MOSCOW, Jan 20 The first black player in the NHL, Willie O'Ree, who played for the Boston Bruins, will be awarded the Gold Medal, the highest honor of the US Congress, according to the league's website. On Wednesday, Democrats and Republicans unanimously supported the proposal to award O'Ree the Gold Medal (426-0). The US Senate approved this bill on July 27, 2021. It now has to be signed by President Joe Biden. The vote in the House of Representatives took place the day after the ceremony to retire O'Ree's number 22 in Boston. He became the 12th player in Bruins history to be so honored.
