Full list of Bruins retired numbers and the stories behind why they were retired

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The Boston Bruins is 1 of the celebrated American teams known for honouring immoderate of their top players by retiring their numbers. By doing this, their legacies person continued to unrecorded on, and their contributions volition ever beryllium remembered successful the sports industry. Some of the Bruins' retired numbers were worn by players who person since passed away.

Willie O'Ree (L), Johnny Bucyk (C) and Ray Bourque (R)

Key takeaways

The Boston Bruins person retired 12 jersey numbers successful their history.
The team's retired the numbers to honour them and the large achievements they person contributed to the team.
Some of the Bruins' retired numbers see Eddie Shore’s No. 2, Dit Clapper's No. 5, and Bobby Orr's No. 4.
Some of the players whose numbers were retired by the Boston Bruins passed away, portion others retired and others are inactive serving successful the sports industry.

The Bruins retired numbers

This nonfiction lists each the Boston Bruins' retired numbers and the stories down their retirement. It besides showcases their contributions to the Boston Bruins. We gathered accusation from assorted sources, similar NHL Records, NESN and 985 The Sports Hub. The database is not arranged successful immoderate peculiar bid and includes some deceased and surviving players.

	Number	Name of player	Year of honour
1.	2	Eddie Shore	1947
2.	3	Lionel Hitchman	1934
3	22	Willie O'Ree	1958
4.	4	Bobby Orr	1979
5.	5	Dit Clapper	1947
6.	7	Phil Esposito	1987
7.	15	Milt Schmidt	1980
8.	8	Cam Neely	2004
9.	9	Johnny Bucyk	1980
10.	16	Rick Middleton	2018
11.	24	Terry O'Reilly	2002
12.	77	Ray Bourque	2001

1. Eddie Shore: 2

Canadian crystal hockey defenceman Eddie Shore lasting successful a tract (L). Eddie Shore moving retired successful a tract (R).

Full name: Edward William Shore
Date of birth: 25 November 1902
Joined: 1926
Honoured: 1 January 1947
Died: 16 March 1985

Eddie Shore’s No. 2 is 1 of the Boston Bruins' retired numbers. The Canadian nonrecreational crystal hockey defenseman had his fig retired connected 1 January 1947 aft being with the squad for 14 years.

He led the Bruins to 2 Stanley Cups successful 1929 and 1939. The jock besides won 4 Hart trophies, which made him regarded arsenic the defenseman with the astir ever won Hart Trophies. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame successful 1947

2. Lionel Hitchman: 3

Lionel Hitchman holding a hockey instrumentality (L). Lionel Hitchman posing for a photograph (R).

Full name: Frederick Lionel Hitchman
Date of birth: 3 November 1901
Joined: 1925
Honoured: 22 February 1934
Died: 12 January 1969

Lionel Hitchman’s No. 3 was retired by the Boston Bruins connected 22 February 1934. He is remembered for forming 1 of the top antiaircraft pairings with Eddie Shore. In 1927, Lionel Hitchman led the Bruins to their archetypal Stanley Cup Final appearance. He served arsenic the skipper of the Stanley Cup Champion Bruins successful 1929.

His No. 3 jersey was retired aft the location team’s 3-1 nonaccomplishment to the Ottawa Senators astatine Boston Garden. According to NHL News, helium was the cornerstone of the Bruins and is remembered arsenic 1 of the dependable performers who treasured ratio alternatively than the spectacular.

3. Willie O'Ree: 22

Willie O'Ree, erstwhile subordinate of Boston Bruins speaks to children

Full name: William Eldon O’Ree
Date of birth: 15 October 1935
Joined: 1958
Honoured: 18 January 2022
Age: 89 years aged (as of 2025)

Willie O’Ree joined the National Hockey League arsenic a winger connected January 18, 1958, making past arsenic the archetypal Black Player successful the NHL. According to NBC Sports, his No. 22 jersey was retired by the Boston Bruins connected 18 January 2022.

In 1961, helium became the archetypal Black subordinate to people a extremity successful the NHL. In 2019, helium was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. The erstwhile jock was inducted into the Hall of Fame successful 2018.

4. Bobby Orr: 4

Bobby Orr #4, honorary skipper of the Boston Bruins, walks onto the crystal earlier a game

Full name: Robert Gordon Orr, OC
Date of birth: 20 March 1948
Joined: 1966
Honoured: 9 January 1979
Age: 77 years aged (as of 2025)

Bobby Orr’s No. 4 jersey was retired connected 9 January 1979 astatine a ceremonial held astatine Boston Garden. He held records for assists, goals and points arsenic a defenseman erstwhile helium retired. He led the Boston Bruins to 2 Stanley Cups successful 1970 and 1972.

According to The Hockey Writers, Bobby Orr is besides known for scoring the astir celebrated extremity successful NHL history, The Flying Goal, which won the 1970 Stanley Cup. The jock was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame successful 197,9, becoming the youngest athlete to person specified an honour.

5. Dit Clapper: 5

Canadian nonrecreational hockey subordinate Dit Clapper (1907–1978)

Full name: Aubrey Victor "Dit" Clapper
Date of birth: 9 February 1947
Joined: 1927
Honoured: 12 February 1947
Died: 21 January 1978

Dit Clapper, the Canadian crystal hockey player, had his No. 5 retired by the Bruins connected 12 February 1947. He was with the Bruins for 2 decades and experienced a distinctive vocation path. The jock began his travel arsenic a close helping and aboriginal became a defenseman.

The hockey player is recognised arsenic the archetypal National Hockey League subordinate to play 20 seasons. He contributed importantly to the squad winning 3 Stanley Cups successful 1929, 1939 and 1949. The jock was besides honoured and inducted into the Hall of Fame successful 1947, the aforesaid twelvemonth his fig was retired.

6. Phil Esposito: 7

Phil Esposito #7 of the Boston Bruins skates connected the crystal with the puck during an NHL game

Full name: Philip Anthony Esposito OC
Date of birth: 20 February 1942
Joined: 1967
Honoured: 3 December 1987
Age: 83 years aged (as of 2025)

Phil Esposito is simply a erstwhile Canadian crystal hockey player. He joined the squad successful 1967. His No. 7 got retired by the Bruins connected 3 December 1987 successful a ceremonial astatine Boston Garden to honour his accomplishments and impacts connected the team. At the ceremony, Ray Borque wore Phil’s fig and, had to alteration to fig 77.

Phil Esposito had made large achievements for the squad earlier his Jersey got retired. He led the squad to 2 Stanley Cup victories successful 1970 and 1972. In 1969, helium became the archetypal NHL subordinate to people 100 points successful a season.

He besides won the Hart Memorial Trophy successful 1969 and 1974, becoming the NHL’s astir invaluable player. He got the honour of being inducted into the Hall of Fame successful 1984.

7. Milt Schmidt: 15

Former Boston Bruins subordinate Milt Schmidt waves to the crowd

Full name: Milton Conrad Schmidt
Date of birth: 5 March 1918
Joined: 1936
Honoured: 1980
Died: 4 January 2017

Milt Schmidt was a Canadian nonrecreational crystal hockey centre. He is the lone antheral successful the past of the Boston Bruins to person his sanction connected the Stanley Cup 4 times. He won 2 cups arsenic a subordinate and the different 2 arsenic the team’s wide manager successful 1970 and 1972.

His No. 15 jersey was retired by the Boston Bruins connected 13 March 1980, the aforesaid twelvemonth Johnny Bucky’s fig was retired. He is considered the lone idiosyncratic successful the Bruins to service arsenic a player, captain, manager and wide manager.

The Bruins' fable passed distant successful 2017. According to NHL News, the Bruins honoured the fable by wearing a commemorative spot connected their jerseys featuring Schmidt's fig 15 for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.

8. Cam Neely: 8

President and Alumni Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins waves to the fans

Full name: Cameron Michael Neely
Date of birth: 6 June 1965
Joined: 1986
Honoured: 12 January 2004
Age: 59 years aged (as of 2025)

Cam Neely, who is present the president of the Boston Bruins, was honoured by having his fig retired connected 12 January 2004. During the solemnisation to honour him, helium was presented with 2 gifts: a gorgeous painting and a replica of his banner.

His contributions to the squad were impeccable. He won the Bill Masterton Trophy successful 1994. In 1995, helium led the NHL successful power-play goals. He besides won the Memorial Cup with the Portland Winter Hawks. In 1988, helium was named the League’s Second Team All-Star astatine close helping successful 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1994.

9. Johnny Bucyk: 9

Johnny Bucyk walks onto the crystal during a pregame status ceremony

Full name: John Paul "Chief" Bucyk
Date of birth: 12 May 1935
Joined: 1952
Honoured: 1980
Age: 89 years aged (as of 2025)

Johnny Bucyk joined the Boston Bruins successful 1952. He played for the squad until 1978, and the Bostons honoured him by retiring his No. 9 jersey successful 1980. He won 2 Stanley Cups successful 1970 and 1972.

Johnny Bucyk besides won 2 Lady Byng Trophies for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly behaviour connected the ice. In 1998, helium was ranked fig 45 connected The Hockey News' database of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. The famous athlete was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame successful 1981.

10. Rick Middleton: 16

Rick Middleton waves to the assemblage earlier a game

Full name: Richard David Middleton
Date of birth: 4 December 1953
Joined: 1976
Honoured: 29 November 2018
Age: 71 years aged (as of 2025)

The Boston Bruins had Rick Middleton’s No. 16 retired connected 29 November 2018 earlier a crippled against the New York Islanders astatine TD Garden. He is wide known for the 1981-82 season, successful which helium won a Lady Byng Trophy for excellence and sportsmanship.

Rick Middleton was besides named the NHL’s Second All-Star Team. The erstwhile jock scored 402 goals and 498 assists for the squad during his tenure.

11. Terry O’Reilly: 24

Terry O'Reilly #24 of the Boston Bruins poses for a portrait

Full name: Terence Joseph James O’Reilly
Date of birth: 7 June 1951
Joined: 1971
Honoured: 24 October 2002
Age: 73 years aged (as of 2025)

Terry O’Reilly is besides among the Bruins’ players to beryllium honoured by having their numbers retired. He made his debut successful the NHL during Bruin’s last crippled of the 1971-72 regular season. The erstwhile jock was an NHL All-Star successful 1975 and 1978. He finished his vocation with the Bruins by scoring 204 goals and 402 assists.

12. Ray Bourque: 77

Ray Bourque #77 skating during the Alumni Game

Full name: Raymond Jean Bourque
Date of birth: 28 December 1960
Joined: 1979
Honoured: 4 October 2001
Age: 64 years aged (as of 2025)

Raymond Bourque’s No. 22 was retired by the Bruins connected 4 October 2001. He joined the squad successful 1979 and made an contiguous interaction successful Boston by scoring a extremity successful his archetypal crippled during the 1979-80 season. He holds the grounds for the most assists among the Bruins' retired numbers.

Ray Bourque was considered the champion defenseman successful the NHL, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. Raymond won 5 Norris Trophies arsenic the league's apical defenseman.

Will the Bruins discontinue Bergeron's number?

Yes, the squad volition discontinue Partrice Bergeron’s fig 37. According to Sportskeeda, the Boston Bruins’ president, Cam Neely, confirmed that Partrice’s fig volition beryllium retired and raised to the rafters astatine TD Garden.

Is fig 77 retired successful the NHL?

Yes, Ray Bourque's fig 77 was retired by the Boston Bruins successful 2001. His fig has been retired by the Bruins and the Avalance, making him 1 of 9 NHL players whose fig has been retired by much than 1 club.

The Boston Bruins are known for honouring their legendary players done Bruins retired numbers, recognising the large achievements and dedication they brought to the squad during their careers. These players person had a lasting interaction connected the sports manufacture and volition ever beryllium remembered arsenic cardinal figures successful the past of the team.

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