Over the past year I have asked a number of questions dealing with the potential Hall of Fame candidacy of such players as Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin, Mike Modano, and Sergei Fedorov. This time I go that same route with Willie O'Ree. While he didn't have as similar of a career as his fellow NHL contemporaries, O'Ree has three factors in his favor: the fact that in 1958 he became the first black NHL player, crossing the so-called color barrier in the league; putting up great numbers in the minor leagues (keep in mind that Vladislav Tretiak and Valery Kharlamov are in the Hall, yet have never played in the NHL); and doing wonders in developing programs for minorities in the U.S. and Canada.
That being said, is O'Ree a worthy candidate for the hockey (not strictly NHL) Hall of Fame?
2007-10-17 11:32:14 · 12 answers · asked by Snoop 5 in Sports ➔ Hockey
No.
Willie O'Ree is in the Hall of Fame for breaking the colour barrier, just as Paul Henderson is in the Hall of Fame for a goal heard from coast to coast. But neither player had careers worthy of the Hall of Fame (and in the case of Willie O'Ree, I'm not sure he would have made it to the NHL had he not played in Boston's system). Personally, having played against him, I think I was better. I played more exhibition games than he did (6 compared to 4) and we have the sam,e amount of exhibition points (a big fat 0).
But, as an exhibit and piece of history, O'Ree is there and he belongs there. From the standpoint of his career. It was nothing memorable. he has also been nominated for the Order of Canada but after perusing the list of recipients, he has yet to receive it. Recently a new arena in Fredericton, New Brunswick was named in his honour. So, he's received some honours for his pioneering work......but no NHL hockey cards bear his likeness aside from th 1960-61 team picture of the Bruins
2Eighty8
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a physical building, with artifacts. Willie O'Ree's first game is documented within that building. Just as is Paul Henderson. It is one thing to be IN the Hall of Fame............it is a totally different thing to be a MEMBER of the Hall of fame. Ian Turnbull is "IN" the Hall of Fame for scoring 5 goals in a game as a defenceman. Ian Turnbull is NOT a member however (nor should he be - even though he also has a 4 goal game to his credit). The Hockey Hall of Fame celebrates moments and players whether they are members or not. Members are a different story.
2007-10-17 14:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good points, but no. If any black player from that time should be in the Hall, and going by your pre-requisites, it should be Herb Carnegie. I've said these many times: Jean Beliveau was quoted saying that Carnegie was better than he was while he was playing for the Quebec Aces. Conn Smythe was also quoted saying that he would give "$10, 000 to any man who can turn Carnegie white." THAT's how good he was.
If we're talking about skills and talent, I honestly think that Carnegie is better than O'Ree, he has made a longer-lasting impact on the hockey world such as the Junior Aces, for example (where Anson Carter started playing hockey). I should really ask that...
Habsburg: there was a huge colour barrier back then. O'Ree broke it in '58 by playing just a few games for the Bruins. The NHL is now known as the last pro sports league (out of the four) to break it.
Good point, PuckDat. If O'Ree should be in the Hall, it should be in the builders.
You know what the weird thing is? Neither of them is in the Hall. I would've thought Carnegie would've been in there as a builder for the Junior Aces, but nope.
LITY: I'm looking through the Hall site now and there's no O'Ree or Carnegie anywhere.
OHHHHHHHHHH.....okay, LITY...I was thinking of it in a different context...I gotcha.
2007-10-17 12:09:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. I don't think race, nationality or ethnicity should be used as a criteria. Jackie Robinson made the Baseball Hall of Fame because he put up great numbers in his playing days, not just for being the first black player in the majors.
If you use the minor league numbers as a criteria, you might as well put Peter White or Mitch Lamoreaux in there.
Tretiak and Kharlamov are there because, in their day, Russia's national team was a juggernaut on the world stage, not in some minor league, at a time when it was next to impossible for Russians to play in the NHL. Were there never a cold war, you can bet they'd have put up some serious NHL stats.
2007-10-17 11:41:56 · answer #3 · answered by MoltarRocks 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is the Hockey Hall of Fame not the NHL Hall of Fame which accounts for the two soviet players you mentioned.
I was on the fence with O'Ree. In addition to breaking the color barrier, Jackie Robinson also put up HOF numbers. After reading the purpose statement on the HHOF website, I am no longer undecided, I feel he should get in. This statement in particular changed my mind.
"HHFM will collect, preserve, research, exhibit and promote all those objects, images and histories which are determined to be significant to the story of ice hockey in Canada, and throughout the world."
Habs: I agree with you that race, religion, etc. should not have any bearing on induction or any other aspect of life but breaking the race barrier in the NHL is a significant historical event in the game.
2007-10-17 11:44:43 · answer #4 · answered by Lubers25 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes O'Ree should be in the hall. He has done a lot to bring the game to everyone. He will probally go in the builders category. Though as a player he was not too shabby. I have met him and he is a great ambassador for the sport.
2007-10-17 13:16:44 · answer #5 · answered by Kimmy (Will not back down) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A guy shouldn't get in just because of his race but what O'Ree has done since he left playing the game should qualify him as a builder.
2007-10-17 12:06:45 · answer #6 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes-Henderson made it even though he was a journeyman player who impacted the history of the game-so should O'Ree.
2007-10-17 12:14:55 · answer #7 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
-HBK- of course -HHH- of course -Y2J- of course -cena- definite even although he shouldn't. -batista- comparable element as Cena. extremely would not deserve it. -the hardys- definite there TLC fits have been super and that they seem to be a super tag team -cm punk- uncertain yet. To early -rey mysterio- possibly, rather particular he will. -undertaker- of course -kane- possibly
2016-10-07 03:07:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to put em in there. i mean come on, they've done it for every other sport. you have to have the first black man in the NHL in the hall
2007-10-17 11:47:53 · answer #9 · answered by Ben 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
great question..he should be recognized for his historic contribution to hockey. it isn't always about numbers.
2007-10-17 14:10:58 · answer #10 · answered by KT 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋