Bruins Cap Odd First Century
For Bruins fans it was a weekend to remember, as the Bruins unveiled a centennial legacy monument in celebration of the club’s 100th anniversary this week. The statue commemorates 100 years of Bruins hockey in Boston and serves as a tribute to the fans past, present and future. The new statue, which is in the shape of a bear, the club’s oldest brand identifier, stands in Portal Park, located just outside TD Garden. The statue stands 6-feet tall, 10-feet long and weighs 3,500 pounds. The bear is composed of 90 individual bronze pieces all welded together, and positioned on a 28-inch plinth, which is inscribed with a message directed to the Boston community. The inscription reflects the core values and legacy that the team and its fans have fostered in the city throughout its first century. “Today, as we unveil this new Bear statue in celebration of the Boston Bruins’ first 100 years, we mark not just a milestone in our team’s history, but a symbol of the enduring spirit of this franchise and its fans,” said Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs. “We are proud that this statue will greet generations of hockey fans, players and all who pass by, reminding them of the rich legacy we have built together and the exciting future that lies ahead.” The unveiling of the new monument was part of a weekend full of festivities in celebration of the club’s Centennial Game weekend, including alumni appearances, youth programming and more, all designed to unite fans of all ages through a shared passion for Bruins hockey.
On Sunday, the second centennial celebration featured the Bruins putting a major hurt on the Montreal Canadiens, with a solid 6-3 win. Prior to the game the media met with former team captains, Johnny Bucyk, Ray Bourque, Patrice Bergeron, and the player whose number 22 hangs in the Garden rafters, Willie O’Ree. Bucyk had a multitude of memories to share, including having been a member of two Stanley Cup teams in the ‘70’s, and a career that saw him connected to the Black and Gold for 66 years and counting, as he currently serves the team as an ambassador. Bourque’s memories were vivid, “I used to go back to Montreal every summer and we played them pretty much every year in the playoffs, and I’d have to hear crap all summer long from family and friends. Then 1988 was the quietest summer I’ve ever had and it was fantastic going back after finally beating Canadiens.” Bergeron’s comments included: “It’s special, just to be a part of it is something that I think means a lot to me, when you think about all the history that this franchise has had, and the legends have been through these doors is very meaningful for me to be part of the celebration and especially against Montreal and their history as well.
Much like Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour,’ the Bruins presented a video before introducing players from each of the five eras. THE EARLY YEARS featured: Willie O’Ree and the relatives of – Milt Schmidt, Eddie Shore, Dit Clapper and Lionel Hitchman. THE BIG BAD BRUINS included: Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk and Wayne Cashman. THE LUNCH PAIL A.C. was promoted by the appearance of Rick Middleton and Terry O’Reilly. NEW BLOOD – NEW BEGINNINGS rolled out Bruins President Cam Neely, Ray Bourque and Jason Allison. The final era, aptly titled RETURN OF A CHAMPION spotlighted former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron and current captain Brad Marchand. The event paid tribute to players whose numbers, as a Boston Bruin has been retired, and more. Missing from the collection of former captains was Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton, as both were unable to attend.
At press time on Wednesday, the second century had started well, with victories over Montreal on Sunday, and followed up by an overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The Bruins looked to earn their first three-game win streak this season, with a win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Upcoming for Boston is a Saturday, 1:00pm encounter on TD Garden ice, with the suddenly high-flying Philadelphia Flyers, winners of three in a row, on Tuesday Boston heads out on a five-game West Coast road trip, beginning with the struggling Winnipeg Jets, currently losers of four in a row, on Tuesday, 8:00pm, and a swim with the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, 10:00pm.