In 1958, the Boston Bruins called up Willie O’Ree from the Quebec Aces as the Bruins needed to fill a spot due to injury. On January 18, 1958, O’Ree played in his first NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens and successfully broke the league’s colour barrier, becoming hockey’s version Jackie Robinson – although it was eleven years later.
Unlike when Robinson debuted in Major League Baseball, there was no controversy when O’Ree broke into the league – a testament, perhaps, to what Jackie Robinson accomplished. There was no rule preventing African-American players from playing in the NHL, which could explain why O’Ree’s accomplishment wasn’t treated as a very big deal at the time.