The Boston Bruins reached a monumental mark Sunday, which signaled the 100-year anniversary of the Unique Six franchise’s first recreation.
The Bruins made positive to have fun the event accordingly.
The group placed on a virtually 30-minute pregame ceremony earlier than dealing with the Montreal Canadiens with loads of video montages worthy of manufacturing goosebumps for any Bruins fan.
Listed here are three observations from the festivities:
Star Energy
Loads of star gamers have placed on the Black and Gold jersey over the previous century and Sunday was a reminder of that. A number of the greatest names in franchise historical past have been in attendance, together with Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Willie O’Ree, Terry O’Reilly, Rick Middleton, Johnny Bucyk, Cam Neely, Ray Bourque and Patrice Bergeron amongst just a few others.
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The gamers have been introduced to the TD Backyard crowd within the eras by which they performed for the Bruins. Bergeron, who retired following the 2022-23 season after taking part in 19 seasons with Boston, obtained the loudest ovation from the Bruins devoted.
Passing the Torch
The Bruins took a visit down reminiscence lane, reflecting on their illustrious previous and the way every technology of gamers formed the group’s storied id. However the Bruins additionally appeared ahead as they closed out the chapter on the group’s first 100 years.
“It’s time to begin one other 100 years,” former Bruins coach and common supervisor Harry Sinden mentioned as he narrated a video montage.
The Bruins, who’ve been a part of the material of the Boston neighborhood since their inception, appeared to the long run by having a number of youth hockey members come on the ice with the franchise’s legends. The previous Bruins gamers then handed a puck over to the youngsters, signaling that the way forward for hockey was of their fingers.
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It additionally shouldn’t be misplaced that the present Bruins crew watched the whole lot of the ceremony from the bench — the Canadiens determined to remain within the locker room for the festivities. That felt like a passing-the-torch second as nicely with this iteration of the Bruins led by interim head coach Joe Sacco spearheading a brand new period.
Present Bruins Participant Concerned In Ceremony
Brad Marchand was the one present Bruins participant to participate within the pregame ceremony. He was definitely worthy given his on-ice accomplishments, however with the Bruins getting set to face the Canadiens, it was somewhat little bit of a shock to see him come out of the tunnel in a swimsuit with puck drop proper across the nook.
Marchand was launched after Bergeron and the 2 had a second because the ceremony concluded once they put their arms round each other. Maybe Marchand tried a last-ditch try to get Bergeron to return out of retirement.