elected to the hockey hall of fame, o ree, now 86, has worked tirelessly to make hockey a game for everyone a mentor with the nhl s diversity program, he gives some sage advice. if you think you can, you can. if you think you can t, you re right. and it s true. reporter: he remains a role model to the more than 100 black players who followed him into the nhl. thank you for being a role model. thank you, willie thanks, willie. reporter: willie o ree, the youngest of 13 kids, who overcame all obstacles to make it to the nhl. retiring willie s jersey is really sending a message if you come and you make a change by just either being a woman, a transperson, a person of color in a sport where we ve never seen that, that should be celebrated and remembered reporter: tonight his black and gold bruins jersey, number 22, will be raised to the rafters. kevin tibbles, nbc news and that s nightly news. thank you for watching, everyone i m lester holt. please take care of yourself