As a member of the Original Six, the Boston Bruins have one of the most historically relevant franchises in the NHL. When we get down to the nitty-gritty, who makes the list of the best Bruins players of all time?
We take a look at famous Bruins players, former Boston Bruins players, and narrow the list down to who the best of the best are to have worn the “B”.
You can find Boston Bruins betting offers here.
The Best Bruins Players of All-Time
With so many names to choose from, how could we possibly narrow the list of former Bruins players down to 20?
Let the debate begin as we cover the best of the best in Boston Bruins franchise history.
1. Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon Orr. Without question the greatest defenseman ever and argued by some to be the best player ever. He changed the way that the game is played by defensemen, revolutionizing the position, and making it more than being about simple, sound defense.
Orr won three Hart Trophies as league MVP, winning them in a row from 1970-1972. He became the first defenseman to record 100 points and 100 assists in a single season. His 915 points in 657 games is astounding, no matter the position.
If not for knee injuries, there is no telling the heights Orr would have reached by the end of a full career. Discussion of the best defensemen ever begins and ends with Orr.
2. Eddie Shore
You can’t talk about the best Bruins players of all time without mentioning “Mr. Old-Time Hockey.” Shore set the standard for defensemen in the NHL, winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP a whopping four times – a record among defensemen. He also has four Norris Trophy wins as the best defenseman in the league.
Shore was a focal point in the 1929 and 1939 Stanley Cup championship wins by Boston. After racking up eight All-Star appearances and a ton of awards, Shore went into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947. He remains the definition of old-time, defensive hockey.
Find NHL betting offers here.
3. Milt Schmidt
Schmidt centered the famous “Kraut Line” back in the 1930s and ‘40s.
He is also known for serving in World War II, interrupting what was already an impressive, Hall of Fame career. When he retired in 1955, he was third ever in assists and fourth in points, underscoring how good he was.
Schmidt won a pair of Cups as a player with Boston in 1939 and 1941 while being named to four NHL All-Star Teams. Schmidt was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players back in 2017 and has been a member of the Hall of Fame since 1961.
4. Ray Bourque
Bourque was drafted 8th overall in 1979 and immediately began carving out a Hall of Fame career. Among famous Bruins players, Bourque may carry the biggest regret among Bruins fans but not for what Bourque did. In his 21 seasons in Boston, the team could not get him the one missing piece – the Stanley Cup.
Though Bourque would get that championship in Colorado, he will forever be remembered for his time in Boston.
Given that he won the Norris Trophy five times, made 19 NHL All-Star appearances, and still leads the franchise in assists (1,111) and points (1,506), it only stands to reason that Bourque would go down as one of the best and most famous Boston Bruins players.
5. Phil Esposito
When you think of 1970s scoring dominance, Esposito is likely the first name that comes to mind. “Espo” is not only one of the best Bruins players of all-time, but one of the best in the history of the game.
He was one of the league’s most dominant centers during the Bruins vaunted “big, bad Bruins” run in the 1970s.
Esposito won a pair of Hart Trophy awards as league MVP. He captured a pair of Cup titles as well. When he retired, he was third all-time in assists, second in goals, and second in points.
He was also the first-ever player to rack up 1,000 points in a decade, doing so during the 1970s. Esposito was as dominant a force as you could get for the Bruins.
6. Aubrey “Dit” Clapper
Clapper comes from a time that many of us did not see. On paper, his stats – 477 points in 835 games – don’t jump out but it was an incredible feat for his time.
Aubrey would be a feature point for the Bruins throughout his 20-year NHL career.
Clapper would make the First NHL All-Star team three times in his career and the Second NHL All-Star Team another three times.
Though he doesn’t have the hardware to show it, Clapper was one of the game’s best goal-scorers in a time before rules really allowed for tons of offense.
7. Johnny Bucyk
When you think of former Bruins players, it is hard to not picture Johnny Bucyk. To date, he is without a doubt the greatest left winger in the history of the franchise.
Perhaps his most incredible feat is playing in 21 consecutive seasons for the Bruins, winning a pair of Stanley Cups with the team along the way.
Bucyk leads the franchise in goals with 556 and also in consecutive games played. Like Schmidt, Shore, Esposito, and Orr, Bucyk landed on the list of the 100 greatest NHL players in history back in 2017.
He is the epitome of Boston Bruins hockey during the 1960s and 1970s.
8. Patrice Bergeron
Bergeron may very well be the greatest Bruin since the Bobby Orr days.
The quiet captain has been one of the most dominant two-way forwards of his era, winning a record-tying four Frank J. Selke awards. He has been nominated nine straight times, tying another record.
Bergeron has been the quiet, classy leader of the Bruins for years. He was also a critical part of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, the last for the Bruins and their first since the 1970s.
Patrice will go down as one of the most complete players ever and one of the best Boston Bruins players to ever do it.
9. Cam Neely
Cam is one of the ultimate “what if” questions in league history. He was one of the most dominant power forwards in the game at his peak, hitting the 50-goal mark three times throughout his career.
If it weren’t for a devastating knee-on-knee hit from defenseman Ulf Samuelsson, there is no telling what heights he would have ascended to.
Neely would make the All-Star team four times and pick up a Masterson Trophy win. Despite his early injuries, Neely was recognized for his performance as a dominant scorer and power forward by being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
10. Brad Marchand
Though he may be one of the most hated players in the league, you can’t deny the impact Marchand has had. The two-time All-Star came from relative obscurity as the 71st overall pick in 2006 to be one of the best wingers in the game.
His career is far from over, but Marchand has made his mark. He is the franchise leader in shorthanded goals, regular season penalty shot goals and overtime goals.
His career has been impressive, and he could be just another in a long line of Hall of Fame, famous Boston Bruins players.
11. Terry O’Reilly
During the 1970s and into the 1980s, the Bruins were known as the “big, bad Bruins.” Part of that had to do with O’Reilly, himself known as the “Tasmanian Devil.”
O’Reilly is one of the toughest to ever strap on a pair of skates and was involved in more than his fair share of scraps during his 14 years in Boston.
Though O’Reilly doesn’t have the stats that others on the list do, his impact on Boston could be felt.
He was the heart and soul of the Bruins, not to mention a huge fan favorite. When thinking of 1970s Boston Bruins hockey, you think of Orr, Esposito, and Terry O’Reilly.
12. Tiny Thompson
One of the greatest goaltenders in the early years of the NHL. He would also be known as one of the “first great floppers” in the history of the league.
On top of that, he popularized catching the puck to make a save, making him one of the best puck-catchers of the era.
In 11 years with the Bruins, he would capture the Vezina Trophy as best goaltender four times while making NHL All-Star team appearances four times. One of the pioneers of the goaltending world.
13. Zdeno Chara
The Bruins turned the corner into contenders upon signing the 6’9” defenseman. Chara would prove the signing to be a worthwhile one, becoming one of the best overall defensemen in the game. He proved that with his 2009 Norris Trophy win as the top defenseman in the league.
Chara would also captain the team to its first Stanley Cup since 1972, winning it all in 2011. Known for his overwhelming size and blistering slapshot, Chara was a beacon for the Bruins after decades of mediocrity and subpar results.
14. Tuukka Rask
Rask may actually have an underrated career given his accomplishments. He has the most wins and games played in franchise history.
Tuukka was part of the last Cup team in 2011 (though Tim Thomas was the primary goaltender). He also has an NHL First All-Star Team selection.
Rask will also be known as a punching bag during his time in Boston. Of all the best Boston Bruins players, Rask may get the least love. Without him, the Bruins of the 2010s would not have been contenders year in and year out.
15. Lionel Hitchman
Hitchman was a great ahead of his time. He formed one of the greatest defensive pairings in the history of the game with Shore. He would be a key contributor to the 1929 Boston Bruins championship team as well.
Lionel would spend a decade in Boston, getting his #3 retired by the franchise. His name doesn’t come up a lot among the best Bruins but has to be included in the deep, rich history of the franchise.
16. Bill Cowley
“Cowboy” Bill was a dominant player in the pre-World War II era. He has been described as the Wayne Gretzky of his era, one of the best playmakers of his time.
Cowley left the game as the all-time leader in assists and points, further underscoring his offensive dominance. Cowley is one of the most critical players in the early days of the Bruins.
Find NHL video betting picks here.
17. Rick Middleton
You don’t have your jersey raised into the rafters without being a helluva player. Middleton posted 448 goals and 988 points during his time in Boston. He would make a name for himself as one of the top goals scorers in the game during his time in Boston.
“Nifty” would go on to make three NHL All-Star Game appearances while also capturing the 1982 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
He also has a few records: the most points in a playoff series (19), the highest points per game average by a right winger in one playoff (1.94), and the highest assists per game by a right winger in a single playoff (1.29).
18. David Krejci
Krejci is one of those unsung players that outsiders never truly understand.
Think of him as something of a poor man’s Bergeron: a great two-way player who never really got the appreciation he deserved outside of the Boston area.
But Krejci has been crucial to the franchise. He was a part of the 2011 championship team. His 223 goals have helped keep the Bruins in contention for almost the entirety of his career.
Krejci’s absence was felt a year ago and his return was part of why the Bruins set regular season records in 2022-23.
19. Frank Brimsek
Brimsek is not only a Hall of Fame goaltender but has one of the coolest nicknames ever. “Mr. Zero” popularized the stand-up style, becoming one of the best in the World War II era.
Brimsek is also known as one of the toughest goaltenders of the era, routinely battling opposing players. In 1998, he ranked 67th on the list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players and his 35 shutouts place him third in franchise history.
20. Gerry Cheevers
Cheevers mask – featuring “stitch” marks where pucks had struck – is one of the most famous in the history of the game.
As it turns out, Cheevers career was pretty good, too. He would rack up 226 wins for the Bruins, playing a key role in the 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cup victories.
He had a 10-year stint with the Bruins where he proved himself to be a dominant postseason player.
Though Cheevers would be surpassed by many goalies of the 1980s and 1990s, there was a time where he was one of the best in the league and proved invaluable to the Bruins.
Find more NHL betting guides here.
More Articles Like This
Top 20 Most Famous Boston Celtics Players Ever
10 Best NFL Players from Massachusetts
Top 10 Former New England Patriots Players
Miami Dolphins Playoff Chances 2023
11 NBA Teams with Most Championships