Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bruins’ preseason starts with huge loss

First, condolences to the family of the great Bernie Parent and all Philadelphia Flyers fans. I’m a bit stunned by the news of Bernie’s passing, even at age 80, as he was always so full of life, happiness and positivity on social media. Coming so soon after the losses of Ken Dryden and Eddie GiacominContinue reading “Bruins’ preseason starts with huge loss”

Ken Dryden changed how GM’s pursue the Stanley Cup

Before adding my little bit to the excellent and heartfelt tributes I’ve read on Facebook, I encourage anyone really seeking to understand why the loss of Ken Dryden shakes the ground under the rink of so many older hockey minds to find the Facebook post authored by Sports Museum curator Richard Johnson and the tributeContinue reading “Ken Dryden changed how GM’s pursue the Stanley Cup”

Visiting with Basketball’s ‘Stanley Cup’

On July 21, I joined hockey-historian pals Kevin Vautour and Ed Norris on a field trip to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Our mission: to meet with Alex Pedro from Archive Services and discuss our interest in an up-close and personal look at the Walter Brown Trophy. He generously ushered us toContinue reading “Visiting with Basketball’s ‘Stanley Cup’”

‘LB’ bled Black & Gold

Upon captain Wayne Cashman’s retirement at the end of the 1982-83 season, Lyndon Byers was assigned Cashman’s No. 12 sweater as a member of an impactful foursome of young forwards integrated by GM Harry Sinden into the Boston Bruins lineup during the 1983-84 season, also including Geoff Courtnall, Greg Johnston and Doug Kostynski. There wereContinue reading “‘LB’ bled Black & Gold”

Bruins count on competition, culture

Fireworks were planned, but like many Massachusetts municipalities lacking the budget or community support, so was the National Hockey League’s annual free-agent feeding frenzy effectively canceled for 2025. When it became apparent that highly sought-after Vancouver Canucks RW Brock Boeser and other free-agent, top-six forwards would not be hitting the open market after 11th-hour contractContinue reading “Bruins count on competition, culture”

Bruins’ back end back in shape

For all of the speculation focused on the reshaping of the Boston Bruins’ forward lines via trades or especially via the opening of NHL free agency at 12 noon ET Tuesday, July 1, General Manager Don Sweeney got done this morning the one thing he absolutely needed to do ahead of the bell, and thatContinue reading “Bruins’ back end back in shape”

Bruins’ choices narrowed at R2-D2

Rarely does Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney speak so matter of factly about a roster hole on his hockey team like the one left by his March 7 trade of Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The sweet, compensatory package of futures notwithstanding, he readily acknowledged in answer to Fluto Shinzawa’s question lastContinue reading “Bruins’ choices narrowed at R2-D2”

Hagens checks Bruins’ boxes

What difference does it matter who’s off the board when Boston’s pick comes up? Don Sweeney’s just going to sign those players down the road anyway. All joking aside, James Hagens checks all the boxes for the Boston Bruins, who despite an audio glitch that left Sweeney, Marco Sturm and Cam Neely in a blankContinue reading “Hagens checks Bruins’ boxes”

Passing ships pull into Hall together

Seeing a fun-loving, 18-year-old Joe Thornton pull on full goalie gear in the sweltering heat of 1997 to play net in a street-hockey game at Revere Beach involving Boston Bruins coaching and scouting staff, future teammates, the legendary Willie O’Ree(!) and – gasp – media was an experience I will never forget. It seemed likeContinue reading “Passing ships pull into Hall together”