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AHL San Diego Gulls

San Diego Gulls to Honor Willie O'Ree Friday, November 16

November 15, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Gulls announced today that the American Hockey League (AHL) club will honor 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Willie O'Ree by hosting Willie O'Ree Night this Friday, Nov. 16 vs. the Bakersfield Condors at Valley View Casino Center (7 p.m.). Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:55 p.m. for an on-ice ceremony honoring O'Ree, where he will also address the crowd.

All fans in attendance will receive a free Willie O'Ree commemorative bobblehead, the first-ever bobblehead created of O'Ree.

This special night will pay tribute to O'Ree, who made hockey history on Jan. 18, 1958 when he became the first black player to play a National Hockey League (NHL) game with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum. O'Ree played 45 career NHL games with Boston, and also became the first black player to score an NHL goal on Jan. 1, 1961.

Since 1998, O'Ree has worked as the NHL's Diversity Ambassador for the Hockey Is For Everyone initiative. Through his role with Hockey is For Everyone, O'Ree has helped introduce more than 120,000 boys and girls of diverse backgrounds to unique hockey experiences and served economically disadvantaged youth throughout the U.S. and Canada.

O'Ree also played 407 games over seven season with the San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League from 1967-1974. His jersey number (20) hangs in the rafters of Valley View Casino Center.

The Gulls will wear throwback jerseys the entire game that match the jersey O'Ree wore for the WHL Gulls. Select game-worn Gulls jerseys will be autographed and available for a silent auction during the game on the concourse at Section 10. In addition, a game-worn jersey raffle will begin at 6 p.m. for $10 per ticket and end at the conclusion of the second period. A select number of game-worn jerseys, in addition to player-worn hats and sweatshirts, will be available via the DASH Auction app, a digital auction platform. Fans can text DASH to 66866 to download the app. All proceeds raised will benefit the San Diego Gulls Foundation.

The San Diego Gulls Foundation will host its second Surprise Puck sale with pucks commemorating O'Ree. Surprise Pucks will be available for $20 at the San Diego Gulls Foundation booth on the concourse at Section 10. Fans can select pucks at random, with eight surprise pucks including an additional gift, including a private meet and greet with O'Ree during the first intermission. A limited number of pucks are available (limit five per purchase).

Five lucky winners will randomly find a special "GULL"den ticket in their bobblehead box that can be redeemed at the Section 9 Marketing Table on the concourse for four lift tickets to Snow Valley Mountain Resort and a pair of tickets to ALT 949's Not So Silent Night. One Grand Prize Winner will also receive four upgraded seats for Friday's game. A special O'Ree themed game program showcasing O'Ree's career and his Hockey Hall of Fame speech will also be handed out to all fans upon entry.

A limited number of tickets for Willie O'Ree Night are still available. Individual game tickets can be purchased through SanDiegoGulls.com/tickets, by calling (844) GO GULLS or in person at the Valley View Casino Center Box Office. Tickets sold at the box office are first-come, first-served.

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