Boston Bruins Top 5 Defenseman Of All Time Ranked

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Robert Gordon “Bobby” Orr stated his NHL career with the Boston Bruins in the 1966-67 season. Orr was first tried out as a center as the Bruins did not think of him as a defenseman. In the pre-season Orr wore number 27. Then at the start he was offered number 5 Dit Clappers old number so instead Orr chose number 4. He made his début on October 19, 1966 against the Detroit Red Wings, he earned an assist. His first of many goals came on October 22, in a game against all time rivals the Montreal Canadiens.

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During his first year Orr was challenged by many veterans but showed that he deserved their respect by beating Canadiens tough Guy Ted Harris on October 4, 1966. Orr’s first problem came during a game against the Maple Leafs in December, 1966. Leafs Defenseman Marcel Pronovost hit Orr into the boards and so Orr’s knee injuries began. He missed 9 games and the Bruins lost 6 of them. Orr from then on was limited in seasons due to his knee injuries.

He hit his prime during the 1969-70 season. Bobby Orr doubled his scoring total from the previous season, as he scored 120 points. Orr then lead the Bruin to their fourth Stanley Cup with probably the most famous goal in all of hockey.

During the 1970-71 season, Orr and the Bruins crushed many of the standing offensive records. He finished second in scoring that year and set records for points in a season for defenseman and plus minus by any player with a plus 124.

In the 1971-72 season Orr led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup.

Orr played 10 years with the Bruins playing in 631 games. Orr scored 264 goals (8th), 635 assists (2nd) for 888 points which puts him fifth all time in Bruins History. He had a plus/minus of plus 589, that makes him first among Bruins.

Bobby Orr continued to play through the 1975-76 season with the Bruins. He then finished out his career in Chicago with the Blackhawks.

Orr retired in the 1978 season with the Blackhawks. At the time he retired he was the leader among defense in the NHL in goals, assists, ad points. Orr was inducted into the Hall Of Fame three years early as the Hall waived the three-year waiting period. He was 31, the youngest player living during that time to be inducted.

Orr’s number 4 was retired on January 9, 1979. Orr was not allowed to give his speech until he put his jersey on. His number 4 resides in the rafters of the Garden were it belongs. He will always be a Boston Bruin.

Bobby Orr is arguably the greatest defenseman who has ever walked this earth. This puts him in front of Bourque, and Chris Chelios and many others. As he basically invented the two-way defenseman play style.

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