Bruins to retire Willie O'Ree's number on Feb. 18

The Boston Bruins will honor Willie O'Ree by retiring his No. 22 jersey this season, the club announced on Tuesday.

His number will be raised to the rafters at TD Garden prior to the team's game versus the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 18.

O'Ree was the first Black player to appear in an NHL game, making history on Jan. 18, 1958. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 in the builder category.

"Willie's contributions to the game of hockey transcend on-ice accomplishments and have opened countless doors for players who have come after him. He is without question deserving of this honor," said Bruins president Cam Neely.

"Throughout the history of the National Hockey League, there have been very few individuals that have had such a profound impact on the league and its culture than Willie O'Ree," Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs added. "After breaking the color barrier as a Boston Bruin in 1958 and eventually retiring from professional hockey in 1979, Willie became the ultimate ambassador for improving diversity and inclusion within the game of hockey."

O'Ree will be the 12th player in franchise history to have his number retired. The 85-year-old played 45 career games for Boston.

Bruins newcomer Craig Smith was set to wear No. 22 this season but will now evidently need to find a new number.

The league announced on Monday that it will be releasing a custom helmet decal to honor O'Ree and Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate equality during the upcoming season. The decal will be featured on helmets starting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 16) and be worn through the end of Black History Month (Feb. 28).