Top 50 Boston Bruins
Hockey might be “Canada’s Game”, but the tradition of the sport is very strong in many major American markets, one of the biggest being Boston, Massachusetts.The Boston Bruins are the third-oldest team in the National Hockey League and the oldest in the United States. They are a member of the “Original Six”, and they have won the Stanley Cup six times.
As you can imagine, this list of the fifty top Boston Bruins includes many Hall of Famers and legends, and even those who did not make the Hall of Fame are long-tenured Bruins and iconic figures in New England.
Note: Hockey lists are based on an amalgamation of tenure, traditional statistics, advanced statistics, playoff statistics, and postseason accolades.
This list is current as of the 2024/25 Season.
There have been a lot of great players who have worn the large “B” on their chest, many of whom can be called legends. But there is only one Bobby Orr.
Eddie Shore was feared. He was feared because he was tough as nails and could (and would) physically intimidate anybody. He was also feared because he was talented and knew exactly what to do on the ice and what to do with the puck. Shore was…
This was really hard. Ray Bourque was one of the best defencemen of his time, and it was a long time! Bourque played the most games in Bruins history, has the most Points in Bruins history, and leads the franchise in many more statistical categories.
The Chicago Blackhawks had to regret trading away Phil Esposito, but it was in Boston where he developed his scoring touch. Esposito would park himself in front of the net and would shatter the single-season scoring record, becoming the first man to score 100 Points in…
The greatest defensive forward of the modern era.We know that we are not the only ones to bestow Patrice Bergeron with that statement, and we will take it one step further as we will anoint Bergeron as one of the top five Bruins ever.A Bruin for the entirety of his…
The centre of the famed “Kraut Line”, Milt Schmidt was the centerpiece of the Bruins for years. Schmidt may have been undersized even for his day, but pound for pound, he was one of the best in the business and was lauded for his two-way skill.…
While many Boston Bruins were known for their toughness, Johnny Bucyk was known for his class. A two-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy, Bucyk is the second-longest tenured Bruin and is second all-time in scoring for the franchise.
A charismatic and clean player, Dit Clapper holds the distinction of being the only player in the history of the NHL to be named a postseason All-Star at both forward and defence. Clapper was a gentlemanly player, even though he was one of the largest of his day, and could…
Tiny Thompson was the first star between the pipes for the Boston Bruins and was the man who backstopped the organization to their first Stanley Cup. Thompson was a four-time Vezina Trophy winner and a four-time postseason All-Star. He would also lead the NHL in Goals Against Average four times.
Was the Stanley Cup ever held higher than when Zdeno Chara hoisted it in 2011?
Depending on your point of view, Marchand is either a dirty player or a brilliant agitator, or perhaps he is an elite combination of both. Regardless of which label, the undersized winger blossomed into a top scorer, especially in higher-pressure situations.
Bill Cowley has often been called the “Wayne Gretzky of his day” in reference to his abilities as a playmaker. Cowley would lead the NHL in Assists three times and win the Hart Trophy twice. More importantly, Cowley would hoist the Stanley Cup above his head twice.
Currently, David Pastrnak is an eleven-season NHL veteran, all of which were spent as a Boston Bruin.
The legendary “Mr. Zero”, Frank Brimsek, would have an outstanding debut season in the NHL. Brimsek would backstop the Bruins to a Stanley Cup win, while winning the first of two Vezina Trophies. Brimsek would also win the Stanley Cup again, and is one of the few Goaltenders to lead…
How often did the Vancouver Canucks regret the day they traded away Cam Neely? The same number of times that the Boston Bruins celebrated acquiring him.
In many ways, Rick Middleton was not your prototypical Boston Bruin, as he was known for his sportsmanlike conduct on the ice; however, the Boston fans loved “Nifty” for his playmaking skills and scoring capability.
Woody Dumart was the Left Winger for the Bruins' famed “Kraut Line,” and while he was not the scorer that Milt Schmidt was, he was a mistake-free player who complemented his linemates very well. Dumart was a three-time Second Team All-Star and a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, and amazingly, over…
Brad Park was considered by many to be the second-best defenceman of the 1970s, and he arrived in Boston at the tail end of his prime. Park was still able to secure another full season in Boston as a First Team All-Star, and he would average 0.83 Points per Game…
A power forward before anyone called it that, Wayne Cashman lived in the corners and dug out the puck expertly to help drive the potent offense of the Boston Bruins.
A clutch goaltender who played his best when the lights were at their brightest, Gerry Cheevers backstopped the Bruins to two Stanley Cup wins (1970 & 1972) and the Hall of Famer might have had more NHL accolades had the man with the famous stitched mask not taken his talents…