"The important thing is that we watch each others backs out on the ice. That's what matters."
-Zdeno Chara
As the years progressed the NHL did as well. On January 18, 1958 the Boston Bruins signed the first African American pro hockey player, Willie O'Ree, to their roster. Following the Bruins' historic pick, more black and persons of color players were drafted in to NHL. From there, women leagues took off, more colleges began to create teams, and hockey became an official Olympic sport. In 1992, Manon Rheaume was the first woman to play in the NHL as a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Everyone who wanted to play hockey had a team they could join.
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