As he was developing his hockey skills as a youngster, Willie O'Ree believed he would have a chance to play in the National Hockey League some day. It never dawned on him that being black might be an impediment.

Born in 1935, O'Ree grew up in the small eastern Canadian city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, a place where racism was not an issue. He was a talented athlete and by the time he was 21 years old, he had the choice of pursing a professional career in hockey or in baseball.

He opted for the former, signing a contract with the Quebec Aces, a top farm team of the NHL's Boston Bruins

One season later, his boyhood dream came true. At least briefly.

The Bruins, an also-ran team throughout the 1950s, were hit by a rash of injuries midway through the 1957-58 season, and had to look to its minor-league system to help get them over the hump. O'Ree, in the midst of his second high-scoring season at Quebec was given the call. On January 18, 1958, wearing Boston uniform No. 22, he skated on to the ice at the Montreal Forum, becoming the first black man to ever play in the NHL.

O'Ree's stint with the Bruins lasted only two games, and it would take until 1961 for the Bruins to give him another shot. The second chance lasted only 41 games, during which O'Ree scored four goals and added 10 assists.

Boston sent him back to the minors and where he remained until he retired from professional hockey in 1974. Still, his impact on the game was lasting, and although it would take 25 more years for another black player to suit up in the NHL, today, there are nearly two dozen visible minority players in the league.

O'Ree continues to help the process, working for the NHL as director of youth hockey development for its diversity task force, a program designed to encourage more minority kids to play the game.

Today, young black hockey players have role models to follow. That wasn't the case for Willie O'Ree, but it did not prevent him from making hockey history during the week of January 17-23.

January 18
Henri Richard played in 10 All-Star games.	The NHL plays its All-Star Game at midseason for the first time on this date in 1967. Defending Stanley Cup-champion Montreal defeats the All-Stars 3-0 behind the combined shutout goaltending of Charlie Hodge and Gary Bauman. The game's MVP, Henri Richard, scored the winning goal in the first period.

January 19
The 1971 All-Star game was Gordie Howe's last as a Red Wing.(Allsport)	Nearly a quarter century after he made his debut, Gordie Howe is still playing and starring in the NHL. On this date in 1971, Howe sets another record by playing in his 14th consecutive All-Star game, eclipsing the mark of 13 held by Maurice Richard. Howe, playing for the East Division, did not score in a 2-1 loss to the West.

January 20

Darryl Sittler scored his 1,000th point in game No. 927.

Darryl Sittler was one of the classiest centers to ever play the game and he holds the record for scoring the most points in one game with 10. Although he spent most of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, on this date in 1983, Sittler reached a personal milestone while with the Philadelphia Flyers when he scored against Rejean Lemelin of Calgary. The goal was the 1,000th point of his career, making him the 17th player to reach that mark.

January 21

Michel Petit has a lot of stickers on his suitcase.(Allsport)

There were many teams interested in Michel Petit when he was available to be drafted in 1982. The Vancouver Canucks managed to snag him with their first choice, the 11th pick overall, but that didn't stop other clubs for getting their uniform on him over the next several years. In fact, on this date in 1997, Petit suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers, his record ninth NHL club. Petit wasn't finished, ending his career one season later after playing 32 games for team No. 10, the Phoenix Coyotes.

January 22

Mike Murphy had four seasons with at least 25 goals.

Nobody ever described Mike Murphy as a sharpshooter during the 12 seasons he played in the NHL, but the right wing did have some productive years with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1970s and early 1980s. One of his most memorable games took place on this date in 1976 when he scored four times against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team he would coach two decades later. Murphy had another four-goal game in 1979, again making the Toronto the victim.

January 23
Syd Howe scored three of Detroit's 15 goals.	Back in the 1940s, NHL teams did not dress more than one goaltender. It made things tough for netminders who had a bad night as Ken McAuley of the Rangers discovered on this date in 1944. McAuley had to endure the entire 60 minutes of play against the Detroit Red Wings who had 10 different players score in a 15-0 rout, the most one-sided game in NHL history.

Historical photos courtesy of Hockeyonline.com