DRAMAKILLER's blog: "boston sports"

he Boston Bruins entered the National Hockey League in 1924. They were the leagues'first expansion team, and the first U.S. based NHL team. The first year they won only six of thirty games, but they rose quickly and won their first of five Stanley Cups 1929.

Their first star player was defenseman Eddie Shore who came to the team in 1926. He led the Bruins to eleven playoff appearances in his thirteen seasons. The Bruins won their second Championship in 1939 with Shore as the captain.

In the 1940's Milt Schmidt was the star leading Boston to a Stanley Cup victory in 1941. At the end of his Hall of Fame career in 1954, Schmidt became coach of the Bruins. Later he became the general manager and made the landmark trade for Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield from Chicago, to join a young phenomenon named Bobby Orr.

Ask a Boston hockey fan who was the greatest to ever lace up skates and the answer will always be 'number 4' Bobby Orr. Carrying on in the tradition of Shore, Orr redefined the position of defenseman with his lightening speed and his offensive artistry. He was the leader of the star studded "Big Bad Bruins" of the late 60's and early 70's. It was the golden era of Boston hockey with the Bruins the kings of the city, winning two Stanley Cups.

The line of great defensemen continued when 18 year-old Ray Bourque joined the Bruins in 1979. The Montreal native went on to have a brilliant 21 year career rewriting a number of league and team records. At the start of the 2001 season, his number 77 was raised to the rafters of the TD Banknorth Garden (formerly the Fleet Center) to become eighth Bruins to join the exalted group. If not for Bourques' generosity, the number 7 he had worn since joining the team would have been raised that night. However on a December night at the old Garden in 1987, Bourque made a token of generosity that became one of the greatest moments in Garden history. On the night Phil Esposito was honored with the retirement of his 7, Bourque relinquished the number 7 he was sharing with the former great, and took 77 in its place.

The 2002 opener was another special night at The Garden. The number 24 worn by Terry O'Reilly was raised to the rafters. Of all the legends whose numbers have been retired, O'Reilly may have had the least talent, but no one ever played the game harder or with more pride than he. He is all time team leader in penalty minutes, but he is also near the top in team scoring. He was the team captain, and after his playing days he coached the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1988. To the hockey fans of New England he was and still is the ultimate Bruin.

The last number to be retired is the number 8 worn by Cam Neely, in 2004. The phrase power forward, formally a basketball term, was given to Neely for his bone crushing style during his ten years patrolling the right wing for Boston. Unlike most tough guys Neely had game. In the 93-94 season he became one of only eight players to score 50 goals in 50 games. He retired as the all-time Bruins playoff goal scoring leader. His career ended prematurely due to injury,but his legacy went well beyond Boston.In 2005 Neely was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Since retiring, Neely has dedicated himself to giving back to the community and the world. While he was playing, both of his parents succumbed to cancer. Knowing the hardships, and the pain that families suffer,the Neely family created the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Cure, 1995. The foundation helps the families of cancer patients with accommodations and support during their love ones' treatments in Boston. In the words of Bruins President Harry Sinden, "Cam's contributions to Boston have gone far beyond what he accomplished on the ice."

From their days in the beloved old Boston Garden to their present home at the TD Banknorth Garden, the Bruins have been a major part of Boston sports lore. Through the good times and bad, their hard core following forever bleeds black and gold.