UNB hosts debut of Willie O’Ree documentary, Willie
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Sep 16, 2019
Category: UNB Fredericton
The University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus is hosting the sold-out debut screening of Willie, the 89-minute documentary chronicling the life of Willie O’Ree, as part of the Halifax-based FIN Atlantic Film Festival.
Willie is being premiered at UNB on Monday, Sept. 16, in partnership with the National Hockey League, Burst productions and the FIN International Film Festival.
The film tells the story of the 83-year-old icon from Fredericton, tracing his heritage and his history and his impact on the game of hockey. O’Ree broke the black colour barrier in the NHL on Jan. 18, 1958 when he hit the ice with the Boston Bruins.
O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2018.
The Willie O’Ree Youth and Education Fund, administered by the Fredericton Community Foundation, has also been set up and will disburse funds to projects and programs that support youth and education in the Greater Fredericton region.
Media contact: Sonya Gilks
Photo: Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the NHL, speaking after the Fredericton premiere of his documentary, Willie. L-R: Moderator Andy Campbell, O’Ree, Willie director Laurence Mathieu-Léger, and executive producer Bryant McBride. Credit: Kevin Barrett.