Let's Go B's

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The franchise began in 1924 when promoter Thomas Duggan sold a franchise option to grocery magnate Charles Adams, who hired Art Ross as general manager. Ross, with his secretary, coined the nickname 'Bruins,' matching the brown and yellow colors of Adams' First National Stores. Despite this initial loss, the team finished last with a 6–24–0 record. The following season saw a massive improvement to 17–15–4, missing the playoffs by just one point. By 1928, the team moved to Boston Garden for 67 seasons. Under Ross's leadership, the acquisition of defenseman Eddie Shore from the collapsing Western Hockey League marked a turning point, leading to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in their third season.

In Their Own Story

The 1930s and 40s were defined by legendary goaltending and star power. Goaltender Tiny Thompson helped secure the first Stanley Cup in 1928–29. In 1939, rookie Frank Brimsek replaced Thompson, winning both the Vezina and Calder Trophies while earning the nickname 'Mr. Zero.' That season featured the 'Kraut line' of Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer, and Woody Dumart, alongside Mel Hill, known as 'Sudden Death' for scoring three overtime goals in a single playoff series. The team won its third Cup in 1941 after losing only eight games. World War II significantly impacted the roster, with Brimsek and the Kraut line members enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In the Original Six era, Herb Cain set an NHL record with 82 points in 1944. A notable incident occurred in 1954 when Hal Laycoe high-sticked Maurice Richard, sparking a riot that only ended after Richard calmed the fans. The 'Uke Line' of Johnny Bucyk, Vic Stasiuk, and Bronco Horvath dominated from 1957 until 1961.

Reader's Guide

The expansion era brought new stars and a dynasty. In 1964, Weston Adams retook ownership and signed Bobby Orr, who won the Calder Trophy in his rookie year (1966). A pivotal trade with Chicago brought Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield to Boston. Esposito became the first player to break the 100-point mark. The 'Big Bad Bruins' roster included Bucyk, John McKenzie, Derek Sanderson, Dallas Smith, and Gerry Cheevers. In 1970, the team ended a 29-year drought by defeating the St. Louis Blues in four games, with Orr scoring the overtime winner. That same season, Orr won the Norris, Art Ross, Conn Smythe, and Hart Trophies, a unique feat. The following year, despite Harry Sinden stepping down as coach for business reasons, the team set a record for wins with seven of the league's top ten scorers.

Did You Know?

• The Bruins played their inaugural NHL game on December 1, 1924, but did not secure their first win until two days later on December 3, 1924.
• Frank Brimsek was the first rookie ever named to the NHL first All-Star team after winning both the Vezina and Calder Trophies in 1939.
• Willie O'Ree became the first black NHL player when he stepped onto the ice for the Bruins on January 18, 1958.
• The Bruins hold the record for the biggest single-season improvement in NHL history (from last place to a winning record) from their first to second season.