A Fredericton woman is spearheading efforts to have hockey player Willie O’Ree inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Brenda Sansom says it all started in January when O’Ree was celebrated in Boston for having broken the colour barrier in the NHL 60 years ago.
Sansom says she’s been overwhelmed with letters of support and notes of encouragement — she’s received about 200 letters and citizen comment cards so far.
“What we’re surprised by is the excitement that’s been demonstrated by those who are supporting Willie,” says Sansom. “In some cases, they’re surprised that he isn’t in the [Hockey] Hall of Fame already.”
Former NHL players Gerry “Red” Ouellette, Danny Grant and Mike Eagles are among those to share letters of support, along with Premier Brian Gallant, former premiers David Alward and Frank McKenna, and Senator David Adams Richards.
Fredericton city council has also drafted a letter and gave residents the chance to fill out citizen comment cards over the March Break.
Sansom says the city has offered to compile the information into an electronic document, which will be sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame this week.
“When you look at his hockey profile, when you look at what he has done for young people, you look at the journey that this man has travelled, he should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame,” she says.
Sansom says she expects to hear back about her application sometime in June.
(Photo: New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame)
