The Boston Bruins are a professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
team based in
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
. The Bruins compete in the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL) as a member of the
Atlantic Division in the
Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since
1924, making them the
third-oldest active team in the NHL, and the oldest in the United States.
The Bruins are one of the "
Original Six" NHL teams, along with the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
,
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
,
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
,
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
, and
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
. They have won six
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
championships, tied for fourth-most of any team with the Blackhawks (trailing the Canadiens, Maple Leafs, and Red Wings, with 24, 13, and 11, respectively), and tied for second-most for an NHL team based in the United States. The Bruins have also won the
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...
four times, with their most recent win in
2022–23 having amassed 135 points—the most in one season in NHL history.
The first facility to host the Bruins was the Boston Arena (now known as
Matthews Arena), the world's oldest (built 1909–10) indoor ice hockey facility still in use for the sport at
any level of competition.
Following the Bruins' departure from the Boston Arena, the team played its home games at the
Boston Garden for 67 seasons, beginning in
1928
Events January
* January – British bacteriologist Frederick Griffith reports the results of Griffith's experiment, indirectly demonstrating that DNA is the genetic material.
* January 1 – Eastern Bloc emigration and defection: Boris B ...
and concluding in
1995
1995 was designated as:
* United Nations Year for Tolerance
* World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War
This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...
, when they moved to
TD Garden.
History
Early years (1924–1942)
In 1924, the NHL made the decision to expand to the United States. The previous year in 1923, sports promoter
Thomas Duggan received options on three NHL franchises for the United States, and sold one to
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
grocery magnate
Charles Adams. The team was one of the NHL's first expansion teams, and the first NHL team to be based in the United States. Adams' first act as owner was to hire
Art Ross, a former star player and innovator, as general manager.
Ross came up with "Bruins" for a team nickname, a name for
brown bear
The brown bear (''Ursus arctos'') is a large bear native to Eurasia and North America. Of the land carnivorans, it is rivaled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear, which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on av ...
s used in classic folk tales. The team's nickname also went along with the team's original uniform colors of brown and yellow, which came from Adams' grocery chain,
First National Stores.

On December 1, 1924, the Bruins won the first ever NHL game played in the United States, hosting the
Montreal Maroons at
Boston Arena, with
Smokey Harris scoring the first-ever Bruins goal, spurring the Bruins to a 2–1 win. This would be one of the few high points of the season, as the Bruins lost their next 11 games and only managed a 6–24–0 record, finishing in last place in its first season.
The Bruins played three more seasons at the Arena, after which they became the main tenant of
Boston Garden.
The Bruins improved in
their second season to a winning 17–15–4 record, which originally held the record for the biggest single-season improvement in NHL history, and is now third. However, they missed out on the third and final playoff berth by one point to the expansion
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
.
In
their third season, Ross took advantage of the collapse of the
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hocke ...
(WHL) to purchase several western stars, including the team's first great star,
defenseman
Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from Goal (ice hockey), scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the l ...
Eddie Shore. With the Bruins, he would go on to become one of the greatest players in NHL history. Boston qualified for the then-expanded playoffs by a comfortable margin. In their first-ever playoff run, the Bruins reached the
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...
where they lost to the
Ottawa Senators in the first Stanley Cup Finals between exclusively NHL teams. The
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
-winning game for the Senators would see Bruins'
Billy Coutu
Wilfrid Arthur "Billy" Coutu (March 1, 1892 – February 25, 1977), nicknamed "Wild Beaver", was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, the Hamilton Tigers, ...
attack the referee, earning him a ban from the NHL for life, the only in league history.

The
1928–29 season was the first played at Boston Garden. In 1929, the Bruins defeated the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
to win their first
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
in two games. Standout players on the first championship team included Shore,
Harry Oliver,
Dit Clapper,
Dutch Gainor and
goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...
Tiny Thompson.
The season after that,
1929–30, the Bruins posted the best-ever regular season
winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage or Copeland score is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. The statistic is commonly used in standings or rankings to compare teams or individuals. It is defined as wins divided by the to ...
in the NHL (.875, a record which still stands) because of a 38–5–1 record, and shattered numerous scoring records, but lost to the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in the
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...
.
The 1930s Bruins teams included Shore, Thompson, Clapper,
Babe Siebert and
Cooney Weiland. The team led the league five times in the decade.
In
1939
This year also marks the start of the World War II, Second World War, the largest and deadliest conflict in human history.
Events
Events related to World War II have a "WWII" prefix.
January
* January 1
** Coming into effect in Nazi Ger ...
, the team captured its second Stanley Cup. That year, Thompson was traded for
rookie
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience, a rookie is typically considered needing more tra ...
goaltender
Frank Brimsek. Brimsek had an award-winning season, capturing the
Vezina and
Calder Trophies, becoming the first rookie named to the NHL first All-Star team, and earning the nickname "Mr. Zero". The team skating in front of Brimsek included
Bill Cowley, Shore, Clapper and "Sudden Death"
Mel Hill (who scored three
overtime
Overtime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours. The term is also used for the pay received for this time. Normal hours may be determined in several ways:
*by custom (what is considered healthy or reasonable by society) ...
goals in one playoff series), together with the "
Kraut line" of
center Milt Schmidt,
right winger Bobby Bauer and left winger
Woody Dumart.
In the
1939–40 season, Shore was traded to the struggling
New York Americans
The New York Americans, colloquially known as the Amerks, were a professional ice hockey team based in New York City from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the second to play ...
for his final NHL season. In 1941, the Bruins won their
third Stanley Cup after losing only eight games and finishing first in the regular season.
It was their last Stanley Cup for 29 years.
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
affected the Bruins more than most teams; Brimsek and the "Krauts" all enlisted in the
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...
following the 1941 Cup win, and lost the most productive years of their careers at war.
Cowley, assisted by veteran player Clapper and
Busher Jackson, became the team's remaining star.
Original Six era (1942–1967)
The NHL had by
1942
The Uppsala Conflict Data Program project estimates this to be the deadliest year in human history in terms of conflict deaths, placing the death toll at 4.62 million. However, the Correlates of War estimates that the prior year, 1941, was th ...
been reduced, for the next 25 years, to the six teams that would come to be called the "
Original Six".
In 1944, Bruins'
Herb Cain set the then-NHL record for points in a season with 82. However, the Bruins did not make the playoffs that season.
The stars returned from World War II for the
1945–46 season, and Clapper led the team back to the
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...
as
player-coach. He retired as a player after the next season, becoming the first player to play twenty NHL seasons. Brimsek proved to be not as good as he was before the war, and after 1946 the Bruins lost in the first playoff round three consecutive years. After Brimsek was traded to the Blackhawks, the only remaining quality young player was forward
Johnny Peirson.
During the
1948–49 season, the original form of the "spoked-B" logo, with a small number "24" to the left of the capital B signifying the calendar year in the 20th century in which the Bruins team first played, and a similarly small "49" to the right of the "B", appeared on their home uniforms. The following season, the logo was modified into the basic "spoked-B" form that was to be used thereafter.
The 1950s began with Charles Adams' son
Weston
Weston may refer to:
Places Australia
* Weston, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra
* Weston, New South Wales
* Weston Creek, a residential district of Canberra
* Weston Park, Canberra, a park
Canada
* Weston, Nova Scotia
* W ...
facing financial trouble. He was forced to accept a buyout offer from
Walter A. Brown, the owner of the
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...
and the Garden, in 1951. Although there were some instances of success (such as making the Stanley Cup Finals in
1953
Events
January
* January 6 – The Asian Socialist Conference opens in Rangoon, Burma.
* January 12 – Estonian émigrés found a Estonian government-in-exile, government-in-exile in Oslo.
* January 14
** Marshal Josip Broz Tito ...
,
1957
Events January
* January 1 – The Saarland joins West Germany.
* January 3 – Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch.
* January 5 – South African player Russell Endean becomes the first batsman to be Dismissal (cricke ...
, and
1958, only to lose to the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
each time), the Bruins mustered only four winning seasons between 1947 and 1967. They missed the playoffs eight consecutive years (1960 to 1967).
On January 18, 1958, the first-ever black NHL player,
Willie O'Ree, stepped onto the ice for the Bruins. He played in 45 games for the Bruins over the
1957–58 and
1960–61 seasons. The "Uke Line"—named for the
Ukrainian heritage of
Johnny Bucyk,
Vic Stasiuk, and
Bronco Horvath – came to Boston in 1957 and enjoyed four productive offensive seasons, heralding, along with scoring stalwarts
Don McKenney and
Fleming Mackell, the successful era of the late 1950s. There followed a long and difficult reconstruction period in the early to mid-1960s.
Expansion and the Big Bad Bruins (1967–1979)
Weston Adams repurchased the Bruins in 1964 after Brown's death. Adams signed future superstar defenseman
Bobby Orr, who entered the league in
1966
Events January
* January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko.
* January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
. Orr was that season's winner of the
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. Serving ...
for Rookie of the Year and named to the second NHL All-Star Team. Despite Orr's stellar rookie season, the Bruins would miss the playoffs.
The next season, Boston made the playoffs for the first of 29 consecutive seasons, an all-time record. The Bruins then obtained forwards
Phil Esposito,
Ken Hodge and
Fred Stanfield from
Chicago
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
in a deal celebrated as one of the most one-sided in hockey history. Hodge and Stanfield became key elements of the Bruins' success, and Esposito, who centered a line with Hodge and
Wayne Cashman, became the league's top goal scorer and the first NHL player to break the 100-point mark, setting many goal- and point-scoring records. With other stars like forwards Bucyk,
John McKenzie,
Derek Sanderson, and Hodge, defenders like
Dallas Smith and goaltender
Gerry Cheevers, the "Big Bad Bruins" became one of the league's top teams from the late 1960s into the 1980s.
In
1970
Events
January
* January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC.
* January 5 – The 7.1 1970 Tonghai earthquake, Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli ...
, a 29-year Stanley Cup drought came to an end in Boston, as the Bruins defeated the
St. Louis Blues in four games in the
1970 Stanley Cup Finals. Orr scored the game-winning goal in overtime to clinch the Stanley Cup. The same season was Orr's most awarded—the third of eight consecutive years he won the
James Norris Memorial Trophy as the top defenseman in the NHL—and he won the
Art Ross Trophy, the
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy () is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the ...
and the
Hart Memorial Trophy
The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, is an annual award for the most valuable player to his team in the National Hockey League (NHL), voted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The original tr ...
, the only player to ever win four major awards in the same season.
While Sinden temporarily retired from ice hockey before the
1970–71 season to enter business (he was replaced by ex-Bruins and Canadiens defenseman
Tom Johnson), the Bruins set dozens of offensive scoring records: they had seven of the league's top ten scorers—a feat not achieved before or since—set the record for wins in a season, and in a league that had never seen a 100-point scorer before the
1968–69 season, the Bruins had four that year. All four (Orr, Esposito, Bucyk and Hodge) were named First Team All-Stars. Boston were favored to repeat as Cup champions but lost to the Canadiens (and rookie goaltender
Ken Dryden) in seven games.
While the Bruins were not quite as dominant the next season, Esposito and Orr were once again one-two in the scoring standings and Boston regained the Stanley Cup by defeating the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
in six games in the
1972 Stanley Cup Finals.
The
1972–73 season saw upheaval for the Bruins. Former head coach Sinden became the general manager. Bruins players Gerry Cheevers, Derek Sanderson,
Johnny McKenzie and
Ted Green left to join the
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association () was a professional ice hockey major league that operated in North America from 1972–73 WHA season, 1972 to 1978–79 WHA season, 1979. It was the first major league to compete with the National Hockey League (N ...
(WHA). Coach Tom Johnson was fired 52 games into the season, replaced by
Bep Guidolin. The Adams family, which had owned the team since its founding in the 1920s, sold it to
Storer Broadcasting
Storer Communications, known from 1927 to 1952 as the Fort Industry Company and from 1952 to 1983 as Storer Broadcasting, was an American media company that owned television and radio stations and cable television systems.
Founded by George Butle ...
. The Bruins' season came to a premature end in a first-round loss to the Rangers in the
1973 playoffs. In 1974, the Bruins regained their first-place standing in the regular season, with three 100-point scorers on the team (Esposito, Orr, and Hodge). However, they lost the
1974 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1974 Stanley Cup Finals was the Stanley Cup Finals, championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1973–74 NHL season, 1973–74 season, and the culmination of the 1974 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the 1973–74 ...
in an upset to the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
.
Don Cherry stepped behind the bench as the new coach in
1974–75. The Bruins stocked themselves with
enforcers and grinders, and remained competitive under Cherry's reign, the so-called "Lunch Pail A.C"., behind players such as
Gregg Sheppard,
Terry O'Reilly,
Stan Jonathan
Stanley Carl "Bulldog" Jonathan (born September 5, 1955) is a Canadian former ice hockey left winger, most notably for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, for whom he played for parts of eight seasons, and featured in two Stanley Cup ...
and
Peter McNab. This would also turn out to be Orr's final full season in the league, before his knee injuries worsened, as well as the last time Orr and Esposito would finish 1–2 in regular season scoring. The Bruins placed second in the Adams Division, and lost to the
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
in the first round of the
1975 playoffs, losing a best-of-three series, two games to one.
Continuing with Sinden's rebuilding of the team, the Bruins traded Esposito and
Carol Vadnais for
Brad Park,
Jean Ratelle and
Joe Zanussi to the Rangers. The Bruins made the semifinals again, losing to the Flyers, before losing Orr as a free agent to Chicago in the off-season.
Cheevers returned in
1977
Events January
* January 8 – 1977 Moscow bombings, Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group.
* January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (no ...
, and the Bruins got past the Flyers in the semifinals, but were swept by the Canadiens in the
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...
. The story repeated itself in
1978
Events January
* January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213.
* January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
—with a balanced attack that saw Boston have 11 players with 20+ goal seasons, still the NHL record—as the Bruins made the
Cup Finals once more, but lost in six games to Montreal. After that series, John Bucyk retired, holding virtually every Bruins' career longevity and scoring mark to that time.
The
1979 semifinals series against the Canadiens proved to be Cherry's undoing. In the deciding seventh game, the Bruins, up by a goal, were called for having too many men on the ice in the late stages of the third period. Montreal tied the game on the ensuing power play and won in overtime. Cherry was dismissed as head coach thereafter.
Ray Bourque era (1979–2000)
The
1979–80 season saw a new head coach
Fred Creighton, and also included a trade of goaltender
Ron Grahame to the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...
for a first-round pick which was used to select
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
, one of the greatest defensemen of all-time and the face of the Bruins for over two decades. The Bruins made the playoffs every year through the 1980s behind stars such as Park, Bourque and
Rick Middleton, and had the league's best record in
1982–83 behind a
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...
-winning season from ex-Flyers goaltender
Pete Peeters, with 110 points, but fell short of making the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bourque,
Cam Neely and
Keith Crowder led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup Finals appearance in
1988 against the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
. The Bruins lost in a four-game sweep. Boston returned to the Stanley Cup Finals in
1990 (with Neely, Bourque,
Craig Janney,
Bobby Carpenter, and
rookie
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience, a rookie is typically considered needing more tra ...
Don Sweeney, and former Oilers goaltender
Andy Moog and
Reggie Lemelin splitting goaltending duties), but again lost to the Oilers, this time in five games.
In the
1987–88 NHL season
The 1987–88 NHL season was the 71st season of the National Hockey League. It was an 80-game season with the top four teams in each division advancing to the Stanley Cup playoffs. This season would see the Edmonton Oilers win their fourth Stanl ...
, the Bruins defeated their
Original Six nemesis Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs. In
1991
It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...
and
1992
1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General.
* January 6
** The Republ ...
, the Bruins suffered two consecutive conference finals losses to the eventual Cup champion, the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
. Starting from the
1992–93 NHL season onwards, the Bruins had not gotten past the second round of the playoffs until winning the Stanley Cup after the
2011 season.
The 1992–93 season ended disappointingly. Despite finishing with the second-best regular season record after Pittsburgh, Boston was swept in the first round by the
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...
. Bourque made the NHL All-Star First Team.
The
1995 season was the Bruins' last at the
Boston Garden. The final official match played in the Garden was a 3–0 loss to the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
in the 1995 playoffs; the Bruins went on to play the final game at the old arena on September 28, 1995, in an exhibition matchup against the Canadiens. They subsequently moved into the FleetCenter, now known as the
TD Garden. In the 1996 playoffs, the Bruins lost their first-round series to the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
in five games.
In
1997
Events January
* January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States.
* January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis.
* January 1 ...
, Boston missed the playoffs for the first time in 30 years (and for the first time in the expansion era), having set the North American major professional record for most consecutive seasons in the playoffs. The Bruins lost in the first round of the 1998 playoffs to the
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
in six games. In 1999, the Bruins defeated the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
in six games during the first round of the playoffs. Nevertheless, they would lose to the Sabres in six games in the second round of the playoffs.
The new millennium (2000–2015)
In the
1999–2000 season, the Bruins finished in last place in the Northeast Division and failed to qualify for the playoffs. During a game between the Bruins and the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
on February 21, 2000,
Marty McSorley was ejected for using his stick to hit Canucks forward
Donald Brashear in the head, and subsequently suspended for what resulted in the rest of his career.
After a mediocre start, the Bruins fired coach
Pat Burns in favor of
Mike Keenan. Despite a 15-point improvement, the Bruins missed the playoffs in
2000–01, and Keenan was let go. Center
Jason Allison led the Bruins in scoring. The following season,
2001–02, the Bruins won their first Northeast Division title since
1993
The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as:
* International Year for the World's Indigenous People
The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...
with a core built around
Joe Thornton,
Sergei Samsonov,
Brian Rolston,
Bill Guerin,
Mike Knuble and
Glen Murray. They lost in six games to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs.
The
2002–03 season found the Bruins finishing seventh in the East, but lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
in five games. In
2003–04, the Bruins won another division title and appeared to get past the first round for the first time in five years with a 3–1 series lead on the rival Canadiens. However, the Canadiens rallied back to win three consecutive games, upsetting the Bruins.
The
2004–05 NHL season was wiped out by a
lockout, and Bruins management eschewed younger free agents in favor of older veterans. The Bruins fired general manager Mike O'Connell in March and the Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Peter Chiarelli was hired as the new general manager of the team. Head coach
Mike Sullivan was fired and
Dave Lewis, former coach of the Detroit Red Wings, was hired to replace him. The Bruins signed star defenseman
Zdeno Chara, and center
Marc Savard. The 2006–07 season ended in the team finishing in last place in the division.
After the disappointing
2006–07 season, Lewis was fired as coach, replaced by
Claude Julien.
The
2007–08 campaign saw the Bruins finish 41–29–12 and making the playoffs. Although Bruins center
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron-Cleary (born July 24, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Boston Bruins. He served as Captain (sports), team captain f ...
was injured with a concussion most of the season, youngsters
Milan Lucic,
David Krejci and
Vladimir Sobotka showed promise in the playoffs.
After a slow start to the
2008–09 season, the Bruins went on to have the best record in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the playoffs for the fifth time in nine years, facing the Canadiens in the playoffs for the fourth time during that span, defeating them in four games before losing in seven games to the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
in the conference semifinals.
On January 1, 2010, the Bruins won the
2010 Winter Classic over the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
in a 2–1 overtime decision at
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a ballpark located in Boston, Massachusetts, less than one mile from Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home field of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox. While the stadium was built in 1912, it was substantia ...
, thus becoming the first home team to win an outdoor classic game. They finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, and a 2010 NHL playoff opening round appearance against the Buffalo Sabres, which they won 4–2. Boston became only the third team in NHL history to lose a playoff series after leading 3–0 when they lost in game 7 to the Philadelphia Flyers.

In the
2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Bruins eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in seven games. On May 6, the Bruins swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four games to advance to the conference finals for the first time since
1992
1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General.
* January 6
** The Republ ...
. Boston then defeated the
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...
in seven games and advanced to the
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...
for the first time since
1990 to face the Vancouver Canucks, defeating them in seven games for the team's first Stanley Cup since 1972. The 2010–11 Bruins were the first team in NHL history to win a game 7 three times in the same playoff run.
Following their Stanley Cup win, the Bruins lost
Mark Recchi to retirement and
Michael Ryder and Tomas Kaberle to free agency. The Bruins went on to finish second in the Eastern Conference with 102 points, winning the Northeast Division title, but losing to the Washington Capitals in the first round of the
2012 Stanley Cup playoffs in seven games.
During the off-season preceding the
lockout, Tim Thomas made his decision to sit out the
2012–13 season; his rights were traded to the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
. The Bruins battled the Montreal Canadiens for leadership in the Northeast Division all season, before a loss to the Ottawa Senators in a make-up game following the
Boston Marathon bombing
The Boston Marathon bombing, sometimes referred to as simply the Boston bombing, was an Islamist domestic terrorist attack that took place during the 117th annual Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarna ...
on April 28 gave the Canadiens the division title.

In the opening round of the
2013 playoffs, the Bruins took on the Toronto Maple Leafs, defeating them in seven games. They went on to beat the New York Rangers in five games and the Pittsburgh Penguins in a four-game sweep to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals and the Chicago Blackhawks, falling in six games, with three going into overtime.
In the
2013–14 season, the Bruins won the
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...
after finishing first in the newly formed
Atlantic Division with a record of 54–19–9 for 117 points. Their regular season success, however, would not translate into another conference finals appearance. Despite winning their first-round series against the Detroit Red Wings, the team fell to the Canadiens in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals during the
2014 playoffs.
In the
2014–15 season, the Bruins finished with a record of 41–27–14 for 96 points, missing out on the playoffs by just two points after the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators clinched the final two playoff spots in the East. The Bruins therefore became only the third team to miss the playoffs after winning the Presidents' Trophy in the previous season. The 96 points they earned that season broke the record for the most points earned by a team that did not make the playoffs.
Don Sweeney era (2015–present)
On April 15, 2015, Peter Chiarelli was fired by the Boston Bruins. On May 20, the Bruins named former player
Don Sweeney as the team's new general manager for the
2015–16 season. One recent all-time franchise achievement the Bruins attained in the 2015–16 season is shared by only their greatest rival, the Canadiens – a total of 3,000 wins in the team's existence, achieved by the Bruins on January 8, 2016, in a 4–1 road victory against the New Jersey Devils. The team was seen as a playoff contender throughout the regular season. However, a sub-.500 record on home ice and frequent road losses in the final two months of the regular season resulted in a three-way battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins had a chance to clinch the final playoff berth with a win over the Ottawa Senators on the second-to-last day of the season, but they lost the game and that combined with a Flyers' win over the Penguins, knocked them out of playoff contention in favor of the Flyers. For the first time since the two seasons following the 2004–05 lockout, the Bruins did not qualify for the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.

During the last two months of the
2016–17 regular season, the Bruins fired head coach Claude Julien and promoted
Bruce Cassidy to interim coach. Cassidy's very slight changes in coaching to emphasize the players' speed and hockey skills, as opposed to Julien's, resulted in the Bruins achieving an 18–8–1 record through their remaining regular season games, finishing third in the Atlantic Division and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since the 2013–14 season. In the first round of the playoffs, the Bruins lost to the Ottawa Senators in six games.
Cassidy returned as head coach for the
2017–18 season, leading the Bruins to the playoffs a consecutive season. They had a record of 50–20–12, including an 18-game point streak, which lasted from December 14, 2017, to January 25, 2018. They finished one point behind the
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...
for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. They defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, 4–3, but ultimately lost to the Lightning in round two, 4–1. The season saw young players perform well, including
Jake DeBrusk,
Danton Heinen,
Ryan Donato, and
Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins also acquired veterans
Rick Nash,
Nick Holden,
Brian Gionta, and
Tommy Wingels through trades or through free-agent signings.
During the
2018–19 season the Bruins finished the regular season in second place in the division with a 49–24–9 overall record. During the trade deadline, the team acquired
Charlie Coyle and
Marcus Johansson. In the first round of the
2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, as in the previous season, they faced the Maple Leafs, defeating them in seven games. In a six-game series, the Bruins defeated the
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...
in the second round and advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2013. The Bruins won the conference finals by sweeping out the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
in four games, thus winning the
Prince of Wales Trophy and advancing to the
2019 Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in 10 years. They faced the
St. Louis Blues in a rematch of the
1970 Stanley Cup Finals. This time, however, the Blues would emerge victorious, winning in seven games.
During the
2019–20 season, the Bruins consistently had the best record in the Atlantic Division and were near the top of the league. During the trade deadline, they acquired
Ondrej Kase and
Nick Ritchie, both from the
Anaheim Ducks, in two separate trades. On March 12, 2020, the NHL season was paused due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. At the time of the pause, the Bruins were first overall in the league, with 100 points. On May 26, Commissioner
Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman (born June 2, 1952) is an American sports executive who serves as the NHL commissioner, commissioner of the National Hockey League (NHL), a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice preside ...
announced that the 2019–20 regular season was completed and that the league would resume with the playoffs. The Bruins were awarded the
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...
for the second time in a decade, while
David Pastrnak's 48 goals made him the first Bruin to win the
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, which he shared with
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (, ; born 17September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), left winger and Captain (ice hockey), captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the ...
. During the
2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Bruins won the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, also in five games. In the
2020–21 season, the Bruins made the
2021 playoffs, where they defeated the
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
in five games but lost to the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
in six games. In the
next season, the Bruins clinched the
2022 playoffs as the first wild card team but were defeated by the Hurricanes in seven games. Following the season, head coach Cassidy was fired. They then hired
Jim Montgomery, previously the head coach of the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
, as their next head coach on July 3, 2022.
During the
2022–23 season, the Bruins broke NHL records and led the Atlantic Division for the entire season. First, they set an NHL record for longest home winning streak from the start of a season (14) from October 15 to December 3. Then on March 2, 2023, the Bruins recorded their 100th standings point of the season in their 61st game, becoming the fastest team to 100 points in NHL history, and surpassing the record previously held by the
1976–77 Montreal Canadiens. Nine days later, they set an all-time NHL record as the fastest team to achieve 50 wins, hitting the mark in 64 games compared to a previous record of 66 games held jointly by the
1995–96 Detroit Red Wings and
2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning. In that same game, the Bruins became the third-fastest team in history to clinch a playoff spot during the era of 82-game seasons, trailing only the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings (59 games) and the
1998–99 Dallas Stars (63 games). On April 9, 2023, the Bruins set the new all-time record for most games won in a season (63), when they defeated the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
. Two days later, the Bruins set the new all-time single-season points record (133), when they defeated the Washington Capitals, and they finished the season with 65 wins and 135 points. The Bruins lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games in the opening round of the
2023 Stanley Cup playoffs after giving up a 3–1 series lead.
In the
2023–24 season, the Bruins finished in second place in the Atlantic Division with 109 points. In the first round of the
2024 playoffs, the Bruins eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, and in the second round, they were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers again, this time in six games.
In the
2024–25 season, the Bruins fired Jim Montgomery and named
Joe Sacco as interim head coach. They finished in last place in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Team information
Logo and uniforms
Since 1948, the Bruins' logo is an eight-spoked, black and gold
wheel
A wheel is a rotating component (typically circular in shape) that is intended to turn on an axle Bearing (mechanical), bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the Simple machine, six simple machin ...
with the letter "B" in the center, a nod to Boston's nickname of "The Hub".
The logo has been tweaked numerous times over the course of its history, reaching its current form in 2007. The general design, in use since 1949, features the circle and "B" in black with gold spokes; black borders and a gold outer circle were added in 1995 and serifs on the "B" were added in 2007. The block "B" logo itself preceded the "Spoked B" and is currently the logo used in their third jersey.
The Bruins have also used an alternate logo featuring a walking bear surrounded by the full team name. The logo was first used from 1924 to 1932, and a modernized version was adopted as the team's secondary logo in 2007.
The Bruins' colors were originally brown and gold. They wore brown uniforms in their maiden season, but switched to a white uniform with alternating brown and gold stripes the next season. The uniforms were paired with beige pants and either gold or white socks. After the 1932 season the walking bear logo was replaced with a simple block "B" logo.
Starting with the 1935–36 season, the Bruins replaced brown with black, while also sporting gold socks full-time. The "B" logo moved to the sleeves while the uniform number occupied the front. Black pants also replaced the beige pants.
For a majority of the 1940s, the Bruins sported gold numbers on the white uniform. From 1940 to 1944 they also wore a gold uniform with a script "Bruins" wordmark in front. To commemorate their 25th anniversary, the Bruins released a new white uniform featuring the first iteration of the "Spoked B" logo. The gold "B" on the logo was crudely drawn inside a black-spoked wheel, with "24" and "49" added to represent the foundation year and the franchise's 25th year respectively. They also debuted a black uniform with the block "B" logo in front.
Beginning in 1949, the "B" on the "Spoked B" logo was changed to block lettering. They also brought back the black numbers. With a few cosmetic changes in the stripes and yoke along with the addition of the primitive bear head logo in 1977, the Bruins kept this overall design until 1995.
In 1955, the Bruins brought the "Spoked B" logo over to the black uniform; they also released a gold jersey with the "Spoked B" in front. The black uniform crest would feature an inverse version of the "Spoked B", with the gold and black elements reversed, while the gold uniform featured the same logo but in a black circle. During this period, the gold jersey was used as the primary dark uniform while relegating the black uniform (updated with white numbers) into alternate status for several seasons. Also, for a few games between 1958 and 1965, the Bruins wore gold pants.
In 1967, the Bruins retired the gold uniforms and reinstated the black uniforms with gold numbers. As with the white uniforms, they endured several cosmetic changes until 1995. The gold socks, which had numerous striping modifications since 1934, was briefly retired in favor of wearing white socks full-time. It was brought back for the 1969–70 season and would be paired with the regular black uniforms for the next 47 seasons.
Starting with the 1995–96 season, the Bruins released a new uniform set, featuring the updated "Spoked B" logo. The primary uniforms featured a thick contrasting stripe that extended from sleeve to sleeve. In addition, a gold third jersey was released, featuring the infamous "Pooh Bear" logo (an homage to
Winnie the Pooh). The gold thirds were used until 2006, after which the Bruins wore throwback black uniforms based on the 1970s design.
Moving to the
Reebok Edge template in 2007, the Bruins unveiled new uniforms with the current "Spoked B" logo. The overall design borrowed a few elements from the 1970s uniforms, and also unveiled a new rendition of the original walking bear logo on the shoulders. The following season, they released new black third jerseys with the aforementioned bear logo in front and the "Spoked B" logo on the shoulders.
For the 2010 Winter Classic, the Bruins wore a brown and gold variation of the 1948–49 design. Then for the
2016 Winter Classic, the Bruins wore a black and gold variation of the original brown uniforms, a design they carried over the following season as an alternate.
The Bruins kept much of the same design upon moving to
Adidas
Adidas AG (; stylized in all lowercase since 1949) is a German athletic apparel and footwear corporation headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the ...
' AdiZero template in 2017. However, the black uniforms were now paired with black socks, a feature previously reserved on the alternate black uniforms.
For the
2019 Winter Classic, the Bruins wore white uniforms with brown and gold stripes and the "B" logo in front, paying homage to the mid-1930s uniforms. The simple "B" logo also adorned their new black alternate uniform, which was unveiled in the 2019–20 season and paid homage to the team's 1950s uniforms.
Prior to the 2020–21 season, Adidas released its "Reverse Retro" series of alternate uniforms, which were alternate color renditions of
throwback uniform designs. The Bruins' version was taken from the team's 1977 to 1995 design, but with a gold base and black accents.
A second "Reverse Retro" uniform was released in the 2022–23 season, this time featuring a white version of the 1995–2006 "Pooh Bear" alternates.
Boston's
2023 Winter Classic uniform mixed various styles from the team's uniform history. The black-based uniform featured gold stripes and vintage white letters. The "BOSTON" wordmark was inspired by the 1949 "Spoked B" logo, and the original bear head logo from 1977 to 1995 was positioned below.
For the 2023–24 centennial season, the Bruins unveiled a new set of uniforms, along with a commemorative logo featuring the modern "Spoked B" logo minus the gold outer circle and black borders on the spokes and "B", closely resembling the original design worn from 1949 to 1995. The white uniform would feature the aforementioned logo, while the black uniform would feature an inverted version, with the "B" and circle in gold with black spokes. The gold used on the primary uniforms is a paler shade called "Centennial gold" rather than the traditional yellow gold; the yellow gold version remained in use for promotional purposes. In addition, the three gold stripes on each sleeve represented the six Stanley Cups the team has won, which are accented with thin black and thick white stripes. White numbers returned to the black uniform for the first time since the early 1960s and names featured no additional trim. An alternate beige uniform was also released. This design featured a modern take on the first "Spoked B" logo worn during the 1948–49 25th anniversary season, modified to include the foundation year "1924" along the horizontal spoke. The uniform heavily borrowed elements from the 1967–1974 uniforms which featured a gold yoke, but with brown and white trim. The brown-accented alternates were worn in all home games against Original Six teams, and a road game each at the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.
In a December 1, 2024, game against the Montreal Canadiens, the Bruins wore a commemorative uniform to honor the 100th anniversary of the franchise's first-ever game. The design featured the modernized version of the 1949–1995 "spoked B" logo worn during the centennial 2023–24 season but in the current yellow gold shade, and an inverted color version of the centennial "walking bear" patch along the right chest. The uniform was heavily based on the 1981–1995 uniforms, albeit with black tips on the gold socks. The collar featured the score of the team's first-ever game against the
Montreal Maroons.
Ownership
The team founder Charles Adams owned the team until 1936, at which point he transferred his stock to son
Weston Adams, general manager and minority owner
Art Ross and minority owner Ralph Burkard. Weston Adams remained majority owner until 1951, when the
Boston Garden-Arena Corporation purchased controlling interest in the team. Under the Garden-Arena Corporation's management,
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...
founder
Walter A. Brown ran the team from 1951 until his death in 1964. After Brown's death, Weston Adams returned to the role of team president. In 1969, he was succeeded by his son,
Weston Adams, Jr.
On December 7, 1973,
Storer Broadcasting
Storer Communications, known from 1927 to 1952 as the Fort Industry Company and from 1952 to 1983 as Storer Broadcasting, was an American media company that owned television and radio stations and cable television systems.
Founded by George Butle ...
, owner of
WSBK-TV
WSBK-TV (channel 38) is an independent television station in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations group alongside CBS outlet WBZ-TV (channel 4). The two stations share studios on Soldiers Field R ...
, and the Garden-Arena Corporation agreed to a merger which resulted in Storer acquiring a 100% interest in the Bruins. Adams remained as team president. In August 1975, Storer Broadcasting then sold the team to an ownership group headed by
Jeremy Jacobs. Jacobs had to promise to keep Bobby Orr as a condition of the purchase. The Bruins and Orr reached a verbal agreement with Jacobs during the summer of 1975, including a controversial agreement for Orr to take an 18.5% share of the Bruins after his playing days were over. The agreement was to be checked out as to whether it would be legal for tax reasons and whether or not the league would approve it. However, Orr's agent, the later-notorious
Alan Eagleson, rejected the deal.
Jacobs represents the club on the NHL's board of governors, and serves on its executive committee, and he has chaired the finance committee. At the NHL board of governors meeting in June 2007, Jacobs was elected chairman of the board, replacing the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
'
Harley Hotchkiss, who stepped down after 12 years in the position. Jacobs has frequently been listed by the ''
Sports Business Journal'' as one of the most influential people in sports in its annual poll and by ''The Hockey News''. His company owns TD Garden and he is partners with
John Henry, owner of
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
's
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
, in the
New England Sports Network (NESN).
After taking over as owner in 1975, the Bruins have been competitive (making the playoffs for 29 consecutive seasons from
1967–68 to
1995–96, 20 of which were with Jacobs as owner) but have won the Stanley Cup only once, in
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
and only in his 36th year as owner. Under previous ownerships, the Bruins had won the Stanley Cup five times. Under Jacobs, the Bruins have reached the Stanley Cup Finals seven times (twice against the Bruins' arch-rival Montreal Canadiens in
1977
Events January
* January 8 – 1977 Moscow bombings, Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group.
* January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (no ...
and
1978
Events January
* January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213.
* January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
, twice against the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
in
1988 and
1990, finally winning in 2011 against the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
, and losing in
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
and
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
to the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues). Jacobs' management of the team in the past earned him spots on
ESPN.com's "
Page 2" polls of "The Worst Owners in Sports", and number 7 on their 2005 "Greediest Owners in sports" list. ''
Sports Illustrated
''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...
'' has suggested longtime star defenseman Ray Bourque, who "often drawn the ire of the
NHLPA for his willingness to re-sign with Boston with minimal negotiations over the years" instead of setting the "watermark for defenseman salaries", requested and received a trade in 2000 since the team's "hardline and spendthrift ways" meant he would have to make the move to get his elusive Stanley Cup (Bourque holds the record for most games played before winning the Cup). Prior to the
NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2005, fans felt team management was not willing to spend to win the Stanley Cup.
Since 2005, Jacobs' public image has improved as he invested in the team and rebuilding the front office to make the team more competitive. The Bruins were the second highest-ranked team in the NHL in the 2008–09 season and were the top-seeded team in the East. With a complete change in management, including now-former general manager
Peter Chiarelli – who lost his position with the Bruins on April 15, 2015, with the May 20 hiring of
Don Sweeney – long-time assistant general manager with the team. Sweeney and team president Cam Neely had continued working with the longest-term Bruins head coach ever,
Claude Julien until his firing on February 7, 2017,
with
Bruce Cassidy being hired as interim head coach with Julien's firing – Cassidy would become the permanent head coach of the Bruins as of April 26, 2017.
Neely has continued as team president since the Bruins' most recent Stanley Cup victory in 2011.
The current administrators in the Bruins front office are:
*
Jeremy Jacobs – owner
*
Charlie Jacobs
Charles Marvin Jacobs (born September 16, 1971) is the co-Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North, a role he shares with his brothers, Jerry and Lou. Jacobs is also Chief Executive Officer and Alternate Governor for the Boston Bruins. He is th ...
– principal
*
Don Sweeney – general manager
*
Cam Neely – president
*
Harry Sinden – senior advisor to the owner
Training facilities
The Bruins previously trained and practiced at the
Bright-Landry Hockey Center in
Allston, Massachusetts (built in 1956), then moved to the Ristuccia Ice Arena in
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Wilmington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Its population was 23,349 at the 2020 United States census.
History
Wilmington was first settled in 1665 and was officially incorporated in 1730, from parts of Woburn, Re ...
, itself completed in 1986, before the September 2016 completion of
Warrior Ice Arena in the
Brighton
Brighton ( ) is a seaside resort in the city status in the United Kingdom, city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England, south of London.
Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age Britain, Bronze Age, R ...
neighborhood of Boston, where they are currently training.
Bruins' mascots

Blades the Bruin is an
anthropomorphic bear serves as the Bruins' team mascot. In January and February, Blades travels around the greater Boston area to raise money for the Bruins Foundation. For a sizable amount of the team's more recent TV and online ads, a different anthropomorphic ursine character simply known as "The Bear" appears in official Bruins video advertising.
Team songs
When Boston television station
WSBK-TV
WSBK-TV (channel 38) is an independent television station in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations group alongside CBS outlet WBZ-TV (channel 4). The two stations share studios on Soldiers Field R ...
began broadcasting Bruins games in 1967,
The Ventures
The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson (musician), Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar acro ...
'
instrumental rock
Instrumental rock is rock music that emphasizes instrumental performance and features very little or no singing. Examples of instrumental music in rock can be found in practically every subgenre of the style. Instrumental rock was most popular f ...
version of the Nutcracker's overture, known as "Nutty", was selected as the opening piece of music for Bruins telecasts. The song "Nutty" has been identified with the Bruins ever since.
On ice, "Paree", a 1920s hit tune written by Leo Robin and Jose Padilla, has been played as an organ instrumental for decades, typically as the players entered the arena just before the start of each period and, for many years, after each Bruins' goal. It was introduced by
John Kiley, the organist for the Bruins from the 1950s through the 1980s. In 1998, the John Kiley rendition of "Paree" was dropped as a goal song; "
Kernkraft 400 (Sport Chant Stadium Remix)" by
Zombie Nation is the current one.
Season-by-season record
''This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Bruins. For the full season-by-season history, see
List of Boston Bruins seasons''
''Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against''
Players and personnel
Current roster
Team captains
*
Sprague Cleghorn, 1925–1928
*
Lionel Hitchman, 1928–1931
*
George Owen, 1931–1932
*
Dit Clapper, 1932–1933; 1939–1944
*
Marty Barry, 1933–34
*
Nels Stewart, 1934–35
*
Eddie Shore, 1935–36
*
Red Beattie, 1936–37
*
Cooney Weiland, 1937–1939
*
Bill Cowley, 1944–1945
*
Jack Crawford, 1945–1946
*
Bobby Bauer, 1946–1947
*
Milt Schmidt, 1947–1954
*
Ed Sandford, 1954–1955
*
Fernie Flaman, 1955–1961
*
Don McKenney, 1961–1963
*
Leo Boivin
Leo Joseph Boivin (August 2, 1931 – October 16, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey Defenceman (ice hockey), defenceman and coach who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston ...
, 1963–1966
*
Johnny Bucyk, 1966–1967; 1973–1977
*
Wayne Cashman, 1977–1983
*
Terry O'Reilly, 1983–1985
*
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
and
Rick Middleton, 1985–1988 (co-captains)
* Ray Bourque, 1988–2000
*
Jason Allison, 2000–2001
*
Joe Thornton, 2002–2005
*
Zdeno Chara, 2006–2020
*
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron-Cleary (born July 24, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Boston Bruins. He served as Captain (sports), team captain f ...
, 2021–2023
*
Brad Marchand, 2023–2025
There is evidence from contemporary newspaper accounts and photographs that Bruins manager
Art Ross appointed captains on an annual basis in the 1930s and 1940s, and generally for a single season only.
These include
Marty Barry in 1933–34,
Nels Stewart in 1934–35,
Eddie Shore in 1935–36,
Red Beattie in 1936–37,
Bill Cowley in 1944–45 and
Bobby Bauer in 1946–47.
These captaincies had not been acknowledged by the Bruins' organization for many years, which had declined comment on the question. On September 20, 2023, the team confirmed these captaincies, stating there have been 27 captains in franchise history.
Head coaches
On June 5, 2025, the Bruins announced the hiring of
Marco Sturm
Marco Johann Sturm (born September 8, 1978) is a German professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the List of NHL head coaches, head coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). As a Forward (ice hockey), forward, ...
as the 30th head coach in history. Sturm played for the Bruins from 2005-2010, and will be the first European head coach in team history.
General managers
Following the team's failure to make the
2015 playoffs,
Peter Chiarelli was fired as general manager on April 15, 2015, with
Don Sweeney hired as Chiarelli's replacement on May 20, 2015.
Presidents
*
Charles F. Adams, November 1, 1924 – 1936
*
Weston W. Adams, Sr., 1936–1951
*
Walter A. Brown, 1951 – September 1964
*
Weston W. Adams, Sr., September 1964 – March 30, 1969
*
Weston W. Adams, Jr., March 31, 1969 – September 30, 1975
*
Paul A. Mooney, October 1, 1975 – March 24, 1987
*
William D. Hassett, Jr., March 24, 1987 – December 1, 1988
*
Harry Sinden, December 1, 1988 – August 9, 2006
*
Cam Neely, June 16, 2010 – present
First-round draft picks
*
1963
Events January
* January 1 – Bogle–Chandler case: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation scientist Dr. Gilbert Bogle and Mrs. Margaret Chandler are found dead (presumed poisoned), in bushland near the Lane Cove ...
:
Orest Romashyna (3rd overall)
*
1964:
Alex Campbell (2nd overall)
*
1965
Events January–February
* January 14 – The First Minister of Northern Ireland and the Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland meet for the first time in 43 years.
* January 20
** Lyndon B. Johnson is Second inauguration of Lynd ...
:
Joe Bailey (4th overall)
*
1966
Events January
* January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko.
* January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
:
Barry Gibbs (1st overall)
*
1967
Events January
* January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair.
* January 6 – Vietnam War: United States Marine Corps and Army of ...
:
Meehan Bonnar (10th overall)
*
1968
Events January–February
* January 1968, January – The I'm Backing Britain, I'm Backing Britain campaign starts spontaneously.
* January 5 – Prague Spring: Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Cze ...
:
Danny Schock (12th overall)
*
1969:
Don Tannahill (3rd overall),
Frank Spring (4th overall), and
Ivan Boldirev (11th overall)
*
1970
Events
January
* January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC.
* January 5 – The 7.1 1970 Tonghai earthquake, Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli ...
:
Reggie Leach (3rd overall),
Rick MacLeish (4th overall),
Ron Plumb (9th overall), and
Bob Stewart (13th overall)
*
1971 *
The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses (Solar eclipse of February 25, 1971, February 25, Solar eclipse of July 22, 1971, July 22 and Solar eclipse of August 20, 1971, August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 1971 lunar eclip ...
:
Ron Jones (6th overall) and
Terry O'Reilly (14th overall)
*
1972
Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using Solar time, ...
:
Mike Bloom (16th overall)
*
1973
Events January
* January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union.
* January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...
:
Andre Savard (6th overall)
*
1974:
Don Larway (18th overall)
*
1975
It was also declared the ''International Women's Year'' by the United Nations and the European Architectural Heritage Year by the Council of Europe.
Events
January
* January 1 – Watergate scandal (United States): John N. Mitchell, H. R. ...
:
Doug Halward (14th overall)
*
1976
Events January
* January 2 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force.
* January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea.
* January 18 – Full diplomatic ...
:
Clayton Pachal (16th overall)
*
1977
Events January
* January 8 – 1977 Moscow bombings, Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group.
* January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (no ...
:
Dwight Foster (16th overall)
*
1978
Events January
* January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213.
* January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
:
Al Secord (16th overall)
*
1979
Events
January
* January 1
** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...
:
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
(8th overall) and
Brad McCrimmon (15th overall)
*
1980
Events January
* January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission.
* January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...
:
Barry Pederson (18th overall)
*
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...
:
Normand Leveille (14th overall)
*
1982:
Gord Kluzak (1st overall)
*
1983
1983 saw both the official beginning of the Internet and the first mobile cellular telephone call.
Events January
* January 1 – The migration of the ARPANET to TCP/IP is officially completed (this is considered to be the beginning of the ...
:
Nevin Markwart (21st overall)
*
1984
Events
January
* January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888.
* January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeas ...
:
Dave Pasin (19th overall)
*
1986:
Craig Janney (13th overall)
*
1987
Events January
* January 1 – Bolivia reintroduces the Boliviano currency.
* January 2 – Chadian–Libyan conflict – Battle of Fada: The Military of Chad, Chadian army destroys a Libyan armoured brigade.
* January 3 – Afghan leader ...
:
Glen Wesley (3rd overall) and
Stephane Quintal (14th overall)
*
1988:
Robert Cimetta (18th overall)
*
1989
1989 was a turning point in political history with the "Revolutions of 1989" which ended communism in Eastern Bloc of Europe, starting in Poland and Hungary, with experiments in power-sharing coming to a head with the opening of the Berlin W ...
:
Shayne Stevenson (17th overall)
*
1990:
Bryan Smolinski (21st overall)
*
1991
It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...
:
Glen Murray (18th overall)
*
1992
1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General.
* January 6
** The Republ ...
:
Dmitri Kvartalnov (16th overall)
*
1993
The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as:
* International Year for the World's Indigenous People
The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...
:
Kevyn Adams (25th overall)
*
1994
The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations.
In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...
:
Evgeni Ryabchikov (21st overall)
*
1995
1995 was designated as:
* United Nations Year for Tolerance
* World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War
This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...
:
Kyle McLaren (9th overall) and
Sean Brown (21st overall)
*
1996
1996 was designated as:
* International Year for the Eradication of Poverty
Events January
* January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...
:
Johnathan Aitken (8th overall)
*
1997
Events January
* January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States.
* January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis.
* January 1 ...
:
Joe Thornton (1st overall) and
Sergei Samsonov (8th overall)
*
1999
1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons.
Events January
* January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers.
* January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
:
Nick Boynton (21st overall)
*
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
:
Lars Jonsson (7th overall) and
Martin Samuelsson (27th overall)
*
2001
The year's most prominent event was the September 11 attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror. The United States led a Participan ...
:
Shaone Morrisonn (19th overall)
*
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
:
Hannu Toivonen (29th overall)
*
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
:
Mark Stuart (21st overall)
*
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
:
Matt Lashoff (22nd overall)
*
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
:
Phil Kessel (5th overall)
*
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
:
Zach Hamill (8th overall)
*
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
:
Joe Colborne (16th overall)
*
2009
2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...
:
Jordan Caron (25th overall)
*
2010
The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...
:
Tyler Seguin (2nd overall)
*
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
:
Dougie Hamilton (9th overall)
*
2012
2012 was designated as:
*International Year of Cooperatives
*International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Events January
*January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
* January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...
:
Malcolm Subban (24th overall)
*
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
:
David Pastrnak (25th overall)
*
2015
2015 was designated by the United Nations as:
* International Year of Light
* International Year of Soil __TOC__
Events
January
* January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...
:
Jakub Zboril (13th overall),
Jake DeBrusk (14th overall) and
Zachary Senyshyn (15th overall)
*
2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
:
Charlie McAvoy (14th overall),
Trent Frederic (29th overall)
*
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
:
Urho Vaakanainen
Urho Vaakanainen (born 1 January 1999) is a Finnish professional ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and mar ...
(18th overall)
*
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
:
John Beecher (30th overall)
*
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
:
Fabian Lysell (21st overall)
*
2024
The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...
:
Dean Letourneau (25th overall)
Team and league honors
Retired numbers

Notes:
*
1 Hitchman was the first player to have his number retired by the Bruins, and the second in
both the NHL, and
in all of North American professional sports.
* The NHL retired
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...
's number 99 for all of its member teams at the
2000 NHL All-Star Game.
* The Bruins are the only Original Six team that have not retired the uniform number 1.
Hall of Famers
The Boston Bruins acknowledge an affiliation with 58 inductees to the
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame () is a museum and hall of fame located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League (NHL) records, memorabilia and National Hockey Le ...
: 52 former players and six builders of the sport.
The six individuals recognized as builders by the Hall of Fame includes former Bruins executives, general managers, head coaches, and owners. In addition to players and builders, two broadcasters for the Bruins were also awarded the
Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1984,
Fred Cusick, a
play-by-play announcer, was awarded the Hall of Fame's inaugural Foster Hewitt Memorial Award. In 1987,
Bob Wilson became the second Bruins' broadcaster to be awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.
Players
Builders
Franchise leaders
All-time regular season scoring leaders
These are the top-ten regular season point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
* – current Bruins player
''Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game''
All-time playoff scoring leaders
These are the top-ten playoff point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
* – current Bruins player
''Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game''
All-time leading goaltenders
These goaltenders rank in the top ten in franchise history for wins as of the end of the 2024–25 season.
Figures are updated after each completed NHL season.
* – current Bruins player
''Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OT = Overtime losses; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average''
NHL awards and trophies
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
*
1928–29,
1938–39,
1940–41,
1969–70,
1971–72,
2010–11
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...
*
1989–90,
2013–14,
2019–20,
2022–23
Prince of Wales Trophy
*
1927–28,
1928–29,
1929–30,
1930–31,
1932–33,
1934–35,
1937–38,
1938–39,
1939–40,
1940–41,
1970–71,
1971–72,
1973–74,
1987–88,
1989–90,
2010–11,
2012–13,
2018–19
Art Ross Trophy
*
Phil Esposito:
1968–69,
1970–71,
1971–72,
1972–73,
1973–74
*
Bobby Orr:
1969–70,
1974–75
*
Joe Thornton:
2005–06
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
*
Charlie Simmer:
1985–86
*
Gord Kluzak:
1989–90
*
Cam Neely:
1993–94
*
Phil Kessel:
2006–07
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. Serving ...
*
Frank Brimsek:
1938–39 (trophy known as "Calder Trophy")
*
Jack Gelineau:
1949–50
*
Larry Regan:
1956–57
*
Bobby Orr:
1966–67
*
Derek Sanderson:
1967–68
*
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
:
1979–80
*
Sergei Samsonov:
1997–98
*
Andrew Raycroft:
2003–04
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy () is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the ...
*
Bobby Orr:
1969–70,
1971–72
*
Tim Thomas:
2010–11
Frank J. Selke Trophy
*
Steve Kasper:
1981–82
*
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron-Cleary (born July 24, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Boston Bruins. He served as Captain (sports), team captain f ...
:
2011–12,
2013–14,
2014–15,
2016–17,
2021–22,
2022–23
Hart Memorial Trophy
The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, is an annual award for the most valuable player to his team in the National Hockey League (NHL), voted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The original tr ...
*
Eddie Shore:
1932–33,
1934–35,
1935–36,
1937–38
*
Bill Cowley:
1940–41,
1942–43
*
Milt Schmidt:
1950–51
*
Phil Esposito:
1968–69,
1973–74
*
Bobby Orr:
1969–70,
1970–71,
1971–72
*
Joe Thornton:
2005–06
Jack Adams Award
The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." The league's Coach of the Year award has been presented 51 times to 43 coaches. The winner is select ...
*
Don Cherry:
1975–76
*
Pat Burns:
1997–98
*
Claude Julien:
2008–09
*
Bruce Cassidy:
2019–20
*
Jim Montgomery:
2022–23
James Norris Memorial Trophy
*
Bobby Orr:
1967–68,
1968–69,
1969–70,
1970–71,
1971–72,
1972–73,
1973–74,
1974–75
*
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
:
1986–87,
1987–88,
1989–90,
1990–91,
1993–94
*
Zdeno Chara:
2008–09
King Clancy Memorial Trophy
*
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
:
1991–92
*
Dave Poulin:
1992–93
*
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron-Cleary (born July 24, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Boston Bruins. He served as Captain (sports), team captain f ...
:
2012–13
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
*
Bobby Bauer:
1939–40,
1940–41,
1946–47
*
Don McKenny:
1959–60
*
John Bucyk:
1970–71,
1973–74
*
Jean Ratelle:
1975–76
*
Rick Middleton:
1981–82
Lester B. Pearson Award
*
Phil Esposito:
1970–71,
1972–73
*
Bobby Orr:
1974–75
Lester Patrick Trophy
The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, ...
*
Charles F. Adams:
1966–67
*
Walter A. Brown:
1967–68
*
Eddie Shore:
1969–70
*
Cooney Weiland:
1971–72
*
John Bucyk:
1976–77
*
Phil Esposito:
1977–78
*
Bobby Orr:
1978–79
*
Milt Schmidt:
1995–96
*
Harry Sinden:
1998–99
*
Willie O'Ree:
2002–03
*
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...
:
2002–03
*
Cam Neely:
2009–10
Mark Messier Leadership Award
*
Zdeno Chara:
2010–11
*
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron-Cleary (born July 24, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Boston Bruins. He served as Captain (sports), team captain f ...
:
2020–21
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
*
David Pastrnak:
2019–20
NHL Foundation Player Award
*
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron-Cleary (born July 24, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, all with the Boston Bruins. He served as Captain (sports), team captain f ...
:
2013–14
NHL Leading Scorer
(prior to awarding of Art Ross Trophy)
*
Herb Cain:
1943–44
*
Bill Cowley:
1940–41
*
Milt Schmidt:
1939–40
*
Cooney Weiland:
1929–30
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...
*
Tiny Thompson:
1929–30,
1932–33,
1935–36,
1937–38
*
Frank Brimsek:
1938–39,
1941–42
*
Pete Peeters:
1982–83
*
Tim Thomas:
2008–09,
2010–11
*
Tuukka Rask
Tuukka Mikael Rask (born 10 March 1987) is a Finns, Finnish former professional ice hockey Goaltender (ice hockey), goaltender. Rask was drafted 21st overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Boston ...
:
2013–14
*
Linus Ullmark:
2022–23
William M. Jennings Trophy
*
Andy Moog and
Rejean Lemelin:
1989–90
*
Tim Thomas and
Manny Fernandez:
2008–09
*
Tuukka Rask
Tuukka Mikael Rask (born 10 March 1987) is a Finns, Finnish former professional ice hockey Goaltender (ice hockey), goaltender. Rask was drafted 21st overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Boston ...
and
Jaroslav Halak:
2019–20
*
Linus Ullmark and
Jeremy Swayman:
2022–23
Team awards
The Bruins have several team awards that are traditionally awarded at the last home game of the regular season.
*
Elizabeth C. Dufresne Trophy''Best player in home games''
*
Seventh Player Award''Player performing most beyond expectations''
*
Eddie Shore Award''Player with most hustle and determination''
*
John P. Bucyk Award''Community service''
*
Bruins Radio Network Three-Star Awards''Most three-star selections''
Franchise individual records
* Most goals in a season:
Phil Esposito, 76 (
1970–71)
* Most assists in a season:
Bobby Orr, 102 (
1970–71)
* Most points in a season:
Phil Esposito, 152 (
1970–71)
* Most penalty minutes in a season:
Jay Miller, 304 (
1987–88)
* Lowest goals against average in a season:
Frank Brimsek, 1.56 (
1938–39)
* Most points per game in a season:
Bill Cowley, 1.97 (
1943–44)
* Most points in a season, defenseman:
Bobby Orr, 139 (
1970–71)
* Most points in a season, rookie:
Joe Juneau, 102 (
1992–93)
* Most wins in a season:
Pete Peeters, 40 (
1982–83);
Linus Ullmark, 40 (
2022–23)
* Most shutouts in a season:
Hal Winkler, 15 (
1927–28)
* Consecutive games streak:
John Bucyk, 418 (January 23, 1969 – March 2, 1975)
* Longest point scoring streak:
Bronco Horvath, 22 games, (
1959–60)
* Highest save percentage in a season:
Tim Thomas, .938 (
2010–11)
* Longest winning streak by a goaltender, one season:
Gilles Gilbert, 17 (1975–76)
Media and broadcasters
;NESN (New England Sports Network)
*
Judd Sirott: TV play-by-play
*
Andy Brickley: TV color analyst
*
Andrew Raycroft: Rinkside reporter
* Adam Pellerin: Rinkside reporter
;98.5 The Sports Hub
* Ryan Johnston: Radio play-by-play
*
Bob Beers: Radio color analyst
See also
*
Bruins–Canadiens rivalry
*
List of Boston Bruins award winners
*
List of Boston Bruins records
*
Sports in Massachusetts
*
Sports in Boston
*
The Sports Museum (at TD Garden)
Notes
References
Bibliography
*
Further reading
*
*
* Booth, Clarke. ''Boston Bruins: Celebrating 75 Years''. Tehabi Books.
External links
*
Boston Bruins Alumni veteran exhibition team
{{authority control
National Hockey League teams
1924 establishments in Massachusetts
Atlantic Division (NHL)
Ice hockey clubs established in 1924
Bruins
Professional ice hockey teams in Massachusetts
National Hockey League in New England
Delaware North