Pens' Reaves told Willie O'Ree he'd score a goal for him ... and then he did
Ryan Reaves wasn't kidding.
The Pittsburgh Penguins grinder, who is black, followed through on a prediction to Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL's color barrier about 60 years ago.
"I met Ryan for the first time (Thursday) in the dressing room, and he told me he was going to get a goal for me, (and) he got a goal for me," O'Ree told Penguins TV's Celina Pompeani, not long after Reaves opened the scoring against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.
Here's O'Ree being interviewed at the game, and eventually confirming that Reaves predicted he'd light the lamp for the hockey icon.
Reaves on his goal: "With Willie O'Ree in the house, it was pretty special. He's a pioneer for players like me and it was nice getting him one."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 16, 2018
Read more about Reaves and O'Ree: https://t.co/nPnqalgEsL pic.twitter.com/ahWSEIGmOV
After the game, the Penguins forward expressed how special it was, but clarified that he didn't exactly make a guarantee.
"I cannot promise goals," Reaves said, according to Michelle Crechiolo of the club's official website.
"I don't know if you've seen my scoring touch," Reaves added jokingly. "But I said I was going to have a good game for him, hopefully get him one, and I did."
O'Ree is an official ambassador for the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone Month.