Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Height Weight	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 199 lb (90 kg)
Teams	Boston Bruins Chicago Blackhawks
Nationality	Canadian
Born	(1948-03-28)March 28, 1948, Parry Sound, ON, CA
Pro Career	1966 – 1978
Hall of Fame, 1979

Robert Gordon Orr (b. March 28th 1948 in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Black Hawks. He is widely considered as one of the best hockey players ever.

Playing Career

Orr displayed very high skills at a very young age. He was signed by the Boston Bruins as a twelve years old; he reached the Ontario Hockey Association two years later, playing against players who were 18, 19 and 20 and did just as fine as them. He led the Oshawa Generals to the OHA championship; the following year, his final as a junior (NHL rules stated that players had to be 18 to join the league), Orr averaged an incredible 2 points-per-game, which is especially special since he was a defenceman.

Orr won the Calder Memorial Trophy in his first season in the league, the 1966-67 season and was a Second Team All Star. While playing in an August 1967 charity game in Winnipeg, Manitoba to raise funds for the Manitoba Hockey Players Benevolent Association, Orr hurt his right knee. Surgery was not required but Orr wore a cast for five weeks. The knee healed in time for the regular season and Orr never had trouble with the right knee again.

After Brian Conacher broke Bobby Orr's nose, a bench clearing brawl broke out, November 5, 1967.

The November 6, 1967 match versus Toronto saw a bench clearing brawl at 5:28 of the second period. With the Bruins leading 1-0 on an Orr Power play goal, Leafs Brian Conacher was killing a penalty and dumped the puck into the Bruins zone as Orr approached him. Conacher's stick came up and broke Orr's nose. John McKenzie starting pummelling Conacher, who fell to the ice. Orr then joined in on beating Conacher, which resulted in the Leafs bench clearing, followed by the Bruins. It was the first bench clearing brawl in the league since December 6, 1963. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

In the 1967-68 season, he'd win the first of eight straight Norris Trophies, despite only playing 46 games, mainly due to a broken collarbone and the first surgery on his left knee. In 1969-70, he doubled his point production from previous season and finished atop the league's scorers. He became the first, and to date only, defenceman to be awarded the Art Ross Trophy given to the league's top scorer. That season, besides that trophy and the Norris, he also clinched his first of three straight Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP, and the Conn Smythe Trophy at the end of the playoffs to mark his outstanding play - he is the only player to have won four major trophies in one season in the NHL.

Orr scores "The Goal" winning the 1970 Stanley Cup.

In 1970-71, he finished second in league's scoring, while playing for the stars-loaded Bruins, he established still unbroken records for points in a season by a defenceman and for the best plus/minus ratio for any position (+124). The next season, he would win a second Stanley Cup, as well as another Conn Smythe.

The 1972–73 season saw upheaval for the Bruins. Former head coach Sinden returned to the club as the general manager. Bruins players Gerry Cheevers, Derek Sanderson and Johnny McKenzie joined the upstart World Hockey Association. Coach Tom Johnson was fired fifty-two games into the season, replaced by Bep Guidolin, who had once coached Orr. The Adams family, which had owned the team since its founding in the 1920s, sold it to Storer Broadcasting. The Bruins' season came to a premature end in a first-round loss in the 1973 Stanley Cup playoffs, losing Esposito to injury in Game 2 in that first round. Orr amassed 101 points during the regular season (he only played 63 games due to injury) but had only two points in the playoff loss.

Bobby Orr had a hat trick and 7 points, November 15, 1973.

In the 1973–74 season, Orr led the Bruins to another first-place finish. His point total rebounded to 122 with 32 goals and 90 assists. That season, Orr set the record (since surpassed) for the most points in a game by a defenceman, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists in a November 15, 1973 game against the New York Rangers. One goal, a shot from the blue line, broke the stick Rangers' defenceman Rod Seiling.

The Bruins made it to the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals, but lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. In game one, late in the third period tied at 2–2, Orr blocked the open Boston net with his leg to keep out a Flyers' shot on goal, then took the puck up the ice and scored on a slapshot past goaltender Bernie Parent with a little over a minute remaining in regulation time to propel the Bruins to a 3–2 win. In game five, Orr assisted on Boston's first goal with shorthanded rush, and scored the next two goals himself as the Bruins won 5-1. In the deciding game six, Orr was in the penalty box after a scuffle with the Flyers' Bobby Clarke and during the ensuring power play the Flyers scored (which turned out to be the Cup-winning goal), but with 4 seconds left and the Bruins trailing 1-0 Orr took a face-off and sent a desperation length of the ice shot that went just wide of the Flyers' net (goaltender Parent admitted "If his shot is on net, it's a goal").

In the 1974–75 season, Orr broke his own previous record for goals by a defenceman, scoring 46 goals to go with 89 assists for his sixth straight 100 point season. His record for goals by a defenceman stood until Paul Coffey totalled 48 in 1985-86. He won the league scoring title and the Art Ross Trophy for the second time. 1974–75 was his last full season and his last season playing with Esposito. The Bruins placed second in the Adams Division, and lost to the Chicago Black Hawks in the first round of the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs, two games to one. Orr had tallied 100 points in six straight seasons, a record for any player of any position, forward, or defencemen (since broken), although his teammate Esposito that season also achieved his sixth (and last) 100 point season, although only five of those were consecutive. There are only eight other seasons in history of defencemen scoring 100 points or more (Paul Coffey with five, Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis and Brian Leetch, with one each).

In 1976, the Bruins offered Orr one of the most lucrative contracts ever, a deal that included 18% ownership of the Bruins. However, his agent, Alan Eagleson, falsely told him that the Chicago Black Hawks had made him an even better offer; he also voluntarily omitted to mention to Orr about the ownership parts the Bruins offered. Thinking he was choosing the better side, Orr signed with Chicago. The lie was made public years later; it has been showed that Eagleson, who was also executive director of the NHLPA, frequently colluded with owners he favoured, in an effort to keep player salaries down. In this case, Eagleson had good relations with the Black Hawks owner, Bill Wirtz, and cheated in his advantage. It didn't pay off however for Wirtz and the Black Hawks as Orr, terribly diminished by the serious knee injuries he had to live with, only played 26 games as a Black Hawk over the course of three seasons, following which he retired in 1979.

After his retirement, the NHL waived the three year mandatory waiting period for him and he was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He later helped exposing the crimes of Eagleson, for which the later was sentenced to 18 months in jail (but only served 6).

Awards

• OHA First All-Star Team – 1964, 1965, 1966.
• Awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) in 1967, the youngest ever to win the award, and the youngest ever to win a major NHL award up to that time.
• Named to the Second All-Star Team in 1966–67 (his only full season when he did not make the First Team, as a rookie).
• Named to the NHL First All-Star Team eight times consecutively (1968-1975).
• Awarded the James Norris Trophy eight times (from 1968 to 1975, his last full season).
• Played in the NHL All-Star Game eight times (from 1968 to 1975).
• Won the Art Ross Trophy in 1969–70 and 1974–75.
• NHL Plus/Minus leader in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975, the most in history.
• Awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy three times consecutively (1970–1972).
• Awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1970 and 1972, the first two-time winner of the playoff MVP award.
• Stanley Cup winner in 1970 and 1972.
• Won Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year in 1970.
• NHL All-Star Game MVP in 1972.
• Received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award in 1970.
• Voted the greatest athlete in Boston history in the Boston Globe newspaper's poll of New Englanders in 1975, beating out baseball and basketball stars such as Ted Williams, Bill Russell, Carl Yastrzemski and Bob Cousy.
• Awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1975.
• Named the 1976 Canada Cup Tournament MVP.
• Awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1979.
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979, with the mandatory three-year waiting period waived, making him the youngest inductee at 31 years of age
• Voted the second greatest hockey player of all time by an expert committee in 1997 by The Hockey News. Orr is behind only Wayne Gretzky and ahead of Gordie Howe as well as being named the top defenceman of all time. Gretzky said he'd have voted for Orr, or for his hero, Gordie Howe.
• Ranked 31 in ESPN's SportsCentury: 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century in 1999.

Records and Former Records Held

• Most Career Goals by a Defenseman- 270 surpassed by Denis Potvin and currently held by Ray Bourque- 410

• Most Career Assists by a Defenseman- 645 surpassed by Brad Park and currently held by Ray Bourque- 1169

• Most Career Points by a Defenseman- 915 surpassed by Denis Potvin and currently held by Ray Bourque- 1579
• Most Career Goals by a Defenseman (including playoffs)- 296 (270 Regular Season & 26 Playoffs), surpassed by Denis Potvin and currently held by Paul Coffey- 455 (396 Regular Season & 59 Playoffs)
• Most Career Assists by a Defenseman (including playoffs)- 711 (645 Regular Season & 66 Playoffs), surpassed by Brad Park and currently held by Ray Bourque- 1308 (1169 Regular Season & 139 Playoffs)
• Most Career Points by a Defenseman (including playoffs)- 1007 (915 Regular Season & 92 Playoffs), surpassed by Denis Potvin and currently held by Ray Bourque- 1759 (1579 Regular Season & 180 Playoffs)

• Most Goals by a Defenseman in a Season- 46 in 1974-75 surpassed by Paul Coffey (48 in 1985-86)

• Most Assists in a Season- 102 in 1970-71 surpassed by Wayne Gretzky in 1980-81 record currently held by Gretzky (163 in 1985-86)

• Most Assists in a Season by a Defenseman- 102 in 1970-71

• Most Points in a Season by a Defenseman- 139 in 1970-71

• Highest Plus-Minus in a Season- +124 in 1970-71
• Highest Career Plus-Minus- +597 surpassed and currently held by Larry Robinson- +730
• Most Goals in a Season by a Defenseman (including playoffs)- 47 (46 Regular Season & 1 Playoff) in 1974-75 surpassed and currently held by Paul Coffey, 49 (37 Regular Season & 12 Playoff) in 1984-85 and (48 Regular Season & 1 Playoff) in 1985-86
• Most Assists in a Season by a Defenseman (including playoffs)- 109 (102 Regular Season and 7 Playoff) in 1970-71 tied with Paul Coffey, 109 (84 Regular Season & 25 Playoff) in 1984-85
• Most Points in a Season by a Defenseman (including playoffs)- 151, (139 Regular Season and 12 Playoff) in 1970-71 surpassed and currently held by Paul Coffey, 158 (121 Regular Season and 37 Playoff) in 1984-85

• Highest Points Per Game in a Career- 1.393 (915 Points in 657 Games) currently held by Wayne Gretzky- 1.921 (2857 Points in 1487 Games)

• Highest Assists Per Game in a Career- 0.982 (645 Assists in 657 Games) currently held by Wayne Gretzky- 1.320 (1963 Assists in 1487 Games)
• Fastest player to reach 400 Points- 333 GP, surpassed by Bryan Trottier (296 GP) and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (197 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 500 Points- 396 GP, surpassed by Bryan Trottier (362 GP) and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (234 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 600 Points- 461 GP, surpassed by Bryan Trottier (435 GP) and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (274 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 700 Points- 518 GP, surpassed by Bryan Trottier- (506 GP) and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (317 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 800 Points- 575 GP, surpassed and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (352 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 900 Points- 638 GP, surpassed and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (385 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 300 Assists- 346 GP, surpassed by Bryan Trottier (343 GP) and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (229 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 400 Assists- 437 GP, surpassed and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (290 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 500 Assists- 522 GP, surpassed and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (352 GP)
• Fastest player to reach 600 Assists- 608 GP, surpassed and currently held by Wayne Gretzky (416 GP)
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 200 points (21 years, 304 days) until he was surpassed by Pierre Larouche (21 years, 32 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 300 points (22 years, 268 days) until he was surpassed by Pierre Larouche (22 years, 133 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 400 points (23 years, 214 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (22 years, 239 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 500 points (23 years, 357 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (23 years, 208 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 600 points (24 years, 363 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (24 years, 187 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 700 points (25 years, 333 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (25 years, 190 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 800 points (26 years, 277 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (26 years, 162 days).
• He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 900 points (26 years, 218 days) until he was surpassed by Guy Lafleur (28 years, 121 days).

Trivia

• The Toronto Marlboros played an exhibition game against the Russian National Team on December 14, 1965. The Marlboros were augmented with junior stars from other teams including Bobby Orr, Serge Savard, Jean Pronovost, Derek Sanderson and Don Marcotte.

Gallery

Junior

Bobby Orr played his first full season of junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals in 1963-64.

Orr played 1 exhibition game for the Toronto Marlboros on December 14, 1965.

Orr was again voted to the OHA First All-Star team and had 93 points in 1965-66. The Oshawa Generals were Memorial Cup runner-ups.

1966-67

Bobby Orr wearing #19 during a team practice, September 1966.

Bobby Orr during an exhibition game against the Detroit Red Wings in Hamilton, Ontario, September 29, 1966.

New Bruins coach Harry Sinden with Bobby Orr and Gilles Marotte at training camp, October 10, 1966.

Joe Watson, Wayne Connelly, Ross Lonsberry, Bobby Orr and Ted Rodgson at Bruins training camp, October 10, 1966.

Bobby Orr impressed and had an assist in his first game, October 19, 1966.

Bobby Orr, Gerry Cheevers, Pit Martin, Joe Watson, November 10, 1966.

Bobby Orr ties the game up, February 4, 1967.

Bobby Orr scores, February 18, 1967.

Tom Williams, Harry Sinden, Pit Martin, Bobby Orr, Ron Stewart in the 1966-67 season.

Paul Henderson and Bobby Orr in 1966-67 season action.

Doug Mohns, Bernie Parent, Bobby Orr and #7 Phil Esposito in 1966-67 season action.

Tom Williams, Pete Stemkowski, Bobby Orr in 1966-67 action.

Bobby Orr accepts the Calder Memorial Trophy.

1967-68

Bobby Orr on crutches, August 1967.

Orr playing with a broken nose. Note that Gerry Cheevers hasn't painted stitches on his mask yet, November 8, 1967.

Frank Mahovlich breaks Bobby Orr's collarbone, December 9, 1967.

Bobby Orr and Pat Hannigan, January 4, 1968.

Eddie Shack, Bobby Orr, Pit Martin, Eddie Johnston, January 7, 1968.

Bobby Orr played in his first All Star game and suffered a shoulder injury, January 16, 1968.

Bobby Orr scores his last goal of the season, February 4, 1968.

1967-68 season trophy winners Derek Sanderson and Bobby Orr.

1968-69

Bobby Orr started the 1968-69 season after a second knee surgery.

Bobby Orr after his first hat trick, all 3 goals assisted by Ed Westfall, December 14, 1968.

The Bruins defeated the Oakland Seals 9-0 on February 27, 1969.

Bobby Orr sets the record for most goals by a defenseman in a season, March 20, 1969.

Bobby Orr and Gerry Cheevers during the 1968-69 season. Note the beginning of the stitches on Cheever's mask.

Bobby Orr after being knocked out by Pat Quinn, Quarter-finals Game 1, April 2, 1969.

Bobby Orr confronts Pat Quinn, April 2, 1969.

Ed Westfall scores the first goal of Semi-finals Game 4, April 20, 1969.

Clarence Campbell presents trophies to Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr for the 1968-69 season.

1969-70

Bobby Orr opens the scoring, October 22, 1969.

Barry Wilkins, Henri Richard, Fred Stanfield, Eddie Johnston, Bobby Orr, November 29, 1969.

John McKenzie scores, assisted by John Bucyk and one of Bobby Orr's 5 assists, December 20, 1969.

Bobby Orr sets up Derek Sanderson for the game winner, December 28, 1969.

Bobby Orr scores on Rogatien Vachon, January 31, 1970.

Bobby Orr shows his strength, scoring on February 21, 1970.

Bobby Orr scores his 100th point of the season while shorthanded, March 15, 1970.

Bobby Orr caps a four point game with a solo rush goal, March 22, 1970.

Bobby Orr scores on Marv Edwards, April 4, 1970.

Bobby Orr checked by four Canadiens during the 1969-70 season.

Bobby Orr, Tim Horton, Ron Ellis, Bruce Gamble during the 1969-70 season.

Bobby Orr makes it 3-1 Bruins, Game 1 of the Quarter-finals, April 8, 1970.

Bobby Orr's solo rush opens the scoring during Game 5 of the 1970 Quarter-finals, April 14, 1970.

Bobby Orr opens the scoring, Game 2 of the 1970 Semi-finals, April 21, 1970.

Bobby Orr's rush results in Boston's 4th goal, Game 3 of the 1970 Semi-finals, April 23, 1970.

Bobby Orr's shorthanded rush makes it 3-0 Boston, Game 2 of the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals, May 5, 1970.

Bobby Orr scoring the 1970 Cup winning goal, May 10, 1970.

Bobby Orr scoring the 1970 Cup winning goal, May 10, 1970.

Bobby Orr with the Stanley Cup, May 10, 1970.

Bobby Orr celebrates, May 10, 1970.

1970-71

Phil Esposito assists on a Bobby Orr goal, October 16, 1970.

Bobby Orr opens the scoring, November 22, 1970.

John Bucyk scores his 20th from Bobby Orr, December 30, 1970.

Bobby Orr from Derek Sanderson, January 23, 1971.

Bobby Orr's second goal of the game, February 3, 1971.

Bobby Orr, Don Marcotte and Sabres goalie Joe Daley, February 6, 1971.

Bobby Orr ties his record for goals in a season, March 10, 1971.

Bobby Orr from Ken Hodge, March 21, 1971.

Phil Esposito scores his 72nd goal, April 3, 1971.

Bobby Orr's 100th assist on Ken Hodge's goal, April 3, 1971.

Bobby Orr opens the scoring, Game 1 of the 1971 Quarter-finals, April 7, 1971.

Wayne Cashman from Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr, Game 2 of the 1971 Quarter-finals, April 8, 1971.

First goal of Bobby Orr's hat trick, Game 4 of the 1971 Quarter-finals, April 11, 1971.

Ed Westfall's short handed goal from Bobby Orr, Game 5 of the 1971 Quarter-finals, April 13, 1971.

1971-72

Eddie Johnston, Phil Goyette, Bobby Orr, October 14, 1971.

Bobby Orr scores, October 31, 1971.

John Bucyk scores the game winner from Bobby Orr, November 20, 1971.

Bobby Orr scores, Game 3 of the 1972 Quarter-finals, April 8, 1972.

Bobby Orr sets up Phil Esposito for the tying goal, Game 4 of the 1972 Quarter-finals, April 9, 1972.

Frank St. Marseille, Bobby Orr, Eddie Johnston, Game 1 of the 1972 Semi-finals, April 18, 1972.

Bobby Orr sets up John Bucyk to open the scoring, Game 2 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, May 2, 1972.

Bobby Orr scores, Game 3 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, May 4, 1972.

Bobby Orr factored in every Bruins goal, Game 4 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, May 7, 1972.

Glen Sather, Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr, Game 5 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, May 9, 1972.

Bobby Orr scores his second Stanley Cup winning goal, Game 6 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, May 11, 1972.

1972 award winners Tony Esposito, Jean Ratelle, Bobby Orr, Ken Dryden.

1972-73

Bobby Orr returned to the line-up and assisted on a goal by Ken Hodge, October 21, 1972.

Bobby Orr scores on his second return to the line-up, November 18, 1972.

One of four points by Bobby Orr, November 30, 1972.

Bobby Orr scores the winner from Phil Esposito, December 29, 1972.

Bobby Orr scores on Jacques Caron, January 4, 1973.

Wayne Cashman had a hat trick, January 28, 1973.

Bobby Orr from Phil Esposito, February 15, 1973.

Bobby Orr scores against the Flames, March 9, 1973.

Bobby Orr scores a 200 foot goal, March 15, 1973.

Bobby Orr's incredible assist to John Bucyk, March 22, 1973.

Gregg Sheppard scores the winner from Bobby Orr, March 24, 1973.

Bobby Orr scores his third goal, March 31, 1973.

Bobby Orr scores, Game 5 of the 1973 Stanley Cup Quarter-finals, April 10, 1973.

1973-74

Bobby Orr assists on Phil Esposito's 400th goal, October 10, 1973.

Rich LeDuc tips in Bobby Orr's point shot, October 21, 1973.

Bobby Orr sets up Phil Esposito, October 27, 1973.

Bobby Orr sets up the winning goal by Dave Forbes, November 8, 1973.

Bobby Orr scores the winner from Don Marcotte, December 8, 1973.

Crazy deflection on a Bobby Orr goal, December 15, 1973.

The Bruins wore jerseys with names on the back for the first time, January 4, 1974.

Ted Irvine, Gilles Gilbert, Bobby Orr, Dallas Smith, January 4, 1974.

Gregg Sheppard from Bobby Orr, January 24, 1974.

Bill White trips Bobby Orr who is ejected after protesting referee Wally Harris' non-call, January 24, 1974.

Bobby Orr sets up Don Marcotte, February 16, 1974.

Bobby Orr's second goal of the game, March 21, 1974.

Bobby Orr scores, Game 4 of the 1974 Quarter-finals, April 14, 1974.

Wayne Cashman opens the scoring from Bobby Orr, Game 1 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals, May 7, 1974.

Bobby Orr scores the winner, Game 1 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals, May 7, 1974.

Bobby Orr and Bobby Clarke, 1974 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5, May 16, 1974.

1974-75

1974-75 Bobby Orr OPC card.

1975-76

Bobby Orr and Brad Park play together, November 16, 1975.

See Also

• Magazine covers

External Links

Bobby Orr's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database