Robert Gordon “Bobby” Orr (born 20.3.1948) is a former Canadian ice hockey player. For many hockey followers Orr is often mentioned to be one of the greatest of all time. He used his ice skating speed, scoring and play-making to change the way to play defence. He played 12 seasons in the NHL with Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks. Bobby Orr is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.

Early Career

Bobby Orr was noticed by Boston Bruins in 1961 – playing in youth hockey tournament. Other teams were also interested but Orr signed in 1962 with the Bruins. Orr debuted in the 1962-63 for the Oshawa Generals in the Metro Junior A League. He was only 14 years old and played against much older guys. Bobby Orr played with Oshawa Generals 4 seasons until he turned 18 and he was ready to play in NHL.

Boston Bruins

Orr joined Boston Bruins in the 1966-67 season. Boston did not reached playoffs, but Orr was instantly good and he won Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year. Next season injuries limited Orr to just 46 games (Orr suffered knee problems throughout his career). In season 1969-70 Orr was healthy and he almost doubles his scoring total from the previous season, to 120 points. Boston Bruins won Stanley Cup and Bobby Orr became first player to win four major NHL awards in one season (Art Ross Trophy, Norris Trophy, Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy).

Next season Boston were upset by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 1971 playoffs. In that season Bobby Orr made 139 points, record that still stands for most points in a season by defenceman and for plus-minus (+124), that record also still stands by any position player. Next season (1971-72) Orr again led Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup and he won again Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff most valuable player. In 1973-74 season Boston Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup final, but this time Philadelphia Flyers won in six games.

In the 1974-75 season, Orr broke his own record for goals by defenceman – scoring 46 goals. Orr won second time the Art Ross Trophy as a best point scorer of NHL at the end of regular season. The 1975-76 season Orr played only ten games. He went two knee surgeries, but his knee did not response therapy.

Chicago Blackhawks and retirement

Bobby Orr signed with Chicago Blackhawks 8.6.1976 but he played only 26 games over next three seasons. By 1978, Orr had undergone over dozen knee surgeries and he finally need to give up – Orr tried to comeback in 1978-79 season but he played only six games and after that he retired.

Other interesting stuff

Bobby Orr remains the only defenceman to have won the league scoring title (Art Ross Trophy) and he did it twice (1970, 1975). Orr won eight consecutive Norris Trophies (1967-1975) as the NHL’s best defenceman. He won three consecutive Hart Memorial Trophies (1969-1972) for a NHL’s most valuable player and two Conn Smythe Trophies (1970, 1972) for the most valuable player in the playoffs.