clarence Campbell, who was the league president from 1946 to 1977, told Ebony on the subject:
The National Hockey League only has one policy: to get the best hockey players. There is no tacit or otherwise, which would restrict anyone because of color or race.
Eight years later, Willie O'Ree suited up for the Boston Bruins.