Boston Bruins Careers: A Comprehensive Guide to the Storied Franchise

The Boston Bruins are one of the most storied franchises in the NHL, with a rich history dating back to 1924. Over the years, the Bruins have produced some of the greatest players in the game, and many have gone on to have successful careers after leaving Boston.

Bruins Alumni in the Hall of Fame

The Bruins have had 35 players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, more than any other team in the NHL. Some of the most notable Bruins Hall of Famers include:

• Bobby Orr: Orr is considered by many to be the greatest hockey player of all time. He was a dominant defenseman who won the Norris Trophy eight times and the Hart Trophy three times.
• Ray Bourque: Bourque is another legendary Bruins defenseman. He played for Boston for 21 seasons and is the team’s all-time leading scorer.
• Cam Neely: Neely was a prolific scorer for the Bruins. He scored 395 goals in 745 games and was named the MVP of the NHL in 1994.
• Phil Esposito: Esposito was one of the most feared goal scorers of his era. He scored 717 goals in 1,282 games and was named the MVP of the NHL in 1969.
• Terry O’Reilly: O’Reilly was a tough and physical forward who was known for his leadership. He played for the Bruins for 16 seasons and was named the captain of the team in 1983.

Bruins Alumni in the NHL Today

There are currently several former Bruins playing in the NHL. Some of the most notable include:

• Brad Marchand: Marchand is one of the most dynamic forwards in the NHL. He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and has been named to the NHL All-Star Game five times.
• David Pastrnak: Pastrnak is a rising star for the Bruins. He is a two-time All-Star and has scored over 20 goals in each of the past four seasons.
• Charlie McAvoy: McAvoy is a young defenseman who has quickly become one of the best in the NHL. He is a two-time All-Star and was named the Norris Trophy winner in 2021.
• Patrice Bergeron: Bergeron is the current captain of the Bruins and one of the most respected players in the NHL. He is a four-time Stanley Cup champion and has been named the Selke Trophy winner five times.
• David Krejci: Krejci is a long-time Bruins centerman who has been a key part of the team’s success. He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and has been named to the NHL All-Star Game three times.

Careers Beyond the NHL

Not all Bruins alumni go on to have successful NHL careers. However, many find success in other areas of hockey or in other fields entirely.

Coaching: Several former Bruins have gone on to become successful coaches. Some of the most notable include:

• Bruce Cassidy: Cassidy was the head coach of the Bruins from 2017 to 2022. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019.
• Claude Julien: Julien was the head coach of the Bruins from 2007 to 2017. He led the team to the Stanley Cup in 2011.
• Pat Burns: Burns was the head coach of the Bruins from 1995 to 1997. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997.

Broadcasting: Several former Bruins have gone on to become successful broadcasters. Some of the most notable include:

• Mike Milbury: Milbury was a Bruins defenseman from 1981 to 1987. He is now an analyst for NBC Sports.
• Eddie Olczyk: Olczyk was a Bruins forward from 1984 to 1987. He is now a color commentator for ESPN and TNT.
• Bob Sweeney: Sweeney was a Bruins defenseman from 1975 to 1985. He is now a Bruins radio analyst.

Other Fields: Several former Bruins have gone on to have successful careers in other fields. Some of the most notable include:

• Glen Featherstone: Featherstone was a Bruins defenseman from 1971 to 1975. He is now a practicing attorney.
• Bobby Schmautz: Schmautz was a Bruins forward from 1974 to 1978. He is now a successful businessman.
• Rick Middleton: Middleton was a Bruins forward from 1976 to 1991. He is now a financial advisor.

Tips for a Successful Bruins Career

If you dream of playing for the Boston Bruins, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success.

• Start playing hockey early. The earlier you start playing hockey, the more likely you are to develop the skills needed to play at a high level.
• Work hard. Nothing comes easy in hockey, so you need to be willing to put in the work. Practice hard and always strive to improve your skills.
• Be coachable. Listen to your coaches and be willing to learn new things. The best players are always willing to learn and improve.
• Be a team player. Hockey is a team sport, so it’s important to be a good teammate. Work well with others and always put the team’s success ahead of your own.
• Be persistent. Don’t give up on your dream of playing for the Bruins. Keep working hard and never give up hope.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few common mistakes that can derail a hockey career. Avoid these mistakes if you want to increase your chances of success.

• Getting discouraged. Hockey is a tough sport, and there will be times when you get discouraged. Don’t let these setbacks get you down. Keep working hard and never give up on your dream.
• Not working hard enough. If you want to be successful in hockey, you need to be willing to put in the work. Don’t skip practices or cut corners. Train hard and always strive to improve your skills.
• Not being coachable. The best players are always willing to learn new things. Listen to your coaches and be open to feedback. If you’re not willing to learn and improve, you’re not going to be successful.
• Not being a team player. Hockey is a team sport, so it’s important to be a good teammate. Work well with others and always put the team’s success ahead of your own. If you’re not a team player, you’re not going to be successful.
• Giving up. Don’t give up on your dream of playing for the Bruins. Keep working hard and never give up hope. If you give up, you’ll never know what you could have accomplished.

Conclusion

The Boston Bruins are a storied franchise with a rich history. The team has produced some of the greatest players in the game, and many have gone on to have successful careers after leaving Boston. If you dream of playing for the Bruins, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. Start playing hockey early, work hard, be coachable, be a team player, and be persistent. Avoid common mistakes such as getting discouraged, not working hard enough, not being coachable, not being a team player, and giving up. If you follow these tips, you’ll increase your chances of achieving your dream of playing for the Boston Bruins.

Tables

Table 1: Bruins Alumni in the Hockey Hall of Fame

Table 2: Bruins Alumni in the NHL Today

Table 3: Bruins Alumni in Coaching

Table 4: Bruins Alumni in Broadcasting