Rick Middleton

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Middleton's arrival in Boston marked a turning point after his tenure with the Rangers. Following the trade for Ken Hodge, head coach Don Cherry developed Middleton into a solid two-way player. He made an immediate impact on October 7, 1976, scoring a hat trick against the Minnesota North Stars in his debut. His partnership with rookie Barry Pederson created one of the most potent lines in NHL history from 1981 to 1984, posting over 200 points per season together. In 1981–82, Middleton won the Lady Byng Trophy with just 12 penalty minutes while scoring a career-high 51 goals and finishing seventh in league scoring. He set unbroken playoff records in 1983 for most points by a player not advancing to the finals (33) and for a single series (19). His best statistical season came in 1983–84 when he scored 105 points, tying Ken Hodge's team record for most points by a right winger.

In Their Own Story

On January 7, 1982, Middleton tied a single-game best with five points against the Winnipeg Jets. Later that season, he was named to his third and final NHL All-Star Game after scoring 105 points in 1983–84. He reached his 300th career goal on January 29, 1984, versus the Canadiens. The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final twice under his watch, in 1977 and 1978, though they were swept by Montreal both times. In 1983, he led the team to the league's best regular-season record but was eliminated by the Islanders in the semifinals. His leadership was formally recognized when he became co-captain with Ray Bourque for the 1985–86 season, a role he held until retiring in 1988.

Reader's Guide

Middleton played as a right winger and was drafted by the Rangers in the first round of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft. Before joining the Bruins, he spent his rookie year with the Providence Reds in the AHL, earning the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as Rookie of the Year with 36 goals and 48 assists. He led the OHL in scoring during the 1972–73 season with 137 points while playing for the Oshawa Generals. Internationally, he represented Team Canada twice in the Canada Cup, winning a gold medal in 1984. Post-retirement, he served as head coach of the United States 2002 Paralympic Sled Hockey team, leading them to their first gold medal. He has been inducted into both the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Middleton was traded to the Bruins for Ken Hodge on May 26, 1976.
• He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1982 with only 12 penalty minutes.
• He set an unbroken record for most points scored in a playoff series by a player not advancing to the finals (19 points) in 1983.
• Middleton tied Ken Hodge's team record for most points in a season by a right winger with 105 points in 1983–84.
• After retiring, he coached the US 2002 Paralympic Sled Hockey team to their first gold medal.