On This Day

Bobby Orr

Athlete

Born: Canadian

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time. Orr used his skating speed, scoring, and play-making abilities to revolutionize the position of defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 12 seasons, the first 10 with the Boston Bruins, followed by two with the Chicago Black Hawks. Orr remains the only defenceman to have won the league scoring title with two Art Ross Trophies. He holds the record for most points and assists in a single season by a defenceman. Orr won a record eight consecutive Norris Trophies as the NHL's best defenceman and three consecutive Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player (MVP). Orr was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979 at age 31, the youngest to be inducted at that time. In 2017, Orr was named by the National Hockey League as one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.

Orr started in organized hockey at age eight. He first played as a forward, but moved to defence and was encouraged to use his skating skills to control play.

Notable For

Canadian ice hockey player

Bobby Orr's Historical Timeline

  1. Bobby Orr is born

    Bobby Orr, Canadian athlete, known for canadian ice hockey player, was born on 1949-03-20.

  2. Bobby Orr makes his NHL regular-season debut for the Boston Bruins against the Detroit Red Wings

    Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

  3. Ice hockey legend Bobby Orr scores his first career goal (vs Montreal Canadiens)

    Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

  4. Bobby Orr scores first career hat trick (vs Chicago Blackhawks)

    Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

  5. Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: Bobby Orr scores a famous OT winner as Boston beats the St. Louis Blues 4-

    Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: Bobby Orr scores a famous OT winner as Boston beats the St. Louis Blues 4-3 for a 4-0 series sweep; Bruins win their first title since 1941

  6. Bobby Orr signs a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins worth one million dollars, the first million-dollar contract

    Bobby Orr signs a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins worth one million dollars, the first million-dollar contract in NHL history

  7. Bobby Orr plays his last game for the Boston Bruins

    Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

  8. Bobby Orr scores his last career NHL goal against Detroit Red Wings

    Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

  9. Bobby Orr's autobiography "Orr: My Story" debuts at the #8 position on The New York Times best seller list for nonfictio

    Bobby Orr's autobiography "Orr: My Story" debuts at the #8 position on The New York Times best seller list for nonfiction

Associated Historical Events

birth

Bobby Orr is born

Bobby Orr, Canadian athlete, known for canadian ice hockey player, was born on 1949-03-20.

Bobby Orr makes his NHL regular-season debut for the Boston Bruins against the Detroit Red Wings

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

Ice hockey legend Bobby Orr scores his first career goal (vs Montreal Canadiens)

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

Bobby Orr scores first career hat trick (vs Chicago Blackhawks)

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: Bobby Orr scores a famous OT winner as Boston beats the St. Louis Blues 4-

Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: Bobby Orr scores a famous OT winner as Boston beats the St. Louis Blues 4-3 for a 4-0 series sweep; Bruins win their first title since 1941

Bobby Orr signs a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins worth one million dollars, the first million-dollar contract

Bobby Orr signs a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins worth one million dollars, the first million-dollar contract in NHL history

Bobby Orr plays his last game for the Boston Bruins

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

Bobby Orr scores his last career NHL goal against Detroit Red Wings

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

Bobby Orr's autobiography "Orr: My Story" debuts at the #8 position on The New York Times best seller list for nonfictio

Bobby Orr's autobiography "Orr: My Story" debuts at the #8 position on The New York Times best seller list for nonfiction

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bobby Orr born?
Bobby Orr was born on 1949-03-20 (Canadian).
What is Bobby Orr known for?
Canadian ice hockey player
What historical events involved Bobby Orr?
Bobby Orr was involved in 9 recorded historical events, including Bobby Orr is born, Bobby Orr makes his NHL regular-season debut for the Boston Bruins against the Detroit Red Wings, Ice hockey legend Bobby Orr scores his first career goal (vs Montreal Canadiens).

Related Years