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Mention Bobby Orr's name to hockey fans and watch their faces brighten as they recall one of the greatest hockey players this country has ever produced. Born on March 20th 1948 in Parry Sound, Ontario, Robert Gordon Orr took to the ice like mortals take to breathing.

He first hit the ice at the age of four on an oversized pair of skates. He began playing hockey in the Parry Sound Minor Squirt Hockey League when he was in kindergarten. At age 9 he won the MVP of the Peewee division. Since he was always playing with older boys, he would skate every night until dark, working endlessly his skating and his skills. He was blessed with a natural talent for the sport and his skating became a thing of beauty.

In 1960, the legend of Bobby Orr began. While playing with the Parry Sound Bantam All-Stars at age 12, NHL scouts looked on in amazement as Bobby played the entire game - except for a 2-minute period when he sat in the penalty box. The team won the championship and a star was born.

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Signed to the Boston Bruins when he was only 14, Orr would have to wait four more years before making his official debut with the team in 1966. In his rookie year with the Bruins, Orr won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the 2nd All-star team. Orr was the first player to negotiate a contract with a lawyer, thus setting the standard for today's players. An unbelievable defenseman, Orr used his offensive skills to break practically every record, claim every prize, and leave the crowd wanting more. He was the first NHL defensemen to lead the league in scoring. He won the Norris Trophy for Best Defenceman eight consecutive times and was a two-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP all in a short 10-year career.

After leaving hockey due to irreparable damage to his knees, Orr embarked on a very successful career in business and athletic management, and has dedicated himself to numerous charitable organizations.

Interesting note
As a 14-year-old he played for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Junior A League, competing against mostly 19-and 20-year-olds.
Inductees


Comments

Posted by: Bob Cooke
Apr. 8, 2012 at 08:19 pm
That's our Bobby!
Happy Birthday, Bobby...a little belated.

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Bobby Orr

Year of Induction: 1998
Area of Recognition: Sport
Born: March 20, 1948
Where: Parry Sound, ON

Notable Achievements

  • In 1979, Orr was invested as an Officer in the Order of Canada. Two buildings in Parry Sound honour Orr. A museum, called the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, where his Order of Canada medal is on display along with other exhibits. Also named in his honour is The Bobby Orr Community Centre.
  • Orr was the first defenceman to score 30 goals in a season (1969–70). He was also the first defenceman to score 40 goals in a season (1974–75).
  • In February 2010, Orr was one of the eight bearers of the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

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  • On May 10, 2010, the fortieth anniversary of Orr scoring the game-winning goal against the St. Louis Blues in overtime to clinch the 1970 Stanley Cup, the Bruins commemorated the event with a bronze statue of Orr outside the TD Garden, the Bruins' home rink. The statue depicts Orr sprawled in mid-flight after scoring the goal. The unveiling was attended by many of Orr's past team-mates. Orr spoke at the unveiling: "This specific moment and time we celebrate with this statue is something we can all now nostalgically remember with fondness, together, each time we enter Boston Garden. To all of you, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I'm honored. Guys, thank you."
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