At A Glance
Born: Mar. 20, 1948
Where: Parry Sound, ON
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.
Notable Achievements:
8-time Norris Trophy winner 3-time Hart Trophy winner led NHL in scoring twice and assists 5 times All-NHL 1st team 8 times; playoff MVP twice (1970,72) with Boston
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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.
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.
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Inductees
