With the Garden ice long melted and the dog days of summer still laying between us and the first Zamboni ride of the fall, it’s thoroughly baseball season here in New England. With the Sox in the skids, we’re overdue for a much needed all-star break to relax and hit the re-set button. But just because it’s baseball season, doesn’t mean puckheads can’t have a little all-star action of their own.
Over the years, the B’s have employed their fair share of characters. From Dit Clapper and Eddie Shore, to Zdeno Chara and Tuukka Rask, their history is steeped in greatness. And great names. Such a list deserves an all star team of it’s own. And now it has one. To help get you through a very un-soxy all-star break, here are the Boston Bruins All-Time All-Star Names. Enjoy!
1st Team All Stars:
C – Rosie Ruzicka – 1990-93: While a dazzling offensive player, Ruzicka often viewed his defensive game through rose colored glasses.
RW – Bobby Schmautz – 1973-80: Schmautz had a reputation for a hard shot and a harder time finding the net. It’s been well documented that on at least one occasion, Bobby’s shot went straight up into the balcony without touching anything along the way. I’ll never forget my dad screaming out at youth hockey rinks across the state “he Schmautzed it!”, everytime some poor soul (usually me) seemed more like he was aiming for the net of the old Green Monster.
LW – Bun Cook – 1936-37: Sounds like a great guy to bring to a cookout this weekend. Cook starred with brother Bill and Frank Boucher on the famous Bread Line.
D – Sprague Cleghorn – 1925-28: Described as one of the dirtiest players of his era, with a name like that, one can only picture an Irish, hockey playing version of Foghorn Legorn.
D – Bill Quackenbush – 1949-56: This ducky shrub firmed planted himself in the hearts of refs across the league. Quakenbush once went 131 games straight without a penalty and remains one of only two defensemen to ever win the Lady Byng as most gentlemanly player.
G – Tiny Thompson – 1928 – 39: Tiny is usually not what you want from the guy guarding your net from opposing pucks. Fortunately for the B’s the only thing small about Thompson was his goals against average.
2nd Team All Stars:
C – Bronco Horvath – 1957 – 61: Best known for his time on the famous “Uke” line, Horvath gets the nod over his colorfully named wingers John “Chief” Bucyk and Vic Stasiuk. Horvath missed out on an Art Ross in 59-60′ after potting 39 goals and finishing one point behind Bobby Hull. OJ should’ve called for this guy instead.
RW – Steve Heinze – 1991 – 2000: The smooth winger had some decent seasons in Boston. Alas, the no-nonsense Bruins brass wouldn’t let him don number 57 during his time here.
LW – Buzz Boll – 1942 – 44: Two haircuts, one winger.
D – Paul Coffey – 2000-01: Once one of the top offensive defensemen in the league, fans were calling for a fresh pot by the time a de-cafenated Coffey arrived in Boston.
D – Fernie Flaman – 1944-50 & 54-61: Picture a tropical plant that shoots loogies at it’s prey. The real Flaman was a tough bodychecker and successful college coach with no mucus problems to speak of.
G – Jim Carrey – 1997: The “Net Detective’s” time in Boston was anything but comical for those who had to endure it.
Staff:
Coach – Steve Kasper – 1995 – 97: The “Friendly Coach”. B’s fans are still haunted by the memory of Kasper benching Cam Neely and the team missing the playoffs for the first time in 28 years.
Broadcaster – Andy Brickley: A good foundation starts with Brick.
Honorable Mentions: Tim Taylor, Al Iafrate, Fleming Mackell, Glen Featherstone, Pete Peters, Hal Winkler, Woody Dumart, John Blue, Blaine Lacher.
When it comes to a team with as much history as the Bruins, some names are inevitably going to get missed. Didn’t see one of your favorites? Add it to the comments section below.