Penguins' P.O. Joseph Meets Willie O'Ree at NHL Awards
The young Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman had a moment he won't soon forget meeting a hockey icon.
There wasn’t much representation from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2023 NHL Awards, but it was still a successful night for the team.
Penguins’ defensemen Kris Letang and P.O. Joseph attended the show in Nashville with Letang walking away as the winner of the Bill Masterton Trophy.
While Letang left with some new hardware, Joseph had his own personal moment with a legend of the game.
Prior to the presentations, Joseph met with Willie O’Ree, known for being the first black player in NHL history.
Joseph spoke about Letang’s season and why he was deserving of winning the Masterton Trophy, but meeting O’Ree was more nerve-racking to the young defenseman.
O’Ree means so much for players of color in the NHL, and Joseph is no different; Joseph was wearing a suit with prominent black athletes lining the inside, and O’Ree was among them.
Joseph got his suit signed by the Hall of Famer in a moment he’ll never forget; Joseph said he’ll never wash that suit again.
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