Last night Willie O’Ree’s number 22 was lifted to the rafters and retired forever more. Mr. O’Ree was not in attendance but was able to add his remarks and watch via remote. When you’re nearly 85 years old and probably don’t want to travel as much due to Covid, you can do whatever you want. With he and his family watching, former Bruin Anson Carter along with some of the youth and graduates from Score Hockey lifted the banner in his honor.
An amazing honor.
On behalf of Willie O'Ree, B's alum @AnsonCarterLA and @scoreboshockey's Dallas Jackson, Toryn Jackson, Austin Nelson, and Donald Craft raised his No. 22 banner to the @tdgarden rafters.#NHLBruins | #Willie22 pic.twitter.com/hvJg10VbG8
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 19, 2022
I was lucky enough to be in attendance and I must admit, I did cry. It’s not often that you see a number retirement nor one for someone who has contributed so much to the game on and off the ice.
“I knew my heart would be with the Bruins forever."#NHLBruins | #Willie22 pic.twitter.com/PSBw5LZpoP
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 19, 2022
Well deserved, Willie. Congratulations and welcome to the club.#NHLBruins #Willie22 https://t.co/YrirMQ4Dhp
— Ray Bourque (@RayBourque77) January 19, 2022
Even Shawn Thornton was in town to see the number he once wore retired for Willie.
Tonight Willie O’Ree joined a legendary group of players who have had an enormous impact on our game. I was proud to also wear that #22 for the @NHLBruins and it’s amazing to see it here in the rafters in his honor along with my friend and colleague Brett Peterson. [1/2] pic.twitter.com/6Qia2X1IcJ
— Shawn Thornton FDN (@ThorntonFDN) January 19, 2022
Warmies for Willie.#NHLBruins | #Willie22 pic.twitter.com/lgvtMN1jDk
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 18, 2022
Then, it was a curious sight after the ceremony. Even though the Bruins had come out on to warm up in their special jerseys, they didn’t play a game. They certainly didn’t play terribly. They definitely didn’t play poorly defensively. Heck, Tuukka would never let in 5 goals on 12 shots in the first period alone.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I watched Vegas vs Pittsburgh yesterday and was surprised to here that Crosby, Malkin, and Letang have been together for 16 years, longer than any other trio in NHLhistory!
Boomer had a mishap climbing the bed stairs the other day and landed awkwardly on my left foot. It was painful but I was so desperate for some more sleep that I just got back into bed. At first the pain seemed to be superficial but I didn’t see any marks on my foot. But days later, I realise that he hit the spot of my once broken foot, which happened when our shelves in the laundry room relieved themselves of responsibility to stay on the wall and also of their contents. My foot was dented, y’all! Anyway, it’s not really swollen but every time I step down with shoes on, I feel it.
So climbing down all those stairs at the Garden yesterday didn’t help.
Good morning!
Great ceremony! Don’t think i’ll be watching the replay of that game, though. Gotta say, i had a feeling about it.
Windy AF today! Good day to stay inside. We were thinking of snowshoeing!
Morning all. All the stick taps to Willie O’Ree. And stick taps to Fenway Park for this classy gesture:
That first period is the most embarrassing period of Bruins hockey that I’ve seen in years.
Morning folks,
VA – I envy you being there for the ceremony. Must’ve been pretty special.
However, I pity you having to sit through the game – that part must’ve been torture!
It was!
It was!
I’m not the kind of fan to leave the building early just because my team is playing awful. But sitting through that game was a special kind of masochism that I thought I had left far behind. Nope. But I was sitting next to Statler or Waldorf, not sure which one but I am sure that Sis is the other one and I would now pay money to watch the Satansiblings watch a bad Bruins game together.
Cries in 2016 Winter Classic
Aw, I’m sorry. The game would not be a big showcase game.
Besides, the meetup after with OK Beer and Susanna Hoffski and the milkshake that brings all the goats to the yard was so best.