Bobby Orr on NOVA

[rhinohippo]

as fine a gentleman as he was a player

[alfredjcarpenter]

The great Bobby Orr !

[jln55]

It's interesting to consider how things might have different for Orr if he had had the benefit of today's surgical techniques.

[PlntPeace]

Orr wasn't your typical "fighter" ...But he would never back down, especially against the "Broad street bullies". What rivalries back then, Montreal, Boston, Philly, New York, Chicago etc... Not like today, Stupid expansion, way too many teams, way too fast. Talk about a watered down league. Which only makes the argument for Orr as the greatest no argument at all. No offense but, Florida, Columbus, Carolina, Phoenix!!!, San Jose, Dallas. Add more northern teams, get rid off southern teams.

[PlntPeace]

I forgot too mention, That day he retired, I remember as a young kid, all the adults were in tears. When Larry Bird had to retire because of serious back problems, I was devasted, but Bird did play 13 years, 10 of which he was unstoppable. For me Bird and Orr were the best. Bird used to look at Orr's banner in the rafters during the national anthem, every game he played at the old Boston Garden. That's respect.

[PlntPeace]

Don't forget his passing and assists. You can clearly see everytime he has the puck, as slow and methodical he looks, no opposing player could touch him or figure out his next move. His back-hand was unstoppable, the instincts to see plays ahead of time and react, his toughness, defensive abilities, he invented the "5 tool player". One story is he could skate before he could walk is a metaphor of his legendary status. If he had 5 more healthy years in him, Gretzky would be an after thought.

[lutonguy]

My Uncle Jack (age 89) says Bobby was the best he's ever seen -- and he saw a few!

[Glannmore]

Orr was amazing to watch! It's a crying shame that he didn't get to play out his full career.

[BCaidan360]

We finally won another cup

[jaqua524]

this is sad :(...he is trying not to cry :(..he loved playing

[lugags]

Bobby Orr was simply the greatest hockey player ever to live on earth.

[tommyarmour986]

Bobby Orr was incredible to watch. He could skate, skate skate all night with the puck until you sent enough guys to contain him and then he would zip a pin point pass to the guys you had to leave open just to get the puck off his stick. Incredible skater. Man, he was good. He was the best hockey player ever in my book and I'm not even a Bruins fan.

[5inthehole]

@tommyarmour986 You got it right Tommy. anyone who saw him play knows the truth; Gretzky was no Orr. People forget what a great defenceman he was. He'd break up 2-1 and 3-1's, blocked shots, smashed player into the boards with those heavy hips. He was the master of ragging the puck when the Bruins were shorthanded. I remember 1 game he ragged the puck for about 35 seconds before shooting it down the ice. And that's just the beging of what made him the best!

[5inthehole]

Saddest 30 seconds in sports history is shown at the begining of this video. God's gift to hockey forced to retire at the age of 30 (after missing the most of the previous 3 years) because of a bad left knee. Get's to me every time I see it.

[bombersfan13]

can you image if bobby had played on 2 healthy knees for 18-20 years like most defenceman... just think about what he did in only 10 years

[ThaKidLid]

@bombersfan13 I'm only 13, but I can relate to him. I play on a U18 Midget A team. My right knee is VERY similar to his. I have torn Cartilage. I also play Left Defense, and am the leading in Assists/Goals on my team. But my knee.. Is so so.. so painful.

[mtoinma]

LOL...wasn't that a REALLY YOUNG Jack Williams at the end?

[leonetski]

orr was best ever...he was a great fighter too...listen to gordie howe and bobby hull talk about him

[marcusbondi]

Orr could and would fight. If you can't fight AND score goals, you can't be up for the best hockey player of all time. Heck, even in his book there is an instructional chapter on fighting; it IS part of the game; don't back down from bullies, turn your toes out slightly, etc . As an 8 year-old I read it and it helped my total game immeasurably.

[syxtynyne]

He was a gifted player ,probably the best. But I'm sorry the man could not fight.He was a cheap shot artist. Usually threw punches when the officials were between him and another player.

[geocgeo]

@syxtynyne Bobby Orr could not fight?? ROFL

You beyyer go watch the YouTube video

Bobby Orr Tough

Could not fight..HA HA HA

[geocgeo]

@syxtynyne..ROFL

v=q3AhKTaenqQ

[Gordie14]

he could hold the puck as long as he wanted and no one could take it away and you can bet that if the other team got the puck he would take it right back, he was the ultimate team player. Furthermore, only gretzky, mario and mike bossy have higher career point-per-game averages then he does, but he was a defenseman! think about that for a moment. The fact that he was cut down in his prime is still the greatest blows ever to the game of hockey...Number 4 Bobby Orr you will always be the best

[Gordie14]

Bobby Orr is the greatest hockey player to ever live. Lemieux and Gretzky may have been better scorers but Orr was the greatest COMPLETE hockey player to play. He could score like the best, he could defend anyone, was an amazing skater, he fought, he hit, he did everything, no offense to mario and wayne but bobby orr controlled the game like no one else.

[Macknsteez]

@Gordie14 plus orr was a defenseman, had he played forward he probably would have double the points, but the fact is that he led the league in scoring multiple times as a DEFENSEMAN and had a +124 record that not even gretsky has gotten close to. Orr didn't have little bodyguard players around him that hit anyone who touched him, he fought his own bouts, he wasn't a pussy, and had the best and fastest end to end moves in hockey history, racking up a plethora of goals, thus making him the best.

[lehabitant41]

I could not agree with you more. He is of my generation I recall as a young boy playing hockey on Montreal during the his time the battles between the Bruins and the Habs. Most kids in my area wanted o be Bobby Orr even in Montreal with Canadien greats of the early 70'S.

[IRONSEAN7]

god,, it amazes me how many people go to Videos of stuff to talk shit,, Bobby orr is the Greatest,, if ya dont like it go suck cock while watching a WAYNE GREATZKY video,, while sittin in your moms basement .. LOSERS

[blyson]

Primax won that argument..... severely.....

[streetcarjay]

The pride of Parry Sound, Ontario.

[MrHockeyProductions]

They really Should make a "Bobby Orr" Movie and they should name it "Number 4"

[rakdrjr]

Pure talent and speed. Cut down in his prime. In the top 3 all time. I was lucky enogh to see him talk at a golf outting in livonia MI a few yrs ago.

[PRIMAX1967]

1:00 perhaps the best hockey player ever?!?!?! Do you still have any doubts you asshole. Where have you ever seen better? Just name one? Thinking Gretsky maybe? Not even close! And another thing, have more respect for the best ever. Bobby Orr was, is and will always be the best hockey player to step on the ice.

[69chunkylover69]

How can you be such an idiot? Gretzky is nothing but the best.

[PRIMAX1967]

69chunkylover69: Me an idiot for saying that Orr was, is and will always be the best? No doubt about it Gretzky "was" an excellent player. But don't forget. Orr's carreer was cut very short because of his injuries. The man waaaaay ahead of his time. Even to this day he is considered (yes even by Gretzky) that Orr was the greatest. Live with it.

[69chunkylover69]

Have you considered that Bobby Orr has said that Gretzky is the greatest?

Go suck an egg and get back to me.

[PRIMAX1967]

I put facts for you to read. Not fantasies. Bobby Orr has said that Gretsky (along with 2 or 3 dozen other players) were great players. But he never said that any of them were the greatest.

Sucking is more your department. And i doubt that it that it's eggs.

[69chunkylover69]

Listen you fucking head-off. Bobby has said that Gretz is the greatest- end of story. I use to think Mario Lemiuex was the greatest player of all time. But at the end of the day you have to put longevity into the equation for who was the greatest of all time.

[PRIMAX1967]

Fuck you! Fucking low-life piece of shit! You think Gretzky is the best. That's you're fucking lame ass opinion. Keep it! Nobody gives a flying fuck! Besides, that doesn't change the fact that you're an asshole! You probablhy still believe in Santa Claus too!

[69chunkylover69]

With a lame rebuttle like that I'm beggining to wonder if you were around to watch Orr or even Gretzky for that matter...

[PRIMAX1967]

I was around. Were you? Or were you still swimming inside your daddies nuts for a few more years?

[69chunkylover69]

Oh good, so you're just retarded then.

[PRIMAX1967]

69chunkylover69: No, actually, if there is anybody in here that is retarded it's you.

Everyone here agrees that Orr was, is and will always be the best. Just you don't think so.

Ok, that's your opinion. And you're entitled to it. But so am i. Don't agree or like it. Tough shit. I couldn't give a bigger shit for you.

[69chunkylover69]

It's "special" that you are able to type and use a computer.

[PRIMAX1967]

69chunkylover69: Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. But you have to admit it really is special that you can read at all.

[69chunkylover69]

And he goes on like this...

[PRIMAX1967]

Hey! Does your mom know that you actually survived at child birth? Seriously! She was convinced that she tried to abort you!

It's better to write home and tell her that survived and are (more or less) well.

[69chunkylover69]

Actually I was the product of a teenage birth.... better than being imbred like yourself.

[PRIMAX1967]

You're more the product of a teenage birth gone wrong. I guess the test tubes in those days weren't as efficient as today's. Better luck next time.

[ucallmelola]

That wondrous Bobby Orr!!

[johnnyangel58]

Thanks Bobby

[AceBG27]

Bobby Orr was, is and always will be the Greatest Hockey Player of all time.

[Flakeskid85]

Orr was one of the first to rely on weight training in the off-season to stay in shape and get the legs a bit stronger. He took very good care of himself (though if you listen Phil Esposito - they did enjoy a drink or two).

I know it's already been said but we can only imagine what Orr's career would have been like had the surgical technology back then have been what it is today. Regardless; he's still the best there was!

[gangster3591]

What might Orr have accomplished, were he not beset with knee injuries? Perhaps it was just as well: with a healthy knee, his dominance would have been so great as to scandalize professional hockey. Orr was the blazing supernova we can hope to see once in our lifetime - if we're lucky. Thanks for the memories, Bobby.

[harrybawls2008]

Dzurilla was incredible! I thought he was even better then Tretiak. That Canada Cup 76 was magical. And imagine Orr winning MVP in the tournament when he was at the end of his career. He led the entire Team Canada in points.

[harrybawls2008]

*******GOD BLESS BOBBY ORR*******

[jm338]

what happend to his knee

[hahathatswhatshesaid]

alot of stuff

[85highlander]

also check out the new youtube video: watch?v=1DuYl_dfsWM

[ds6389]

anyone from boston notice jack williams at the end?

[imjdg]

You forgot that in 1971, he was +124

That's insane, with puny goalie equipment. Today he'd be +250

[dome1972]

He was playing against a bunch of pilons though. I doubt he could hold Lidstrom's jock in today's game.

[Michal103818]

And his stats are so amazing:

Calder trophy, 3x Hart trophy (won by defensman once since), 8 straight Norris trophies, 2x Conn Smythe trophy and two Stanley Cup winning goals and he won Art Ross Trophy twice!!!! That's not just amazing, for me it is miracle. And he was great character, too. He was visiting children in the hospital 3times a week without getting any publicity as present stars do. His coach found out just by chance about his generosity.

[matt75hooper]

Orr was the best hockey player I've ever seen, over the last 40+ years. There will never be another Orr. They now come from a ridgid cookie cutter non-stop hockey camp foundation. Orr was from the frozen ponds. He learned his trade in 25 below weather. Kids dont carry the puck anymore. The puck goes around the rink like a Pin Ball game. Dump and chase. The game appears faster today----but no one is carrying the puck ! Everyone is chasing it, and then dumping it ! Modern Hockey. Fooey.

[solord]

And what shocked me: Was that I didn't realize that Orr had to retire at the age of 30!!! Holy Cow: I had no idea he was THAT YOUNG!! I thought he had to quit when he was in his late 30's or something like that . . . but NOT 30!!! To me that only makes his injury that more tragic. What a player!!

[Bleeney]

Orr actually was finished at the age of 27. He played 10 games for the Bruins in 75-76 (scoring 18 points) when his knee just popped while he was walking through an airport. He had another operation, and played in only a handful of games with the Hawks over the next three years. Done at 27 years old! He should have just been entering the prime years of his career. Gordie Howe calls Orr the greatest player he's ever seen, and said losing him so young is the biggest loss the game has ever endured.

[solord]

Unbelievable. Thanks for the info, Bleeney. I started following hockey at the tail end of the 1977-78 season: So I just missed seeing him play. Of course, I've seen him skate on Orr retrospectives, but never had the honor of seeing him live or at least seeing him on TV during game time. So basically Orr had about 8 good seasons. Tough break: Pretty similar to Gale Sayers HOF career: 7 seasons: First 5: All-Pro stats; Year 6: Blew out knee, Done at 27. Year 8: Retired at 28. Great players!

[Michal103818]

Bleeney is right. You can check the stats.

I was born in 1978 in Czechoslovakia, so his carrer was over, when i was born. I started watching the game when we won World Championship in Prag 1985 and even though it was not very safe then to talk nice about "imperialistic" heroes, my father mentioned great Bobby Orr who defeated our country in 1976 at Canada Cup. Wayne Gretzky was my hero when i grew up, but as i have chance to watch Bobby Orr now and compare, i think he is the best player ever.

[Bleeney]

I only wish that more of his career was preserved on tape. The Boston station that carried Bruin games apparently destroyed most of their tapes years ago. There were no sports stations on cable back then. Many of the markets in the U.S. didn't even carry hockey on TV. VCRs didn't exist either. It's not like Gretzky or Lemieux, where every moment of their careers is captured on film. What we see of Orr on youtube videos is just the tip of the iceberg. This was Bobby Orr every game of his career.

[ldhorricks]

Ahoj Michal...Im a Canadian living in your country...uz patnact let...mate uplne perfektni anglicky...fakt ale vyborny...jeste bydlite tady?...ja mam nekolik DVDs stary NHL zapasy...I also have the final game of the 76 CZ/Can Canada Cup...great game with Zurila in net...he was refrigerator repair man for a living...all the players exchanged jerseys at the end of the game...wonder who has Orrs jersey...and I wonder what Hlinka did with the car he won.

[ldhorricks]

god bless Ivan Hlinka

[Michal103818]

And God bless Dzurilla, too

[Michal103818]

It is a little confusing now, because you probably live in Czech republic and i am from Slovakia. I have been living in Ireland in last 4years, so my english improved a lot :) Thanks, but you have learnt a lot of czech, too and it is much harder to learn slavic languages for you than English for us. Dzurilla was voted the best hockey player of the 20-th century in Slovakia, Stastny, Golonka, Bondra and all other great guys finished behind and nobody said a word of doubt :)

[braino2000]

Wayne Gretzky was probably the best at making plays and scoring and raw talent. But he wasn't nearly as complete as howe or orr. Wayne was a pussy. He litterally had the upper body developement of an 8th grader, and couldn't hit or defend himself, orr and howe could do anything they sought fit. And this is coming from a HUGE gretzky fan. Bobby orr and Gordie howe were the true great veterans of the game.

[85highlander]

Bravo. Only an idiot would ever deny Gretzky his due as the greatest offensive force hockey has ever seen. It's not likely his records will ever be matched, unless they change a ton of rules or something. Gretzky will forever be the "Great One" in this regard.

But Orr had such a complete game -- and as you can see from the above clip, paid for it with his hockey life. His leg looks like it was eaten by a shark, and he still dominated the league on one friggen leg. Unbelievable, and heroic!!!

[braino2000]

Agreed agreed :). People hate Gretzky just because he was a skinny kid and took the game to a whole new level, he played so long because he didn't get injured, because nobody could touch him! Gretzky was great in the mind blowing at certain aspects of the game, but Orr, was just and all around hero. I say an ode to the greatest players of all time.

[laxjunkie1]

call me an idiot but bobby orr was A DEFENCEMAN!!!! In the days of guy lafleur.phil esposito,bobby hull,gretzky was a wanker in a watered down league..the nhl was grabbing guys off the street to fill their rosters.orr played against hardened men who played in the whl ohl qmjhl serious dudes none of the gay europeans of the 80's

[dunskie]

I remember watching the live broadcast of his retirement ceremony. When they introduced him, the fans at The Garden gave him a standing O that lasted through 2 commercial breaks.

[tlpfas1]

I am 42 and got to see him many times at madison Square Garden..  NONE BETTER ..Put five Orr's vs five any other player and the Orr's win..

The greatest hockey player ever ... #4 is #1

[clydesdalecm]

What if we had recent technology to repair his knees vs old school huge incisions? Man...missed seeing that guy play another 6-8 years.

[Maxie1111]

I would have loved to see Orr play against Mario if the recent techology for sure helped. Which I'm positive about.

[TenneyMead]

In my opinion, the greatest athlete I have ever seen, including Jim Brown, Michael Jordan, or Jerry Rice. Bo Jackson is close though.

[johnnywad47]

Opinions from nobodies will be ever present.Some characterize facts fairly closely.Others I can only laugh at.I played the game at a very high level,and have seen first hand the entailments of which you babble.Amuse yourselves, you do no harm.

[chiefbigmac]

The greatest athletes of all time:

1.Bobby Orr-the only defenceman to lead the N.H.L. in scoring and he did it twice

2.Muhammad Ali-only 3 time world heavyweight champion

3.Pele-won 3 World Cups

[chiefbigmac]

Take a look at Orr's knees and then think about how he dominated the NHL like no other. After Orr had to retire because of knee injuries, it was an unwritten rule that no one was to plaster Gretzky-the NHL didnt want to lose their best player like they lost Bobby Orr-he is the greatest to ever play-and no one will be able to come close.

[blabberjob]

I hated the Bruins mostly because Orr was so damn f*cking good. But Orr was bloody damn protected. The big bad Bruins were the toughest team in the league at that time with John Mackenzie, Ken Hodge and they all knew their mealticket was Orr. Just ask Pat Quinn of the Leafs when he caught Orr with his head down one night and laid him out flat. The whole Bruin team jumped him.

[Bleeney]

The difference between Orr and the superstars since (Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby) is that Orr ultimately settled his own scores, the way Richard and Howe did. He was old school. He would never let anyone think that he needed protection and couldn't take care of himself. Not that the other Bruins didn't come to his defense and go after Quinn, but it was Orr who finally gave it to him pretty good.

[Bleeney]

Obviously, Orr wasn't in Howe's league when it came to toughness...nobody is. Those who messed with him regretted it. This doesn't mean that Orr wasn't tough. Gretzky hid behind McSorley and Semenko. Bobby Clarke gave out cheap shots and his thugs protected him. Not Orr. He fought his own battles and backed down from no one, taking on heavyweights like Harris and Kurtenbach. He also played through extraordinary pain throughout his career. The guy was tough.

[Maxie1111]

Didn't Orr treat Howe just like any other player in that regard then?

[ldhorricks]

Bleeney you've nailed it here...I was fortunate enough to watch orr in his prime live and on TV...as I did Gretzky and Lemieux and Howe in his last days with the Whalers...I watched many of the icons play all great in their own way (Lafleur,Perreault,Esposito,Bo­ssey,Gretzky,Potvin,D.Savard etc)...IMO there has never been as complete a hockey player as Robert Orr.

[Bleeney]

I agree with dome1972 about Howe's toughness. He was, in my opinion, the most physically dominating player in history. He and Orr were the best all-round players ever. He was superb defensively, and was the leading scorer when goals were hardest to come by. Orr was more skilled, Howe was more physical. They are 1 and 1a. I still feel Orr #1, but Howe is the only player worthy of being considered on his level. Neither one had a weakness.

[Hoontasan]

Gordie Howe was tough but he wasn't in Orr's league. Orr played a game that Howe could only dream about.

[dome1972]

Lets see...Gordie out scored Richard, out fought Ferguson, out skated Hull and out nastied Mikita. Still, he was the best ever. Orr was play was revolutionary but Gordie meant more to his team, the league and the sport than anyone ever has. Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux were spectacular atheletes but Gordie was and shall always remain The Icon.

[Hoontasan]

If you call Makita nasty you're credibility is shot. Orr outskated everyone with one leg and outplayed them all around. Howe was recently quoted as saying Orr was the most complete dominating player in NHL history. Everyone in Canada agrees.

[dome1972]

Stan was known as stick-man in his time so the nasty-tag is valid. The fact that your old enough to have seen him play and are ignorant to this speaks volumes about you knowledge or lack-there-of. Try reading a little instead of developing your understanding from watching Youtube. As for me, I will stay vigilant and dispense The Truth until morons like you can reason soundly.

[Hoontasan]

I laugh at clowns like you who watch the game on TV or in the stands and think they are experts. I've been around awhile and played some as well. I wasn't good enough to play at the NHL level but I was the first line center for a division 1 NCAA champion. I'm sure you wouldn't have qualified to carry my hockey bag from the bus to the locker room. But maybe you can tell us about your pee wee team.

[johnnywad47]

Way to go Hoonster.Well said.

[dome1972]

Shhhhhhh...that's ok honey.

[Robzz]

dome1972, howe was very good but he isn't better than orr.

Greatest of all time:

1.Orr

2.Gretzky

3.Howe

4.Lemieux

[dome1972]

Gordie would have ripped these guys apart. No one ever had to stick up for Number 9...the same can not be said for the others.

[Bleeney]

dome72: I'm probably the biggest Orr fan on the planet, but Howe is right there beside him, above all others. Howe said Orr was the best player he's ever seen, Orr said Howe was #1. It makes me sick when I hear people say that Gretzky was the best, but if anyone picks Howe, I have nothing but respect for their choice.

[Hoontasan]

I've seen them all over the past 60 years watching the NHL game. There were many great players but Orr was simply the best. He was the most complete multi-dimensional player. He had no weaknesses.

[dome1972]

He wasn't that good in his own end. Gordie was "the" complete player. He could play it any way you wanted and hand you your hat any which way.

[Hoontasan]

Not good in his own end? He took the puck away at will. He was strong, agile, quick and fast. He had the best +/- in the league over his career and it wasn't even close.

[dome1972]

He was soft in his own end. He relied on his D partner and a winger to take care of his responcibility in his zone. Rumour has it that Cheevers through more punches than Orr ever did.

[Hoontasan]

You obviously had a significant relationship with Howe. Orr was tough and an absolute physical speciman. He wasn't soft in his own end like Howe. Howe was dirty and a cheap shot artist. Cam Neely would have pounded Howe into the ice.

[dome1972]

Actually, Hull was considered the ultimate physical speciman. He was a monster in a time prior and even after the induction of weight training regimes. However, as strong as Hull was, he never challenged Howe. Hull is quoted as stating that Howe's power could transend generations. Sounds like Hull understood that Howe was the ultimate truth. Orr in comparison was an average sized man who couldn't stay healthy.

[johnnywad47]

Hey Hoonter,this guys busting your hump.Don't give him the satisfaction.Backyard rink wannabe's ALWAYS do that shit

[fridolon]

I once played hockey in Boston great people in Boston. Thanks to the family who had me for 1 week.

[Purple87Persson]

orr is the best. period.

[xtntx]

You guys say he is not the greatest at all because you never lived in that era and watch him play? You only look at the stats and say "Oh he sux blah blah blah" GTFO of hockey! I've seen some of Gordie's games, many of Orr's and definitely Wayne/Lemieux. None of them match Orr. Before he came to the league, he was already forseen as the greatest.

[85highlander]

On one freaking leg, ONE FREAKIN' LEG, he skated circles around the NHL, and never backed away from contact. Maybe it was fate slowing him down and keeping him human, otherwise they would have kicked him out of the league for being too good to play there!!

[fridolon]

Orr was the best.100% no.1

[Elementblinkava44]

no way orr was is the all time greatest player

[paulbpresto]

WHO THEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[robertmastroianni]

Truely The Greatest to ever lace on the skates was Gordie Howe

[dome1972]

Gordie's strength, longevity, scoring, leadership, charisma and nastiness was legendary and just one of the reasons that he was a more complete player than Gretzky, Lemieux or Orr.

[Hoontasan]

dome1972 is a fucking idiot!

[dome1972]

What? Not only did Gordie turn Detroit into Hockey Town but he also had Edna Crabapple (Simpsons) fall in love with him...he was a very gentle lover.

[5inthehole]

Those scars on Bobby's knee's left bigger scars on us Bruins fans. When you have seen the miraculous you know it; boy was he something else to watch. Truely The Greatest to ever lace on the skates.