Willie O'Ree named to the Order of Canada

Sixty Canadians were appointed the Order of Canada on Tuesday, including two of Canada's most famous singers, a former deputy prime minister and the NHL's first black player.

Fredericton,Ontario native Willie O'Ree made his professional hockey debut with the Boston Bruins on Jan. 18, 1958, and was the first black player to play in the NHL.

The 73-year-old became a Member of the Order of Canada on Tuesday, along with 41 others.

Sometimes referred to as "The Jackie Robinson of Hockey" for breaking the NHL color barrier, O'Ree was inducted "for his pioneering contributions to the development of professional hockey and for his tireless dedication to promoting the sport to minority youth in Canada and the Untied States," according to a release on the Governor General's website.

After O'Ree, there were no other black player in the NHL until fellow Canadian Mike Marson was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1974. There are 17 black players in the NHL as of the mid-2000s, the most prominent including Canadians Jarome Iginla and Anson Carter and American Mike Grier (who is currently on the San Jose Sharks).

Retired Liberal senator Allan MacEachen, 87, was one of 14 Canadians awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada -- the second-highest level of recognition within the Order of Canada.

MacEachen, who is also a former deputy prime minister, was recognized "for his highly distinguished career of public service, notably as a long-serving senator and as a cabinet minister, where he played key roles in instituting important changes to national health, pension and social security policies."

His Trudeau-era colleague and fellow cabinet minister Iona Campagnolo, 76, was also awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada "for her contributions to her province and to the nation as a former lieutenant governor, member of Parliament and cabinet minister, and for her continued work and dedication as a volunteer, notably in the areas of human rights and the environment."

Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion and famed tenor Ben Heppner each were awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada -- the highest level of membership that can be awarded to any Canadian.

Dion was recognized for "having won over audiences worldwide with her extraordinary talent as a pop singer, and for her commitment to numerous humanitarian causes at the national and international levels."

And Heppner received the award "for his continued role as a premier musical ambassador for Canada, who has reached the pinnacle of his profession and who is equally renowned for his generosity of spirit as for his abilities as a tenor."

Investors Stephen Jarislowsky and Peter Munk also became Companions of the Order of Canada, each being recognized for their philanthropic efforts.

In total, 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada were made on Tuesday, including four Companions, 14 Officers and 42 Members.