BOSTON — It began with Eddie Shore, arguably the NHL’s first superstar.
It continued with Dit Clapper, and after a 20-year gap, resumed with perhaps the best player the game has ever known, Bobby Orr.
Then, like players coming off the assembly line, they kept coming: Next was Brad Park, then Ray Bourque, and more recently, Zdeno Chara.
Over their 100-year history, the Bruins have had the good fortune of boasting of some of the best defensemen in the league. And on Wednesday, as the team kicked off its season, four of them were in attendance as the Bruins faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks and began to honor their greatest players in a centennial season celebration.
“For the team, I think it’s important to have someone like that,” Bourque said of the team’s tradition connective of great defensemen. “For me, it wasn’t something I thought about. I dreamed about playing in the NHL, and I just hoped that I would be a good solid player. As it goes on, you’re kind of doing well and then you find yourself being talked about in that way. It’s quite an honor.
“The people who came before me were very, very special people in the league, and some of the all-time greats. So to be mentioned with those guys, to try to pass on the torch to the next guy is a lot of fun. I played with a lot of great defenseman and partners and young guys coming in, and you always try to pass it on in terms of your knowledge and what you think is important to become a good player, and to lead by example. That’s the biggest thing. That’s what I tried to do.”
It’s likely that no one will ever match Orr’s greatness. From his rookie year in 1966-67, Orr changed the way the position was played, daring to venture deep into the offensive end, controlling the play over 200 feet. Orr was unmatched as a skater, had a blistering shot, could stickhandle like a magician, thread passes through traffic, and was unafraid of physical play.
And, of course, Orr was unmatched in his own end, where he could stifle incoming rushes and quickly transition to lead the Bruins’ attack up ice.
But if no one could duplicate Orr’s majesty on ice, the Bruins have had their share of fabulous defensemen in the post-Orr error. Park, who played only 10 games with Orr before injuries and a contractual stalemate took Orr to Chicago to finish his career, was a perennial All-Star who frequently finished among the top five in Norris Trophy voting.
Bourque, who can perhaps claim the title of “Best Defenseman, Non-Orr Division,” combined punishing physical play with offensive brilliance. He was a five-time Norris Trophy winner.
Finally, there was Chara, whose size and strength made him impenetrable as he manhandled opponents in front of the Boston net. Chara won just one Norris, but he was often a first- or second-team All-Star selection and one of the most intimidating forces in the game.
The club is an exclusive one and doesn’t grant admission to just anyone. But perhaps the next person to join will be Charlie McAvoy, who Wednesday began his seventh NHL season.
“I think he has the potential to do that,” said Bourque. “He’s got the whole game. He’s got the physical game, the skating game. He’s got the great vision, the shot, he has instincts that are very special. I love watching him play. His potential is unlimited. It’s just a matter of time. He’s already talked about among the best in the league, and for him, I think it’s only going to keep getting better and better – for him and the Bruins.”
“Very nice player,” echoed Park. “I like Charlie. I’m cheering for him. I hope he continues to grow, continues to put some numbers up.”
For years, the Bruins have been urging McAvoy to become more involved in the offense and shoot the puck more frequently. Park recalled that he had to have similar conversations with Bourque when the two played together in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“You really have to take it upon yourself,” said Park. “I remember when Ray was my protege, after a couple of years, I had to go to him and say, ‘Ray, look, when you’re on the ice, you have to control the game. Because when I’m on the ice, I’m going to control the game. So don’t be looking at me, waiting for me to do it. You go and do it.’ And he did. And he became a superior defenseman in NHL history.”
And in so doing, continued a long and proud team tradition.
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