Boston Bruins history was made fifty years ago when a young defenseman played his first game for the Black and Gold. That young blueliner was Bobby Orr.
Fifty years ago tonight, a young man skated in his first game representing the Boston Bruins. He earned a single assist in that game. That young man was Bobby Orr, and he made (with the possible exceptions of Art Ross and Milt Schmidt) the single greatest impact in the 93-year history of the Black and Gold.
“He’s the epitome of a Bruin.” Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid on Bobby Orr
Simply put, Bobby Orr was one of those rare players who changed how the game was played. He put up 915 points (645 goals) in his NHL career. In the 1970-71 season, he put up 139 points as a defenseman, something that no Bruins blueliner has yet to match (and likely never will).
He was the foundation of the Bruins success forty-five years ago. He was the big reason why the Bruins won Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972. While many of younger Bruins fans remember how the B’s won it all in 2011, the flying leap of Bobby Orr is the greatest single hockey memory of Bruins fans of my parents’ generation.
“From the first time I watched Bobby [Orr] skate I knew he was going to be the kind of player that comes along maybe once in a lifetime. He changed the game of hockey forever. What made Bobby so special, though, is that he is the nicest, kindest, most giving person you will ever meet. In my opinion, Bobby in number one in all categories, and it’s a joy to have him as a friend.”
That quote came from Gordie Howe. It’s fitting that one legend can best describe another.
Bobby Orr has been the role model for many of the Bruins players, especially the blueliners. They’ve all tried (to various degrees of success) to play the game in a way Number 4 would.
Current members of the Boston Bruins talked about Orr and how he changed hockey for the Black and Gold.
“He changed the way [hockey] was played,” said current Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. “The creativity and his ability to get up in the play, the dynamics of his game were special. It’s something we’re seeing even more and more of in the NHL today.
“He’s someone that I look up to and owe a lot to because without him there’s probably not space in the league for guys like myself. I remember the first time I shook his hand in the locker room before a game, it was a special memory I have,” said Krug. “He’s an awesome person and always has a smile on his face.”
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