The Los Angeles Kings marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day by having Willie O'Ree drop the puck in a ceremonial faceoff prior to Monday's game against Tampa Bay.
O'Ree, 81, made history by breaking the NHL's color barrier as a member of the Boston Bruins on Jan. 18, 1958.
Jeff Carter and Brian Boyle stood in in the absence of both team's injured captains.
Thank you, Willie O'Ree. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6mcPh1C1wo
— #LAKings (@LAKings) January 16, 2017
The Kings offered the following introduction prior to O'Ree's moment at center ice.
About Willie -- Hockey is for Everyone pic.twitter.com/unHI8fXxxs
— LAKingsPR (@LAKingsPR) January 16, 2017
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