Fredericton NHLers to be honoured in new sportsplexes

A pair ofnew sports complexes in Frederictonwill be named after the city's two best-known hockey stars.

Following a presentation from a citizens group last night, the city council agreed to honour past NHLers Willie O'Ree and Danny Grant.

Mayor Brad Woodside saida recently opened north-end complex will be named for African-Canadian O'Ree, known as the Jackie Robinson of hockey for being the first black player in the National Hockey League.

The ceremony will be held next January, the 50th anniversary of O'Ree's colour-barrier-breakingfirstNHLgameas awingerfor the Boston Bruins.

The mayor said the naming will put Fredericton in the national spotlight.

Bob Kenney, one of several people who urged city councillors to name the new sportsplexes after the hockey heroes, said he agrees.

"No question about it. I mean, it's above hockey —it's overcoming a racial barrier. That is a very tough barrier to overcome, and Willie did it."

The ceremony to namea south-side complex after Grant will be held after that facility is completed in a year and a half.

The Fredericton-born hockey star was the NHL's rookie of the year in 1969.He played right wing for the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings.

There has been talk of finding a corporate sponsor for the sportsplexes. Woodside saidit's still on the table.

"The naming of these two facilities will not preclude corporate sponsorship in terms of an agreement we might come to reach in the future."