Wayne Cashman

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Lore & Background

Cashman's career was defined by his role as the 'digger' and heart of the line. Phil Esposito regarded him as underrated, stating, 'Without a doubt,' Cashman was essential. Bobby Orr later noted that if you needed something done, 'he could play anywhere you wanted.' His physical style saw him intervene whenever opponents confronted Esposito or Orr, earning him a reputation as one of the era's best fighters who threw his signature uppercut. Despite suffering from chronic back pain throughout his career, Cashman displayed immense toughness. Bruins GM Harry Sinden recalled seeing him lie on the training room floor 20 minutes before games due to severe disc issues, yet still taking the ice. This resilience made him a clutch postseason performer and an established leader who captained the team from October 1975 until his retirement in 1983.

In Their Own Story

The pinnacle of Cashman's clutch play occurred during the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Rangers. After scoring twice in Game 4, he helped Boston secure a 3-0 victory to win their second Stanley Cup in three years. Earlier in his career, during the Summit Series in 1972, Cashman represented Team Canada until an exhibition game in Sweden ended his participation; Ulf Sterner's stick lodged in Cashman's mouth, cutting his tongue open and requiring 50 stitches. His statistical peak arrived in the 1973-74 season when he finished fourth in league points with 89 (30 goals, 59 assists), earning a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team. That year, he joined Esposito, Orr, and Hodge as the only time in NHL history that the top four scorers played for one team. Cashman also recorded two 5-point games that season: a 3-goal, 2-assist performance against St Louis on March 6, and another identical feat against Toronto exactly one month later on April 7.

Reader's Guide

Wayne Cashman's journey began in Kingston, Ontario, where he played for the Frontenacs before joining the Oshawa Generals alongside Bobby Orr. He made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins during the 1964-65 season as an undrafted free agent at age 19, appearing in a single game. After a productive stint with the Oklahoma City Blazers, where he won the Adams Cup in 1967, he became a full-time Bruin. His first NHL goal came on November 6, 1968, against the Philadelphia Flyers. Over his career, Cashman scored at least 20 goals eight times and recorded four consecutive seasons with over 20 goals from 1971 to 1974. He also played in the All-Star Game during his peak season. Despite injuries limiting him to 42 games in 1974-75 due to back surgery, he returned to play all 80 games in 1975-76, a unique feat in his career. He served as captain from 1977 until retiring in 1983, leading the team to multiple finals appearances.

Did You Know?

• Cashman was the last active player to start his NHL career in the Original Six era.
• He played a remarkable 19 seasons with the Bruins, spanning from the 1964–65 season through the 1982–83 campaign.
• In the 1973-74 season, he was a key contributor to the Bruins' offense but did not finish among the league's top four scorers.
• He recorded exactly one career 5-point game on January 16, 1974.
• Bruins GM Harry Sinden stated he had never seen a player with a higher pain tolerance than Cashman, who often played through severe back pain.