NHL creates helmet decal to honor Willie O'Ree, MLK

The NHL will be releasing a custom helmet decal to honor Hall of Famer Willie O'Ree and Martin Luther King Jr. as a celebration of equality during the upcoming campaign.

The design will be featured on helmets for games starting on Martin Luther King weekend, which begins Jan. 16, and will continue to be worn through the end of Black History Month (Feb. 28).

Commissioner Gary Bettman today announced that the NHL has created a custom helmet decal that pays tribute to Hockey Hall of Famer Willie O'Ree and Martin Luther King, Jr., through the theme of Celebrating Equality. pic.twitter.com/Xkrw57JIoy

- NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 11, 2021

O'Ree became the first Black player to feature in an NHL game on Jan. 18, 1958, which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021.

The 85-year-old played 45 career games for the Boston Bruins and was inducted as a builder into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

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