Motor City Gamblers Owner, Associate Coach McCrimmon Named Finalist For NHL Willie O’Ree Award

By USPHL Staff

Motor City Gamblers Owner and Associate Coach Jason McCrimmon has been named as one of three finalists for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, it was announced on April 3 on NHL.com. This award includes a fan vote, so we hope all those reading this will vote for Jason at https://www.nhl.com/fans/willie-oree-community-hero-award. 

The NHL produced a finalist documentary video on Jason, which can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhl.com/video/community-hero-mccrimmon/c-16305144?tcid=tw_video_content_id

Additional Video On All Three Finalists:

In the video, you will hear from Jason McCrimmon, Gamblers Head Coach Sam Shaheen, Jason’s mother and many others on the work he’s done in the Detroit hockey community to introduce hockey to Detroit youngsters from all walks of life and foster a love of the game within each, while extending his community service far beyond the rink. The USPHL is extremely proud of Jason McCrimmon and the work he has done with Detroit Ice Dreams as well as the Gamblers, and wish him the best of luck in the final Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award Vote. Vote today!

The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award is named for Willie O’Ree, the first player of African descent to play in the National Hockey League, making his league debut in 1958. He went on to play in 45 NHL games, part of a pro career that stretched from 1957 to 1979. His greatest impact on the game may arguably have come since his retirement, as he has worked tirelessly to expand hockey’s footprint to players of all races, genders and economic means, growing hockey exponentially in the process. He is a Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Member in the Builders Category and a past winner of the Lester Patrick Award for Outstanding Contribution to Hockey In The United States. He has worked for the last 25 years, since 1998, as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador.