Rick Middleton Remembers Guy Lafleur.

Rick Middleton remembers Guy Lafleur in an interview with John Horrigan prior to a Bruins Alumni benefit game in Kingston, MA

[@WOODBINEMAN99]

Rick you were one of the best hockey players ever-loved to watch you play the game

[@waynejohanson1083]

For the record Rick Middleton you should be in the hall of fame.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Absolutely.

[@Oldman43674]

100

[@Madisonrvr]

Totally agree. No doubt about it.

[@dionysius1b870]

Yes he absolutely should! It's a shame Rick is not in the HHoF... Middleton was a iconic jet setter! The way he played... Fast, nimble, wicked shot,.. he is one of the greatest .

[@merc340sr]

Rick Middleton was a great, elegant hockey player and a true sportsman. I remember him very well.

[@dzanier]

A very classy player.

[@vinnievenus3570]

Peter mcnab , his line mate, played well with Middleton. But it's TRUE what rick says here. If lafleur and bossy weren't such forces on the habs and isles respectfully rick most likely would have found himself with one Stanley cup ring at least. Unfortunately for rick middleton'🐒 mike and guy were too dominate. And that's 8 cups between the two. Lafleur. First player to record 6 straight seasons of 50 goals or more in the NHL. Bossy . First to record 9 straight. Two of the greats. That's for sure.🤩 Purree and simple folks. Poor rickey didnt get a cup because of that. O my. Well, at least he can smile about it.

[@dionysius1b870]

@@vinnievenus3570 well said! It's kind of ironic the three men that I grew up watching admiring, watching their skating, puck movement and hockey IQ ( I know there's some hockey players out there ... some of my best friends, that will say " you're not either born with hockey IQ, yet or not " and there's a great amount occupies that believe that's false! you can develop your hockey IQ as you get older) Vossy, Guy and Rick Middleton as I grew up in Boston. I was hurt, when I found out Mike Bossy died.. then Guy.. I was crushed! He was my favorite player of all time. I remember my dad taking to a bruins game. I was move excited to Guy; it was very late in his career, playing with the NY Rangers .. I'd say 88-89' I was young.. but I remember seeing them guy that looked half as old as everybody out there balding wearing no helmet going up and down the ice so fast and so smooth! He's getting so fast he made the other players aka the bruins like they were skating in sand even Ray Bourque ! God Bless and RIP

[@richardgeorge3136]

Rick you are the Man. Bruins fan since WSBK started with TV coverage (Bobby Orr) days. And I still remember all the times you would just go past everyone and light the lamp.

[@charlieponcho4475]

I’m a Habs fan who remembers Rick Middleton only too well! He was always dangerous around the net. Unpredictable, very smart player. He should be in the Hall of Fame. Much respect to you Sir

[@nancetardiff339]

As a Habs fan I remember Rick Middleton very well. A tough, intense, hard working competitor. Respect

[@romainlavoie1526]

Rick Middleton is truly one of the greatest ! One of the smartest players on the ice in the history of the game . If there is one man that can speak of Guy and Mike ! It's Rick !

[@dzanier]

One of the works trades the Rangers ever made. Middleton for Hodge.

[@adamaprimo9023]

He was called Nifty for a very good reason.

[@romainlavoie1526]

@@dzanier absolutely 💯 It's a steal!

[@LeNguyen-vb4zs]

Absolutely. Growing up in Montréal, me, my bro and our dad hated the Bruins, save Middleton and Bourque. Make no mistake, Boston was a great team but we still hated them. Save Rick and Ray. Love watching Middleton, Bossy, Lafleur, and sorely miss that era and it's players...

[@romainlavoie1526]

@@LeNguyen-vb4zs I'm totally with you . Look at some of the goals Rick scored during the 1984 Canada Cup !

[@gastondeveaux3783]

I'm not a Bruins fan but Rick was one of the greatest Bruins. Just a horse in the playoffs, clutch, what a player. Truly a class act.

[@frankjuarez1367]

And you got him for Ken (90 games) Hodge! Ouch!

[@pjpredhomme7699]

same , he was fantastic to watch - classy guy my two favorite players growing up Guy and Bossy die with in days of one another

[@darkoanton5]

As a Habs fan, I used to dread seeing Rick Middleton on a breakaway. He was and is gold. It's great to hear that he's still active in hockey.

[@glennhankins6927]

In the half century that I've been watching NHL hockey, Rick "nifty" Middleton was the best I've ever seen on breakaways. He seemed to finish 95% of his breakaways by lighting the lamp. The second best player I loved to see get into the clear was Rick's teammate Bobby Schmautz. Schmautzie was deadly on breakaways in his years in Vancouver and Boston. Two very exciting players that I enjoyed watching.

[@PaulA-uz5tk]

Rick was one of my early hockey hero’s growing up.

[@FromthePits]

Nifty! Glad I grew up watching both Middleton, Lafluer, and Bossy play.

[@ryerob741]

i'm at a loss...i didn't know we lost Guy, till i just saw this...one of my childhood heros of north american hockey

[@jftube3333]

My great childhood memories were watching these legends like Guy Lafleur & Mike Bossy. Being a Bruins fan, Rick Middleton was a favorite of mine & the man should be in the HOF. Great Bruins teams back then that just fell short to teams during their dynasty years, Montreal, Islanders, then the Oilers.

[@CatholicTraditional]

Took 30 yrs. to get #16 retired...does have the stats for HOF. If Cam Neely is in the Hall for a injury-shortened career, so should Nifty.

[@bufnyfan1]

I saw an interview Mr. Lafleur did in 2010. In it, he seemed to be very bitter that he didn't play in today's era with the salaries that are now being paid compared to when he played. He said that a rookie defenseman in his first year in the league makes more than he did in his entire career

[@darcybarnes6970]

Rick Middleton was an exciting player, All ways worth the price of admission.

[@timfitzpatrick7680]

Magic Middleton! He was a talented player with great hands . . . don't know if he ever really got the full recognition on his incredible talent but as a habs fan he was always one of the players you hated to see with the puck heading for the Montreal net.

[@danieldydzak691]

Rick , thanks and rip guy lafleur , as a montrealer loved the bruins and habs

[@albertong7905]

He was a great hockey player (always in my heart) thanks Rick!

[@christineblack4654]

Guy was the best in the world, the hole team was great with Ken Dryden in the net. He averaged 130 points a year, smoking cigarettes on the bench lol was as fast as the fastest guys today lol natural talent but also hard work, he used to sneak in the arena in Thurso as a kid by a hole he had made and practiced all night haha peace to all who comment from Canada, Québec.

[@charleslacombe8325]

I'll never forget Middletons 4 goal game ! I think it was also the game he wore the cowboy hat(one of the Hatrick hats) on the bench.

[@bradleyb1923]

Rick was a great player in his own right. Began his career with our Rangers. Rest in peace, Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy.

[@hymansahak181]

Loved Number 16 back in the day. He was my favorite Bruin.

[@donmorfeo8901]

Even if you hated the Canadiens back then like I did you got to give Lafleur his due. Incredibly exciting player. Rick should be in the HOF btw.

[@mikehenningsen8796]

I had the pleasure to watch Rick play his Junior hockey in Oshawa when he played for the Generals, a hockey factory for Boston, your welcome Boston!

[@jamesanthony5681]

Likewise. The first time I saw him was Oct/71 in the Civic Auditorium. Great player.

[@mikehenningsen8796]

@@jamesanthony5681 Moved to Oshawa in March 71, became an instant Gens fan! Still keeping up with the "kids" on my App living now in Maynooth, Ontario! Seen alot of good ones come through that Organization sitting in the Civic in Section 17 top row, the loud ones! Great memories!

[@francoisgrenier935]

Rick Middleton should be in the hall of fame. As a young Habs fan in the late 70s, Rick Middleton was the threat, the Bruins were a solid team, but Mr Middleton was the difference maker. So scary as a young Hab fan. Savard stopping him on a breakaway is the highlight of the game seven overtime goal.

[@monibou1]

Thank you Rick for the testymoni. Montréal,Québec

[@karenpiotte90]

Started watching NHL in the 70s as as a child. In a time they didn't wear helmets they were missing a lot of teeth. Guy LaFleur was a class act! No matter what team you were for one had to respect him! Boston Bruins will always my team.🏒

[@tommyrawlings3046]

LaFleur wore a helmet for his first 3 years and he was mediocre! Took off the helmet & he became the best player in the NHL!

[@greggburke7796]

The fact that Rick Middleton isn't in the Hall of Fame is a JOKE. I think he gets penalized for not sticking around 2 more seasons to hit the 500 goal mark. He was over a point per game player for his career, and was truly a gentleman on and off the ice. A great ambassador for the game.

[@legrandfromage6450]

Great comment. Claude Provost is another terrible omission. And since they're now inducting guys like Kevin Lowe, why not bring Butch Goring and Terry O'Reilly into the hall?

[@ChrisBrown-pz2gu]

@@legrandfromage6450 Butch was an amazing shut down forward. The Ilanders don't win those 4 cups in a row without Goring

[@legrandfromage6450]

@@ChrisBrown-pz2gu Yes, it was the acquisition of Goring from the Kings in 1980 that enabled the Islanders to win their first, and they just kept going from there!

[@martinbeaudoin2540]

Provost has 9 cups!!!

[@marksantucci4230]

I remember Rick he was a good player him Terry Oreilly, Wayne Cashman Mike Milbury ? we saw Guy Lafleur I think it was game or maybe 4 last year which because of the Virus was July or end of June 2021? Nice of him to take time to comment on Guy Lafleur! Go Canadiens!

[@suzannelyon1991]

My brother in law Kevan Joyce #10 played along side those guys . But he passed away in 2018 . We miss him dearly . They are all a bunch of great guys . God bless

[@marksantucci4230]

@@suzannelyon1991 sorry to hear about your brother in law.

[@getthestoneman]

I watch Middleton lots when he was a junior with Oshawa Generals !!!

[@pacmech100]

Wow, it was my impression when I watched Rick M. at the time, that he was pretty darn fast too.

[@danieldagenais7945]

Respect to Mr Middleton.

[@karlcooper7016]

If it weren't for those damn cigarettes we would still have Guy with us longer and many more loved ones who died early from smoking.

[@rickleitch1036]

He is a classic..as was Stan Jonathan Cashman...Hodge..Neeley...Mackenzie......all had lots of grit

[@DeathWish1974]

Hey kids, this man had hands like no other

[@drjwbriand]

nifty absolutely should be in hof! class all the way!

[@johnkidd1226]

I never cheered for the Canadiens and dreaded seeing LaFleur or Cournoyer flying down the wing (no helmet, long hair flying). Two of the fastest pure skaters in the game with great scoring ability. I loved my Leafs but Montreal had the best and classiest players of that era.

[@ChrisBrown-pz2gu]

Favourite Bruin of all time (along with Bergeron)

[@47tooter]

I met both of them and they are similar in style. But ,,, Rick is a much better player than Bergy , Pat is extremely over-rated.

[@LeftCentersky]

Rick is right. Without Guy, the Bruins would have won a couple cups. I'd say the 1978 and 1979 cups surely would have been theirs.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

- one of those years Bruins had 11 guys with 20 or more goals

[@BadderSanta]

How is he not in the NHL HOF?

[@michaeltootikian4402]

RIP GUY LAFLEUR AND MIKE BODDY RICK MIDDLETON IS A CLASS ACT

[@kurtrindgen4708]

Ooh the hands on this guy.

[@claudebuysse7482]

Lafleur had 7 excellent seasons and was a instinc player . Quite like Middelton i like a lot...but i was a Habs fan...

[@mckessa17]

Middleton was pretty good himself.

[@stevefrandsen7897]

Rick could skate

[@tomcloss9764]

Tricky Ricky!🤓.

[@billybenden4431]

Middleton for Hodge ! Oh my God

[@pjpredhomme7699]

Yeah that was a theft - but John Ferguson was mad at Middleton he had broken curfew - and Esposito wanted his winger - it wasn't exactly clear headed thinking

[@ericdobrien]

What a great idea .. an Alumni league. Only 222 subscribers? I’ll be 223 thank you 💪

[@thomasdavis4657]

One of the worst trades in sports history Rick Middleton for Ken Hodge Ranger fans can thanks Espo for that

[@theBandit7165]

Why is Rick not in the Hall ?

[@pjpredhomme7699]

that is a great question - I can think of probably a dozen or so who are - that are no where near the player Middleton was - it is clearly political

[@fasteddie9867]

Can't believe the Rangers traded him. He would have helped us win in 1979. Dammit.

[@jamesanthony5681]

The WORST trade I believe the Rangers ever made. Harry Sinden absolutely snookered John Ferguson. Ken Hodge was washed up.

[@fasteddie9867]

@@jamesanthony5681 totally

[@frankjuarez1367]

Along with Jean Ratelle and Brad Park for Esposito and Vadnais which led to the retirement of Rod Gilbert. Francis decimated a good Ranger team trading 2 HOF'ers and Middleton (arguable HOF'er) for Esposito (useless without Hodge and Cashman) and Vadnais (good player).

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@frankjuarez1367 Harry Sinden wanted Brad Park (only 27) because he saw the near end of Bobby Orr. That was the key to the trade for the Bruins, and Sinden spoke about that a couple of years or so later. He always prided having a stud defenceman. Yes, Emile Francis made that trade. However, it was Ranger GM John Ferguson Sr. who traded Rick Middleton for Ken Hodge. I had seen Middleton play during his junior hockey years in Oshawa (1971-1973) and I couldn't believe Ferguson traded him away, especially for Hodge, who by then was 32 and pretty much done.

[@guysmiley1757]

Middleton did for Barry Pederson what Gretzky did for BJ (Blaire) MacDonald. Of course, the Canucks traded for both those clowns, then wondered why they didn't produce in Vancouver.

[@odiecalodie]

I guess Rick wasn’t too Nuts about Guy.

[@rogernoel612]

Worst trade in NY Rangers history. Middleton for Hodge

[@seveglider8406]

Ferguson also passed on drafting mike Bossy twice. Instead he drafted Lucien Beblois and Ron Duguay

[@craigbruce152]

...I hear he used to smoke 2-3 packs a day!!! ...how good would Guy have been if he didn't smoke???

[@John572d4]

Middleton himself also smoked, I suspect though that he quit sooner than the other two.

[@scatrrr]

favorite middleton moment: savard strips middleton of the puck and passes to houle who passes to trembley who passes to lambert who scores!!

[@Spiritsoars]

Shifty

[@47tooter]

Nifty was his nickname.

[@appolop8273]

Cheevers reminds me of Carey Price, can't stop easy shots.

[@tedtimothy9074]

I was surprised that he was a pack a day smoker. That is not good

[@John572d4]

Middleton? Or Lafleur…

[@joeyjazzjosh]

@@John572d4 Lafleur smoked between periods, and never missed a beat. Even his teammates were amazed.

[@John572d4]

@@joeyjazzjosh Yes but Middleton was known to also, as per Kluzak comment about a dozen years ago regarding his mouthpiece coloration.

[@powpowpro]

Rick Middleton not in the Hall of Fame, complete joke.

[@angusthecat6617]

fun fact. rick middleton holds the nhl record for most points in a single playoff series with 19. 7 goals and 12 assists in the 83 adams final against the sabres