The Boston Bruins are a team that is known for its defense and not offense. Although some of the best wingers have played here in Boston. There are many great winger that have played for and are currently playing for the Boston Bruins. There can be only 5 that can make the list, who is it going to be?
Guidelines for list:
- Games played as a Bruin
- points
- Stanley Cups
Terry O”Reilly
Terry O”Reilly played on the Boston Bruins for 14 years. He appeared in 891 games with the B’s. O”Reilly was a first round pick, 14th overall on the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. O’Reilly played his entire career here in Boston, and serves as the Captain during the 1983-84 and 1985-86 seasons.
O’Reilly is most well-known for being on of the toughest players to play the game. He had 200 plus penalty minutes in 5 seasons. This earned him the nickname “Bloody O’Reilly” among the press. He also earned the nickname”Taz” from teammate Phil Esposito.
Although, known as a “tough guy”, he also had a scoring touch. He had a 90 points during the 1977-78 season. O’Reilly had 204 goals 402 assists for 606 points, and a plus 12 plus/minus. He also ended his career with 2095 penalty minutes, he ranks first among the Bruins. O’Reilly is 5 all time in scoring as well.
He was on the Stanley cup winning team during the 1971-72 season. O’Reilly was one of the best well-rounded players to play the game. For that reason his number 24 hangs in the rafters of the TD Garden.
Rick Middleton
Rick Middleton played in Boston for 12 seasons. Appearing in 881 games with the Bruins. Middleton was drafted by the New York Rangers 14th overall in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft.
During the 1975-76 season the Rangers traded Middleton to the Bruins for veteran winger Ken Hodge.
He usually played with Center Barry Pederson. Middleton had five straight seasons with at least 40 goals and 90 points. He was also given the “A” as co-captain and was to succeed Terry O’Reilly. His best season came in the 1981-82 season when he scored 51 goals, he was named to the All Star Team, and won the Lady Byng Trophy for excellence and sportsmanship.
The following season he led the team to their best regular season record, and set records that have yet not been beaten. One for most points scored in the playoffs by a player not advancing to the finals with 33 points and for a single playoff series. He scores 19 in the quarter finals against Buffalo Sabres.
Rick Middleton also played for team Canada in the Canada Cup in 1981 and 1984. He played on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Michel Goulet in 1984. Middleton had 4 goals and four assists.
Middleton finished his career with the Bruin with 402 goals 496 assists for 898 points. And a plus minus of plus 224.
During the 1986 Season, Middleton was hit in the head with a puck and missed the rest of the season with a concussion. He recovered the next season but finally retired in the 1988 season die to recurring headaches.
Wayne Cashman
Wayne Cashman played his entire 17 year career in Boston. Cashman played 1027 games. He was drafted in the 1964-65 season.
Cashman played the left-wing along side Phil Esposito and his other wingman Ken Hodge. His main role on the team was to go to the dirty areas to get the puck to Hodge and Esposito. He also server as bodyguard to Bobby Orr, and his centerman Esposito.
Cashman served as captain of the team from 1970 to 1972.
Cashman was an eight time 20 goal scorer. He did this four straight season with at least 100 or more penalty minutes. His best season was the 1973-74 season where he had 30 goals and 59 assists, and finished fourth in the league in points.
Wayne Cashman helped lead the Bruins to two Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972.
Cashman finished his career with 277 goals, 516 assists, for 193 points, with 1,041 penalty minutes, 5th all time on the Bruins.
Wayne Cashman retired after the 1983 playoffs where the Bruins were eliminated. He was the last active player from the Original Six era.
Cam Neely
Cam Neely played 10 years here in Boston. He played in 535 games. Neely was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks 9th overall in the 1983 NHL Draft.
Cam Neely came to the Boston Bruins Via trade from the Vancouver Canucks. The Bruins Received Neely and a first round 3 overall pick in the 1987 draft. The Canucks received Barry Pederson. The Bruins definitely won that trade.
Neely was one of the players who had tons of skill, but was not afraid of the physical aspect of the game. Cam was 6 ft 1 in 215 lbs. He was a big hitter and made sure the other teams knew it.
Neely’s best season was the 1993-94 season as he scored 50 goals in 44 games, only Wayne Gretzky has scored the same in fewer.
He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy which is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey”. Neely had come back after his many knee injuries*.
Cam Neely scored 344 goals, 246 assists for 590 point. He had 921 penalty minutes and a plus 138. Neely is 5th all time in goals among the Bruins, and 10th in points. He is 1st all time on the team in hat tricks with 13.
*Cam Neely was hit in the knee during game 3 of the 1991 Prince of Whales Conference Finals by Penguins Ulf Samuelsson. The hit was one of the most dirty hits ever. Neely only missed 22 games of the next two seasons. He would only play 162 more games due to the injury. Neely retired after the 1995-96 at 31.
Cam Neely is now the current President of the Boston Bruins, alongside teammate Don Sweeney who is the General Manager.
Johnny “The Chief” Bucyk
Johnny Bucyk played 21 season with the Boston Bruins. Playing in 1436 games, he ranks second behind Bourque in games played all time for the Bruins.
During his time Bucyk was one of the largest wingers in the league standing at 6′ 2” and weighing in at 215 lbs. He was what we know today as a Power Forward. He was not afraid to throw his body around, but was known for his scoring ability.
Bucyk’s best season was the 1970-71 season where he scored 51 goals and 65 assists. He had help from Bruins greats Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito.
Bucyk won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. He won twice first in 1971 and again in 1974.
He also helped the team win two Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972.
Johnny “The Chief” Bucyk scored 545 goals and 794 assists for 1339 points. Bucyk is 1st all time among the Bruins in goals. Also he is 2nd in assists behind Bourque, as well as points.
Next: Bruins Fail To Grab Momentum
Honorable Mentions
March Recchi, who helped bring the Cup back to Boston in 2011. Recchi should go to the Hall for he has won 3 Stanley Cups as a player and one as a development coach. He played for 22 years and played for 7 different teams. He had 627 goals in 602 games.
Sergei Samsonov, played with the Bruins for 8 years. He appeared in 514 games and scored 164 goals, 212 assists for 376 points. His rookie year the 1997-98 season he won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.