I must confess that I did not vote for my all-time-favorite player to make the Boston Bruins’ All-Centennial Team, but in retrospect this decision is a lot closer than the legacies of Stanley Cup championships make it look.
The broad brush of Gerry Cheevers’ Hall of Fame career was that of the quintessential “money goalie,” which is another way of saying he wasn’t an elite talent as much as an elite competitor, a goalie who, in clutch situations when the occasion called for an elevation in performance, delivered.
I always knew there was more to him than that. I was a Cheevers student. As a kid goalie, I had his mannerisms down pat. That was over 50 years ago, but a recent revisit (via YouTube) to the 1977 Cup semifinal series against Philadelphia reminded me of his subtle tactics that, while seemingly idiosyncratic, were actually pragmatic and effective. After trying to take a spot at the goalmouth and being thwarted by a pre-emptive maneuver on Cheevers’ part, Flyers captain Bobby Clarke can be seen complaining to the referee.
RIP Gilles Gilbert, an often spectacular goalie in his own right, but one against whom the pesty Flyers could find a way. Not so much against Cheevers, who did little things like flip the puck over the side glass (it was his tactic that brought about the penalty), skate the puck and use body position to box out an intruder, or literally carry the puck into the chest of an opponent to get a faceoff. He had a thousand tricks tailored for the rules of the game and how it was played circa 1964-1980.
But being among the all-time-great puck stoppers? Cheevers’ regular-season statistics were rarely compelling – he did set the NHL record 32-game, personal unbeaten streak during the 1971-72 season – but he was also known to have off nights. But then there is this: Did you know who has the best postseason performance by a Bruins goaltender in the National Hockey League’s (post-1967) expansion era?
Cheevers’ 1969 playoff, the one Jean Beliveau ended in double overtime (and broke my heart after my father let me stay up on a school night), ended at 6-3 (sweeping Toronto and winning Games 3 and 4 against Montreal) with a 1.68 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. When the Bruins won the Cup the next year, Cheevers was 12-1 with a 2.23 GAA and a .925 SP. In the 1972 title run, he split the nets with Eddie Johnston, who was even better than Cheevers that postseason (see below).
But who knew Cheevers holds such a statistical distinction for his 1969 playoffs? Not this geezer, who slept out for tickets as a teenager so he could place one foot atop the last row of the second balcony, the other foot on the railing in front of that row, and hold onto the ceiling beam to mitigate those words “Obstructed View” on his ticket stub.
There is a certain giddiness that came with the realization that Cheevers has a place on the Bruins All-Centennial Team of 12 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies. Frank “Mr. Zero” Brimsek was the first selection to this position and without hesitation.
I pushed for Tiny Thompson in the other spot and, when others were juxtaposed to create a play-down elimination bracket, I pushed for Tim Thomas, whose career is worthy of Hockey Hall of Fame consideration. The fact Thomas’s career found NHL traction rather late only makes him like the late, great Johnny Bauer, it doesn’t detract. Thomas won the championship in the Finnish elite league before he ever got his sniff at the NHL, and I can’t think of any other goalie to start as many seasons at 2 or 3 on his NHL team’s depth chart and, by season’s end, emerged as the starter (including 2010-11, his second Vezina Trophy season and Conn Smythe as playoff MVP).
The selection wasn’t about getting what I want but helping the committee get it right, but to review Cheevers’ career and see how much better he was than his reputation was an eye-opener. I knew he had had a great ’69 playoff, I didn’t realize where it ranked in team annals.
Here is a link to the YouTube video posted by the Bruins of the Sept. 7 selection of the All-Centennial Team:
A quick aside on 1982-83 Vezina Trophy winner Pete Peeters: He came within one game of equaling Cheevers’ NHL-record 32-game unbeaten streak, a record that still stands. Peeters has the second longest streak at 31 and the third as well from his 79-80 rookie season with Philadelphia (which set the team unbeaten streak record at 35, breaking the old mark in a win at Boston Garden that I was lucky enough to attend).
Here are other notable, expansion-era playoff performances by Bruins goalies:
Ed Johnston 1972: 6-1, 1.86 GAA, .936 SP (Often considered Cheevers’ backup, EJ in his mid 30s was a tandem partner. Once the puck drops on the playoffs, anything can happen.
Gerry Cheevers 1970: 12-1, 2.23 GAA, .925 SP
Gerry Cheevers 1971: 3-3, 3.51 GAA, .892 SP
Gerry Cheevers 1972: 6-2, 2.61 GAA, .915 SP
(From 1972-73 into the 75-76 season, Cheevers played for the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association)
Gerry Cheevers 1976: 2-4, 2.14 GAA, .917 SP
Gerry Cheevers 1977: 8-5, 3.08 GAA, .865 SP
Gerry Cheevers 1978: 8-4, 2.87 GAA, .884 SP
Gerry Cheevers 1979: 4-2, 2.50 GAA, .891 SP
Gerry Cheevers 1980: 4-6, 3.11 GAA, .875 SP
Gilles Gilbert 1974: 10-6, 2.64 GAA, .912 SP
Gilles Gilbert 1975: 1-2, 3.86 GAA, .859 SP
Gilles Gilbert 1976: 3-3, 3.17 GAA, .868 SP
Gilles Gilbert 1979: 3-2, 3.06 GAA, .901 SP
Reggie Lemelin 1988: 11-6, 2.64 GAA, .895 SP
Andy Moog 1990: 13-7, 2.21 GAA, .909 SP
Byron Dafoe 1998: 2-4, 1.99 GAA, .912 SP
Byron Dafoe 1999: 6-6, 1.98 GAA, .921 SP
Jeff Hackett 2003: 1-2, 1.67 GAA, .934 SPAndrew Raycroft 2004: 3-4, 2.15 GAA, .924
Tim Thomas 2011: 16-9, 1.98 GAA, .940 save pct.
Tim Thomas 2009: 7-4, 1.85 GAA, .935 SP
Tuukka Rask 2013: 14-8, 1.88 GAA, .940 SP
Tuukka Rask 2014: 7-5, 1.99 GAA, .928 SP
Tuukka Rask 2019: 15-9, 2.02 GAA, .934 SP
Here is the press release issued Oct. 12 by the Bruins on the All-Centennial Team:
BRUINS ANNOUNCE ALL-CENTENNIAL TEAM
BOSTON – The Boston Bruins announced today, October 12, the All-Centennial Team, presented by Rapid7.
The All-Centennial Team is comprised of the most legendary players in franchise history as voted upon by an independent committee of journalists and media members, historians and members of the hockey community.
The 20-player roster was selected from the “Historic 100” list and features 12 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goaltenders.
BOSTON BRUINS ALL-CENTENNIAL TEAM
FORWARDS
Patrice Bergeron (2003-23)
Bergeron appeared in 1,294 career games, tallying 427 goals and 613 assists for 1,040 points. The forward was a member of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team and served as the club’s 26th captain from January 7, 2021 to July 26, 2023. Bergeron is a six-time Selke Trophy winner, earning the honor in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022 and 2023. He won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and community qualities in the 2012-13 season and the Mark Messier Award for the 2020-21 season.
Johnny Bucyk (1957-78)
Bucyk appeared in 1,436 career games, recording 545 goals and 794 assists for 1,339 points. He holds the franchise record for most goals scored. During his 21 seasons with the Bruins, ‘Chief’ won two Stanley Cup titles, in 1970 and 1972, and served as team captain from 1966-67 and again from 1973-77. His number, 9, was retired by the team on March 13, 1980.
Wayne Cashman (1964-65, 1967-83)
Cashman appeared in 1,027 career games, recording 277 goals and 516 assists for 793 points. He won two Stanley Cup championships, in 1970 and 1972. Cashman served as team captain from 1977 to 1983. On February 2, 1983, he became the second player in franchise history to play his 1,000th NHL game and the first to play all career games for Boston.
Bill Cowley (1935-47)
Cowley appeared in 508 career games, recording 190 goals and 347 assists for 537 points. He was a member of two Stanley Cup championship teams, in 1939 and 1941, and served as team captain from 1944-45. Cashman was awarded the Hart Trophy as most valuable player during the 1940-41 and 1942-42 seasons and won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring leader in 1940-41. He retired in 1947 as the NHL’s all-time assist and points leader.
Phil Esposito (1967-76)
Esposito was a member of the 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cup championship teams. He appeared in 625 career games, recording 459 goals and 553 assists for 1,012 points. The forward won the Hart Trophy in 1968-69 and 1973-74 and was awarded the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s scoring leader five times (1968-69, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73 and 1973-74). He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. On December 3, 1987, the Bruins retired his number, 7.
David Krejci (2006-21, 2022-23)
Krejci was a member of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team with Boston. He appeared in 1,032 career games, recording 213 goals and 555 assists for 786 points. Krejci led the league in playoff scoring in both 2011 and 2013. In January 2023, he played his 1,000 NHL game.
Brad Marchand (2009 – Present)
Marchand has appeared in 948 career games, recording 372 goals and 491 assists for 863 points. He was a member of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team. Marchand is Boston’s all-time leader in overtime goals and shorthanded scores. Among active NHL players, he ranks first in plus-minus (plus-290). In September 2023, Marchand was named the 27th captain in franchise history.
Rick Middleton (1976-88)
Middleton appeared in 881 career games, scoring 402 goals and 496 assists for 898 points. He is one of six players in team history to score 50 goals in a season. ‘Nifty’ served as co-captain of the Bruins from 1985-1968. He led the Bruins in scoring for four consecutive seasons and in goals for six straight campaigns. His number, 16, was honored by the team on November 29, 2018.
Cam Neely (1986-96)
Neely appeared in 525 career games, recording 344 goals and 246 assists for 590 points. He led the team in goals for seven of his ten seasons including three 50-goal campaigns. Neely won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1993-94 and was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for his contributions to hockey in the United States in 2010. His number, 8, was retired by the team in 2004. In 2010, he became the first former player in club history to become the President of the team. As President, Neely won the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Terry O’Reilly (1971-85)
O’Reilly served as team captain from 1983-85. He appeared in 891 career games, recording 204 goals and 402 assists for 606 points. O’Reilly is one of just five players in club history to have led the team in points and penalty minutes in the same season. He served as head coach of the Bruins from November 5, 1986 to May 1, 1989. On October 24, 2002, his number, 24, was honored by the team.
David Pastrnak (2014 – Present)
Pastrnak has appeared in 593 career games, recording 303 goals and 316 assists for 619 points. As the leading goal scorer (tied) in 2019-20, he became the first Bruin since 1974-75 to win the Rocket Richard Trophy. In the 2022-23 season, he became the second Bruin in franchise history with a 60+ goal season. Pastrnak ranks second in team history with 15 career hat tricks.
Milt Schmidt (1936-42, 1945-55)
Schmidt is the only person in club history to serve the team as player, captain, coach and general manager. The forward appeared in 776 career games, recording 229 goals and 346 assists for 575 points. He is a member of four of Boston’s six Stanley Cup championship teams. Schmidt served as team captain from 1947-54. He won the Hart Trophy in 1950-51 and was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1996. Schmidt was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. His number, 15, was honored by the team in 1956.
DEFENSEMEN
Ray Bourque (1979-2000)
Bourque is the NHL’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen. He appeared in 1,518 career games recording 395 goals and 1,111 assists for 1,506 points. He served as team captain from 1985-2000. Bourque won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1993-94. On October 4, 2001 his number, 77, was honored by the Bruins.
Zdeno Chara (2006-20)
Zdeno Chara was a member of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team. He served as team captain from 2006-20. Chara appeared in 1,023 career games, recording 148 points and 333 assists for 481 points. He was awarded the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2008-09 and won the Mark Messier award for leadership in 2010-11. He holds the all-time record for hardest shot at 108.8 mph.
Dit Clapper (1927-47)
Clapper was the first player in NHL history to play for 20 seasons. He is the only Bruin to play on three championship Boston teams (1929, 2939 and 1942). Clapper appeared in 835 career games, recording 229 goals and 248 assists for 477 points. He served as team captain from 1932-33 and again in 1939-44. In 1947, Clapper was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and had his number, 5, retired by the team. He served as head coach from 1945-49.
Bobby Orr (1966-76)
Orr was a member of the 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cup championship teams, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in both years. In his career, he appeared in 631 career games, recording 264 goals and 624 assists for 888 points. Orr won the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player for three consecutive seasons (1969-72) and was awarded the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring leader in 1969-70 and 1974-75. In his rookie season (1967-68), he was awarded the Calder Trophy. Orr was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979. On January 9, 1979 his number, 4, was honored by the team.
Brad Park (1975-83)
Park appeared in 501 career games, recording 100 goals and 317 assists for 417 points. He was the second defenseman in NHL history to reach 500 career assists on December 11, 1980. In his eight years with the team, he led all Bruins defensemen in goals, assists and points. Park was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
Eddie Shore (1926-40)
Shore was among the first group of inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945. In his career, he appeared in 541 games, recording 103 goals and 176 assists for 279 points. Shore served as team captain from 1935-36 and is the only defenseman in league history to win the Hart Trophy four times (1932-33, 1934-35, 1935-36 and 1937-38). He was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for contributions to hockey in the United States in 1970. His number, 2, was honored by the Bruins on April 1, 1947.
GOALTENDERS
Frank Brimsek (1938-43, 1946-49)
In 514 career games, Brimsek had a record of 252-182-80 with a 2.7 goals against average and 40 shutouts. He won two Stanley Cups with the Bruins, in 1939 and 1941. Brimsek won the Calder Trophy in 1938-39 and was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 1938-39 and 1941-42. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966 and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in 1973.
Gerry Cheevers (1965-72, 1975-80)
Cheevers won two Stanley Cup championships with Boston, in 1970 and 1972. In 418 career games, he has a record of 227-104-76 with a 2.89 goals against average and 26 shutouts. He served as head coach of the Bruins from July 7, 1980 to February 13, 1985. Cheevers was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.
Rink Rap with Mick Colageo 