The U.S. Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, and the National Hockey League are pleased to present the critically acclaimed documentary Willie. Streaming will be available from Friday, February 19 (starting at 8:00 Universal Coordinated Time) to Saturday, February 27 (concluding at 7:59 Universal Coordinated Time).
On Jan. 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree – the descendant of escaped slaves – changed hockey forever.
Amidst the backdrop of America's tumultuous fight to end racial segregation and the dawn of the civil rights movement, Willie’s talents on the ice took him from his native Canada to the U.S. where he became the first black player to skate in a National Hockey League game.
He was blind in one eye – an extraordinary secret that only his sister knew. He played 45 games in the NHL and then 22 years of minor league hockey. Later, Willie sold cars, managed fast food restaurants, and worked security at a hotel. When he was asked to become the NHL's diversity ambassador in 1994, he was 60 years old. He took the job, and he has never stopped.
Now, 63 years after Willie broke the NHL's color barrier, a grassroots movement is working to get him into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Will he also break this barrier?
- Year2019
- Runtime90 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- DirectorLaurence Mathieu-Leger
- Co-ProducerLaurence Mathieu-Leger, Bryant McBride, Ebyan Bihi
- CinematographerLaurence Mathieu-Leger, Ninon Pednault
- EditorRosella Tursi (Lead), Laurence Mathieu-Leger
- ComposerJustin Melland
- Sound DesignFrançois Del Fante
The U.S. Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, and the National Hockey League are pleased to present the critically acclaimed documentary Willie. Streaming will be available from Friday, February 19 (starting at 8:00 Universal Coordinated Time) to Saturday, February 27 (concluding at 7:59 Universal Coordinated Time).
On Jan. 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree – the descendant of escaped slaves – changed hockey forever.
Amidst the backdrop of America's tumultuous fight to end racial segregation and the dawn of the civil rights movement, Willie’s talents on the ice took him from his native Canada to the U.S. where he became the first black player to skate in a National Hockey League game.
He was blind in one eye – an extraordinary secret that only his sister knew. He played 45 games in the NHL and then 22 years of minor league hockey. Later, Willie sold cars, managed fast food restaurants, and worked security at a hotel. When he was asked to become the NHL's diversity ambassador in 1994, he was 60 years old. He took the job, and he has never stopped.
Now, 63 years after Willie broke the NHL's color barrier, a grassroots movement is working to get him into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Will he also break this barrier?
- Year2019
- Runtime90 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- DirectorLaurence Mathieu-Leger
- Co-ProducerLaurence Mathieu-Leger, Bryant McBride, Ebyan Bihi
- CinematographerLaurence Mathieu-Leger, Ninon Pednault
- EditorRosella Tursi (Lead), Laurence Mathieu-Leger
- ComposerJustin Melland
- Sound DesignFrançois Del Fante