Boston Bruins All-Centennial Team Selection Special

Introducing the #NHLBruins 20-player All-Centennial Team, presented by Rapid7. The All-Centennial Team is comprised of the most legendary players in franchise history as voted upon by an independent committee of journalists and media members, historians and members of the hockey community.
The 20-player roster was selected from the “Historic 100” list and features 12 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goaltenders.
0:00 - Nominations
20:00 - 27:17 - Defense discussion
27:17 - 35:43 - Forward discussion
35:43 - 43:13 - Discussion/Dit Clapper discussion
43:13 - Goalie discussion

[@DavisAB4]

💛🖤💛🖤LEGENDS💛🖤💛🖤

[@impossiblepie]

my all time centennial Boston Bruins team is the 2010-2011 team. I love that team, they gave me my first Cup and my greatest sports fan moment of my life, that will never change.

[@munkustrap2]

As long as Terry O'Reilly made it I was happy. No other player bled black & gold more (pun intended, as an afterthought though 😁). Edit: Just noticed, why no C on his jersey??? Whoever made these "cards" dropped the ball.

[@PlntPeace]

The best line of the discussion “24 made that B jump to life”. Terry O’Reilly, for me, epitomizes what it means to be a Bruin, then and now. He was my intro to hockey as a little kid.

[@bbb462cid]

Taz simply embodied the default condition of being a Bruin.

[@jamiecain8120]

Those Boston Bruins players always be legend forever !!!!

[@MidGosp]

Wish tuukka was on it but this just shows how many legends we have

[@brandonouellette3874]

I’m glad Tuukka was left out. Always choked in the big games and won nothing meaningful as a starter.

[@paullagasse5504]

I'm not a tuukka hater but no way should he be on the top 20 list arguably Tim Thomas Andy moog and Reggie lemelin I would put over rask

[@munkustrap2]

​@@paullagasse5504 Did Moog make the 100 list? He sure should've if not.

[@Ibelikemj]

@@brandonouellette3874he won the most games in the teams history. Way more than Tim Thomas and his oversized pads

[@brandonouellette3874]

@@Ibelikemj Wow. He won the most games and yet Thomas has more Vezinas, a cup, and a Conn Smythe. Big deal.

[@MrTonyFury]

Interesting that there's a gap between the Bourque and Chara eras. That was probably the darkest period in B's history, but still had good teams.

[@camerongagnon4553]

It was the Hal Gil era which was probably hell

[@pc38343]

Just watched the selection. Great transparency! Hitchman is still the Bruins unsung hero - the last skater cut from the top 20. A couple of selection committee members understood that Hitchman "created the mold" of the team's identity and that his hall of fame snub needs correcting. A parsing thru the history and game play-by-plays puts it in context. League all-star teams only began towards the end of Hitchman's career, and the Norris Trophy 19 yrs later. Some Hitchman background: 2 Stanley Cups in a 12-season NHL career - one with Bs plus 3 cup finals (and reporters attributed the 1930 loss to Hitchman's broken jaw); the league split into two divisions in Hitchman's second full season with Boston, and they were division champs 5 of 6 full seasons he played; Captain/vice-captain for 6 of his 10 Bruin seasons; Hart trophy runner-up (only 1 D had won it to date); held overtime goal record for 60+ years by Bruin defensemen.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

Would add Hitchman as the final d-man and move Clapper to the final forward spot, where he spent most of his career.

[@mikemaloney2949]

Nice to see someone plug for Peter McNabb.

[@Mark-py3rv]

I just enjoyed watching the process - I mean look at that pool of 100 they had to choose from!!

[@ezekieldark8270]

At 31:58, you can see what looks like a mouse run underneath the table

[@_Dave_S]

Yes, I noticed that too lol.

[@Chris-vo8wo]

Definitely is. it’s from the old garden

[@starbuckita]

I want to see JAck's full team line ups! cheers!

[@trevorsweener3836]

So everyone is bashing tuukka on how he never won a cup and that’s why he isn’t on the list even though he leads almost all goalie stats but yet pasta is just tossed up there because of his stats with no cup? Tuukka is 3rd in nhl save percentage behind Roy and hasek

[@bbb462cid]

But Rask IS a Stanley Cup Champion. I don't give a shit if he didn't play a single second of those entire playoffs. He was a great, great goalie. Can't be a great goalie without winning a LOT and he did. Look up how many absolute _plugs_ won Stanley Cups as goalies. Racicot is a Stanley Cup Champ. Dammit, Cam Ward won a Cup! Cam freaking Ward. Rask wasn't as good as Ward?? Bullsheeeet.

[@axxellein]

Turk Sanderson!!! Class And Style Rocker Dude!!

[@axxellein]

Bruins Captain, Don McKenney=Class, Style=Lady Byng 59-60 ...A true Gentleman!

[@mycatsloveeachother6648]

I almost flipped my lid when they put Marchy in the 'gotta think about it' column! No brainer! Thank you for giving him justice!

[@Mrhockey679]

FUCK THE BRUINS GOOOOO HABSSSS GOOOOOO

[@courtneyfidler2562]

@@Mrhockey679🤣 good luck w that this year fuck the habs

[@soapycleaningproduct]

@@Mrhockey679man, let him have his parade. We know the Habs are better, but let the lad enjoy himself

[@Aaron-kq7rd]

​@@soapycleaningproducthahaha , comedians in here. In a Bruins thread cause you got nothing better to do. Typically pansy Habs fan/player.

[@truthinthebooth3793]

Cheevers and Tim Thomas for goalies for sure. With all due respect Frank Brimsek played in the league when there were only 6 teams in the entire league. Tim Thomas had 2 Vezina trophies, hands down won us the 2011 cup and was the Conn Smythe winner. Timmy is the greatest Bruins goalie in my opinion. And it wasn't a 3 year window, it was 8 seasons with us and for 6 of those season he was our #1 goalie

[@richpreservati1695]

This was so freaking cool

[@daniellynch4039]

I wish current and explayers were involved in this.

[@MattNineFive]

Tiny is super underrated imo

[@willscastleofcards2456]

The goalie depth throughout history is INSANE. I understand Thomas being in the conversation but it was a 3 year window. Tiny Thompson and Cheevers would have been my picks. (Haven’t finished yet at time of writing this)

[@dripmedownllc7053]

Not to mention the current depth going from NHL to Juniors they have currently in 2023 it’s insane

[@alexmaheux2369]

Thomas single handily won a cup though

[@willscastleofcards2456]

@@alexmaheux2369 no he didn’t. Thomas doesn’t score goals bud. Hockey is the ultimate team sport too

[@alexmaheux2369]

@@willscastleofcards2456 facts, but without Thomas that cup isn’t the Bruins

[@willscastleofcards2456]

@@alexmaheux2369 one year (about 3-4 overall) doesn’t get you on a centennial team tho, it’s the best of the best

[@seouljastr]

Like can't deny some of the tendies but love how cups come into play when most of the goalies up there that have cups played less games to win them, cups should not be the discussion for goalies, strictly their individual stats

[@axxellein]

Fleming

[@RayManzarekRocks]

This should be a 30-member team -- 18 forwards, nine d-men, three goalies. Far too difficult to cram 100 years of hockey into 20 spots and not leave off highly qualified candidates.

[@cotedebeaune2012]

Goalies were going to be tough because there are only two slots. The depth is on defense (shocker!).

[@ChadOlson-mc4th]

I would have nominated Mr. Gordon Downie from Kingston Ontario Canada.

[@axxellein]

Fern Flaman = Hard Rock Defence!! Captain, a 'Never lost a Fight'' Leader!

[@RayManzarekRocks]

It's a freakin' embarrassment that the panel left Hodge off this team. He's a two-time first-team NHL All-Star and SC champion, a core player with the most dominant teams in franchise history. He's one of only four B's to score 50 goals and one of only eight to produce at least 40 goals and 100 points in a season. The Cashman-Espo-Hodge line is on the short list of greatest in NHL history. All three deserve to be on this team. #Pathetic

[@impossiblepie]

wondering during the picking process for the 100 and then for the 20 for the centennial teams, was there any "requirements"? had to play for the Bruins for a certain number of games, or years? had to score a certain amount of goals or points, for goalie's shout outs? or did point totals even matter, or if any of these players had made it to the hall of fame? or was this team just picked on how great they were regardless on any of these options I mentioned ? either way, love the players, love the choices, and GO BRUINS!!! - for the record I posted this comment as I'm starting to watch this video. Also if your number is retired by the Bruins, you should be on that 20 player team.

[@courtneyfidler2562]

I better hear Wayne cashman’s name and Derek Sanderson

[@stephenaube9556]

Tim thomas won the last cup standing on his head he should be on it

[@marrekpanzarino134]

I knew my Bergy would be on there.. but I'm really glad the panel put Krejci up there, I know those who know, know.. but nonetheless, he could've been overlooked, but was not, and I get a certain peace from that. Great list!

[@edited1325]

If he had wingers of the same level as him throughout most of his career he could’ve probably had 1000 points

[@michaelwhalen4337]

I was disappointed they didn’t select Ferny Flaming ! I remember going to his hockey school in Hingham . I wouldn’t of been a heavy hitting defenseman without learning edges from him !

[@johnbrowne2170]

Fernie Flaman.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

The Krejci pick is short-sighted at the very least. The guy played forever and was never among the elite players at his position league-wide. He was never a candidate for a major award, never led the league in any category except plus-minus. Dude, he NEVER SCORED MORE THAN 23 GOALS in any regular season. To his credit, he usually showed up in the postseason, but an all-time team should be reserved for elite players, not merely good ones.

[@reinolmaldonado7195]

Good player but great bruin

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@reinolmaldonado7195 In his prime, Ken Hodge was a great Bruin AND a great player, not to mention a two-time SC champion who was part of an historic team. #MassiveOversight

[@reinolmaldonado7195]

@@RayManzarekRocks i agree david is just recent bias love em but ken hodge damn even oates and jumbo joe were better players than david krejic and tim thomas is just bad voting

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@reinolmaldonado7195 Should have been a 30-man team, in which case Hitchman, Hodge, Oates and Thomas among others make the cut.

[@Wagbag0]

I've never heard of Frank Brimsek. I expected Tiny and Cheevers to be the 2 goalies. Every time during the last 20 years when they talk about how good Tuukka or Tim Thomas is, they would compare them to those 2. Never once even mentioning Brimsek, now i feel like i have to go back find out who this guy was and why he has NEVER been talked about on nesn in the past 25 years ive been following the Bs

[@bbb462cid]

Brimsek was known as "Mr. Zero". That should tell you a lot.

[@BRSBRS-cr9ur]

Anyone see the mouse?

[@September2004]

It never occurred to me that the Bruins don’t have a slam dunk goalie until I saw this. Nobody up there with Plante, Dryden, Roy and Price. Also, Terry O’Reilly really surprised me. Would never have thought he would be unanimous since I haven’t heard much about him.

[@bbb462cid]

They did have a lights out goalie. His name was Frank Brimsek. You haven't heard much about O'Reilly?? Welcome to Bruins hockey then!

[@RayManzarekRocks]

Price hasn't won squat in his career. #O-ver-ra-ted

[@guidovalenti4986]

Jean Ratelle

[@bbb462cid]

Gentleman Jean, great player, great center, great Bruin.

[@cruss024]

There was a mouse at 32 min under the table

[@timwilsey3655]

No fn way on Kreji, Oates should have been on or Peter McNabb

[@axxellein]

Veranable Doug Mohns Defence, Foward!

[@samnicosia6346]

what about the best coach

[@jpmzo]

Umm… why doesn’t The Centennial Team have a coach?

[@bbb462cid]

Or a mascot. I pick Mike Milbury, dressed as a punching bag.

[@jimbt9889]

I'm not sure the group who are voting are the truest decision makers...any former players on the panel selecting?

[@jesscorner6381]

They’re literally the people that have dedicated their careers to covering these players but ok

[@jimbt9889]

They can write about and talk about sports all day and night but unless you are the person in the literal battle for the puck. Hitting a 3-2 pitch, or converting third and long.... literally just talk

[@swedechef9628]

31:58 MARCHAND ON THE LOOSE!!!!!!! lol

[@-TAA-]

❤️🐻💯

[@HoaxNA]

No mcavoy???

[@marrekpanzarino134]

Also, was it Russo who quipped "old time hockey!" After Eddie Shore's nomination? Well done lol

[@BRSBRS-cr9ur]

at 31:58

[@spoonful1018]

I loved Normand Levieille

[@bbb462cid]

Remember his checks? Damn good player. Nice avatar pic by the way

[@axxellein]

Bronco UKE Line Center!!!!!Horvath!!!

[@paullagasse5504]

They forgot joseph stumpel

[@September2004]

2:58

[@boomataco]

Booby orr. No debate here

[@valhallabeast]

Nah Cant agree with the Goalie selection, Thomas should have been on the board dude was a huge reason behind the cup win

[@bbb462cid]

CASH!

[@timwilsey3655]

The Broad that said further conversation on Wayne Cashman...I`d like to have a further conversation on why is she in the room? Kreji no doubt but Cashman further conversation..bullshit

[@djurotomic2344]

For time in Boston Milan Lucic,future discussion at least!

[@axxellein]

Old Man Harry Lumley if he played in 58 Final Vs Habs We win :La Stanley Cup..Simmons left in soft Goals in critical times!!!!

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Hitchman should be a lock...dont matter if hes in the hall, Middleton isnt either and hes a lock No pasta yet.. Dit clapper a no brainer too. Krejci should be discussed.

[@robmccaig9269]

turk greg shepard and bobby schmach

[@RichardTavilla]

Numbers 19 11

[@johnhorn3344]

Regarding the goalies, what the panel seems to have forgotten is that while Cheevers won two Cups, one of which he split with EJ, he should have also won in 1969 and especially 71. when the Bruins had one of the most dominant teams in history. I love Cheesey but his reputation as a money goalie is not richly deserved. Thomas should have been the choice.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

Blame Johnson for the 1971 collapse. If Cheevers had started Game 2 against the Canadiens, the B's would have three-peated. BTW, he was unbeaten in an insane 32 consecutive games, a record that will stand for as long as there aren't tie games again.

[@johnhorn3344]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@RayManzarekRocks Tom Johnson had alternated goalies all season and EJ actually had slightly better numbers than Cheevers. The 32 game unbeaten streak was in 71-72.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@johnhorn3344 Dude, Tom Johnson allowed Johnston to cough up SIX CONSECUTIVE GOALS in a playoff game that his team could have seized control of the series. It's OK to alternate goalies during the regular season for rest purposes, but you have to play your No. 1 in the playoffs. (See Blackhawks, Canadiens and Rangers.) In the regular season, the 30-year-old Cheevers had a 3-0 record, .2.33 GAA and .931 save percentage against the Canadiens, while the 35-year-old Johnston was 2-1/2.33/.916. At the very least, E.J. should have been pulled after the Canadiens scored their fourth consecutive goal to pull within 5-4 early in the third period of Game 2, which turned the series around. #EpicGaffe

[@johnhorn3344]

Hindsight is always 20/20, isn’t it? Johnson alternated them in the 72 playoffs and Johnson went 6-1 while Cheesy went 6-2. Losing that Montreal series still bothers me 53 years later but I blame the team for losing it. By the way, the Sanderson, Westfall, Carleton line was -10 in Game 2. Maybe they should have been benched.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@johnhorn3344 Nah, the brain-dead head coach shouldn't have allowed his 35-year-old goalie to puke up SIX CONSECUTIVE GOALS IN A SPAN OF 23:07 when he had a better option on the bench. BTW, Johnston had a chance to close out the 1972 SCF in five games, but sure enough, he gagged up two goals in the third period to turn a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 meltdown. At Boston Garden. Again. Johnson switched to Cheevers in Game 6 in what should have been a threepeat clincher. #RookieMistake

[@kingspring2851]

First

[@christopherhopkins949]

Tuuka quit in 2020 on the team

[@francescodg22]

He didn't quit on the team his daughter was sick.

[@bbb462cid]

@@francescodg22 Any person choosing to close the door on his daughter is not a Man. Tuukka made the correct choice.

[@jmac03191961]

I have a hard time with Marchand being on the team. What a punk he was and, though he has matured, he's still a punk. And Park was a New York Ranger more than a Bruin. Not seeing that either of these 2 belong here

[@cotedebeaune2012]

I am on the fence w/ Park mostly because of the NYR effect. Is anyone alive who saw Hitchman? His Bruins' number is retired after all.

[@Aaron-kq7rd]

Marchand IS Bruins hockey. Period. Change your feminine hygiene product, get over your little grudge. He has the longevity, accolades, stats, and impact. Plus he's a captain. No Brainer.

[@post1113]

Cheevers is overrated. He could never beat Montreal in the post season.

[@eisenkeith]

I just want to say i hate Tuukka

[@ppstorm_]

trump lost kiddos, deal with it

[@thecarwashelevatorfanatic7433]

Keep politics out of this, thanks.

[@MurphMM.]

Have you gone a day without thinking about Trump since 2016? Seek help

[@Asymmetrical-Saggin]

LOL imagine being such a miserable lonely chad such as above. 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤮🤮🤮🤮🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🚽🚽🚽🚽😂😂

[@ppstorm_]

@@thecarwashelevatorfanatic7433 u mad?

[@ppstorm_]

@@MurphMM. u mad?

[@Seeker22000]

I would have lost my mind had they selected Rask. It should have been between Brimsek, Thompson and Cheevers only. Yes Thomas had a dream season, once, one time. It was over the top fantastic, but that was it, one time. The recency bias was so obvious.

[@PlntPeace]

Thomas has to be on this team for the legendary performances against some of the best offenses in playoff history. He shut down Tampa, Philly and made life hell for the brothers Sedin. They were never the same after TT showed them what determination can do for one man. Hell I was ready to vote Thomas for President after that playoff run he had. Lest we forget just how great Double T was, just KZbin that playoff run he had and some of the mind boggling saves he made.