On Oct. 28th, 1978, hall of famer and Bruins legend Bobby Orr scored his last career goal. Orr knew the upcoming season would be his last with the Chicago Blackhawks, about 12 years after his first career goal with the Bruins.
Orr started his career with the Boston Bruins and is well known for his goal of flying through the air in overtime in the Stanley Cup final in 1970. He became a Boston Bruin in the 1966-67 season. Orr accumulated over 915 career points, 270 goals, and 645 assists in 657 career games throughout his career.
He is the only player to win two Stanley Cups, Conn Smythe, the Hart, Art Ross and Norris trophies in a single season. He accomplished this in the season of 1969-70. Orr left the league as a two-time Stanley Cup champion, an eight-time Noris winner, one of the only defensemen to win the Hart and win three times, two-time Conn Smythe, Calder Memorial and three-time Art Ross. He also won the Northern Star Award, Lester Patrick Trophy, Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year, and Ted Lindsey.
Orr was a free agent and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played the remainder of his career. That season, Orr played in 20 games and had two goals and two assists. He dealt with a knee injury, knowing the following season would likely be his last. His last career goal was against the Detroit Red Wings. He scored on Red Wing goalie Rogatien Vachon. The Blackhawks lost the game 7-2. The game will be remembered as Orr’s last goal rather than the Blackhawks losing to the Red Wings.
During his final season, Orr was advised to rest as much as possible to continue his career. He played six games in his last season and ended with two goals, two assists, and four points. Even when injured, Orr gave the game his all, and it wasn’t known he was hurting on the ice. He could barely walk during the day leading up to the games he played in the last two seasons he was active in the league.
Although Orr played the last two seasons of his career as a Blackhawk, he is memorable for his time with the Boston Bruins. He did not resign with the Bruins because Orr was injured and did not want a long-term contract, knowing he could leave. He may have been a Blackhawk for two seasons, but he will always be remembered as a Bruins Legend.
Orr retired at 30, one of the youngest to retire from the NHL due to a chronic knee injury. His name will always be in the conversation of the greatest hockey players, alongside Wanye Gretzky and Gordie Howe. His final season was short but memorable, and he officially retired from the National Hockey League on Nov. 1, 1978, a few days after his last career goal.
