Johnny Bucyk

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Lore & Background

Bucyk's journey began in poverty in Edmonton, where his father was unemployed for over four years. His early gear consisted of broomsticks and homemade pads made from magazines because he could not afford ice skates until age thirteen. Originally a goalie, he switched to skating after receiving hand-me-downs from his brother Bill. After four seasons with the junior Edmonton Oil Kings—where he scored 28 goals in 21 playoff games for their 1954 Memorial Cup run—he signed with the Detroit Red Wings. There, minor-league teammate Bronco Horvath nicknamed him 'Chief' because of how Bucyk used his stick like a tomahawk along the boards. In 1958, Detroit traded him to Boston in a deal for Terry Sawchuk, reuniting him with Horvath and Vic Stasiuk on the famous 'Uke Line.' Although Stasiuk was actually Hungarian, the trio's Ukrainian background fueled their moniker.

In Their Own Story

Bucyk's early years with Detroit were frustrating; he recalled sitting on the bench until his team was up or down five goals to watch Gordie Howe. However, life changed after the trade to Boston in 1958. He immediately doubled his scoring output, helping lead the Bruins to the 1958 Stanley Cup Finals. Throughout the 1960s, even as the team struggled and missed the playoffs for eight straight years starting in 1967, Bucyk remained a leader. He served as an alternate captain during the 1965-66 campaign before becoming the sole captain in 1966-67, scoring his 200th goal that season. As the team rebuilt with Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, Bucyk was named senior alternate captain for the Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972. His clean play stood out despite his size; he won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1971 and 1974. He retired as the fourth leading point scorer of all time and played the third-most games in history.

Reader's Guide

Fans should know that Bucyk was a model of consistency, playing sixteen seasons with twenty or more goals. His career path offers a lesson in adaptability; after junior coach Ken McAuley arranged for him to train with a figure skater to fix his awkward skating, he became a star. In the 1958-59 season, he recorded a then-career-best five points (3 goals, 2 assists) against Chicago on November 11, 1958. Financially, he was cautious, often signing only one-year contracts because he felt he had to produce to earn the next one, though he did sign a three-year deal in the mid-1960s. His legacy is defined not just by his status as one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' named in 2017, but by his enduring presence; since retirement, he has served as a commentator, director, and currently works as an ambassador for the Bruins.

Did You Know?

• Bucyk did not own a pair of ice skates until age thirteen, playing street hockey before then due to poverty.
• He earned the nickname 'Chief' from Bronco Horvath because he used his stick like a tomahawk when fighting for pucks.
• Despite being known for hip checks, Bucyk won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship twice (1971 and 1974).
• His first NHL game was not in the regular season but in the 1955 All-Star Game.
• Bucyk's father died when he was 11 years old, leaving the family with his mother working two jobs to survive.