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How long was the longest undefeated streak in NHL annals?

With Pat Quinn behind the bench as coach and top-notch, feisty players such as Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, and Reggie Leach headmanning the attack on the ice, the Philadelphia Flyers put together an amazing streak of wins and ties that began on October 14, 1979, when they edged the Toronto Maple Leafs 4–3 and continued unbeaten until they were defeated by the Minnesota North Stars 7–1 on January 7, 1980. All told the Broad Street Bullies won 25 games and tied 10 during their streak.

Who was the first black player in the NHL?

Black players and managers have been noticeably absent from the NHL for much of its existence. Whether this had more to do with the fact that almost all big-league players before 1970 hailed from Canada and in those days the country had, relatively speaking, a small black population, or with the fact that there was an active colour barrier in place, is open to debate. But one thing isn’t subject to conjecture: Fredericton, New Brunswick– born Willie O’Ree was the first player of African descent to play in the NHL. The right winger’s stint in the major league was brief — he played two games for the Boston Bruins in January 1958 and 43 matches for the same team in 1960–61 — but his place in hockey history is significant. The New Brunswicker experienced much racial abuse at the hands of opposing players as well as fans, the latter insulting him by throwing black hats onto the ice. O’Ree may not have had a lengthy career in the NHL and only recorded 14 points in the big league, but he was a legend in the minors, playing in various leagues such as the American Hockey League and the Western Hockey League (largely for the San Diego Gulls) well into the 1970s. He did all this even though he was legally blind in one eye, due to an errant puck during a game when he was 18.

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