Johnny Bucyk

Born on May 12, 1935, in Edmonton, Johnny Bucyk’s name would become a benchmark for hockey consistency and longevity.

Prior to coming to the National Hockey League, Bucyk was a household name in Edmonton. While in the city, he starred for the junior Oil Kings. He then went on to become one of the top players on the Edmonton Flyers, the top farm team of the Detroit Red Wings. His play earned him a spot on the Detroit roster in 1955 where he played his first NHL games.

Although, Detroit called him up several times to fill in for injured Wings, he never stuck with the organization. However, his play impressed Bruins’ scouts, who traded Hall of Fame goaltender Terry Sawchuk to Detroit in 1957 in exchange for Bucyk’s rights.

Bucyk became a star in Beantown as soon as he arrived. He teamed with Vic Stasiuk and Bronco Horvath on a troika known as the "Uke Line" in honour of all three players’ Ukrainian backgrounds.

Bucyk played 1,436 games as a Bruin, scoring 545 goals and adding 794 assists. He played an amazing 21 seasons as a Bruin, retiring in 1976 at the age of 41 due to chronic back pain. Although, Bucyk was a star throughout the prime of his career, he toiled for a Boston team that regularly finished in last place in the six-team NHL. But, with the additions of Hall of Fame players Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito in the late 1960s, the Bruins finally turned their fortunes and Bucyk was able to sip from the Stanley Cup on two separate occasions—in 1970 and 1972.

In 1978, the Bruins retired his famous number 9. Three years later, the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted him for his exceptional career.
 

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