He is truly one of the great stories in the history of professional sport. Growing up in the post- World War II years in the Ukrainian section of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His father died when he was ten years old and he learned the values of loyalty and hard work paying off.

He never played the sport he would later become so famous for until he was a grade-schooler and even then, it was with hand-me-down skates and old magazines he used as shin pads. But it was the start of what would become a Hockey Hall-of-Fame career. There are few in one’s lifetime who can honestly be called a bona fide sports legend. He is one, hands down among the all-time elite.

Twenty-three seasons in the NHL; Detroit & Boston. Twenty-one seasons with the Boston
Bruins; 1955/56- 1977/78. He is the all-time Boston Bruins leading goal scorer, having scored 545 regular season goals as a Bruin; 556 career goals; 1,339 regular season points as a Bruin and 1369 career points. He is the only Boston Bruins left-winger in the club’s history to be chosen as NHL First-Team All-Star. He was only the fourth player in hockey history to ever score 50 goals in a season. He captained the Bruins to two Stanley Cup championships. He was the Lou Gerhig in Bruins history, playing in 418 consecutive games, another Bruins record.

When he retired in 1978, he was the third-highest all-time NHL goal scorer in history. Even
with today’s offensive-minded game, increased schedules and expansion, he still ranks 21st on the all-time leading NHL scoring list. Greatness is not only measured by performance but by character. In his sport, he was twice voted winner of the Lady Byng Trophy, an annual NHL award honoring the player who combines gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of playing skill. He was honored by the NHL with its Lester Patrick Award for contributions to hockey in the United States. In 1980, the Bruins retired his #9 jersey. He just celebrated 50 years with the Bruins organization and is still active as Team Road Services Coordinator.

The Boston Bruins Alumni Associated honored John Bucyk with a trophy in his honor; the John P. Bucyk Award” in recognition of his long commitment assisting charities and youth programs throughout the community. This award is given annually to the Boston Bruins player who also contributes the most to charitable and community endeavors along with a $1,000.00 donation by the Bruins Alumni Association to a charity designated by that Bruins player. He is indeed “The Chief”… forever an all time sports legend and a first-class individual… Johnny Bucyk.