Bobby Orr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bobby Orr OC
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1979
Orr in 2010
Born	(1948-03-20) March 20, 1948 (age 77) Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Boston Bruins Chicago Black Hawks
National team	Canada
Playing career	1966–1978
Medal record Representing  Canada Men's ice hockey Canada Cup Gold 1976 Canada Ice hockey

Robert Gordon Orr OC (born March 20, 1948) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Many people believe he is one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Orr changed how the defenceman position was played. He used his amazing skating speed, scoring ability, and play-making skills.

He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 12 seasons. He spent his first 10 seasons with the Boston Bruins. Then he played two seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks. Bobby Orr is the only defenceman to ever win the league scoring title. He did this twice, winning two Art Ross Trophies. He also holds the record for the most points and assists in a single season by a defenceman.

Orr won the Norris Trophy eight times in a row. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman. He also won the Hart Trophy three times in a row. This award is for the league's most valuable player (MVP). Orr was put into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979 when he was just 31 years old. At that time, he was the youngest player ever to be inducted. In 2017, the NHL named Orr as one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.

Orr started playing organized hockey at age eight. He first played as a forward. But his coach moved him to defence. He was encouraged to use his skating skills to control the game. NHL scouts noticed Orr's play when he was only twelve years old. At fourteen, Orr joined the Oshawa Generals. This was a junior team connected to the Bruins. He was an all-star for three of his four seasons there.

In 1966, Orr joined the Boston Bruins. This team had not won a Stanley Cup since 1941. They had not even made the playoffs since 1959. With Orr on the team, the Bruins won the Stanley Cup twice. They won in 1970 and 1972. Both times, Orr scored the winning goal. He was also named the playoff MVP. In 1976, he was the MVP of the 1976 Canada Cup international hockey tournament. This was a final big achievement in his career.

In 1976, Orr left Boston to join the Black Hawks. He was a free agent. However, repeated injuries had badly damaged his left knee. He retired in 1978 at age 30. Orr's first professional contract was one of the first in hockey to be negotiated by an agent. It made him the highest-paid player in NHL history as a rookie. His second contract was the first million-dollar contract in the NHL. After he retired, Orr faced financial challenges. He later helped expose problems with his agent, Alan Eagleson. Orr also supported a lawsuit that helped players get a fair deal with the NHL's pension plan.

After his hockey career, he became a scout for several professional teams. Orr started his own player agent business in 1996. It was called the Orr Hockey Group agency. It was later bought by the Wasserman Media Group in 2018. Orr also does a lot of work for charity. He also appears in television commercials. Since 1996, Orr has coached a team of junior hockey players. This is for the annual CHL Top Prospects Game.

Hockey Career Highlights

Early Life and Junior Hockey

Bobby Orr was born in Parry Sound, Ontario. This town is on the shores of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada. His grandfather, Robert Orr, was a professional soccer player. He moved from Ballymena, Northern Ireland to Parry Sound. Bobby's father, Doug Orr, was also a hockey player. He was invited to join a team in 1942. But he joined the Royal Canadian Navy instead. He served during the Second World War. Doug and his wife, Arva Steele, had five children. Bobby was born on March 20, 1948. He was a very small baby at birth.

Bobby Orr showed his hockey skills from a very young age. He played his first organized hockey in 1953 when he was five. This was in the "minor squirt" division. He got his first skates a year before that. Even though he was small, he could skate faster than anyone his age. He showed this speed in races and games. Until he was ten, Orr played as a forward. His coach, former NHL player Bucko McDonald, moved Orr to defence. Even though he played defence, McDonald told Orr to use his skills to carry the puck and score. Orr later said, "Bucko taught me almost everything I know."

The Boston Bruins noticed Orr in 1961. He was playing in a youth hockey tournament in Gananoque, Ontario. The Bruins' scout, Wren Blair, said he was like two famous players combined. The Bruins wanted Orr right away. Blair visited Orr's family often. In 1961, the Bruins sponsored Orr's minor hockey team. They gave CA$1,000 to help the team. Three other NHL teams also wanted Orr. But he signed with the Bruins in 1962. Orr said he chose the Bruins because they were "a team of the future."

Blair helped start a new Oshawa Generals team in Oshawa, Ontario. The Bruins already had a junior team. But Blair convinced them to own another. He made a deal so the Bruins owned most of the Generals. Orr would play for Oshawa. When Orr was fourteen, Blair convinced his family to let him try out for the team. To get Orr to sign with the Bruins when he turned eighteen, Blair made a special deal. Bobby would stay in Parry Sound for school. He would only drive to Oshawa for games on weekends. This was a three-hour trip one way. The bonus for signing was CA$10,000. He also got a new car and the Bruins paid to fix his family's home.

Orr started playing junior hockey in the 1962–63 season. He played for the new Generals team. Orr was only fourteen. He was playing against players who were eighteen, nineteen, and twenty years old. In the 1963–64 season, Oshawa joined the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). Orr moved to Oshawa and lived with a local family. He scored 29 goals that season. This set a junior record for goals by a defenceman. He was also named to the OHA's first All-Star team.

Orr's goal and point totals increased every year in junior hockey. He was named to the OHA First-All Star team every season. His best season was in 1965–66. He scored 38 goals, breaking his own record. He finished with 94 points, averaging two points per game. The Generals won the OHA championship, the J. Ross Robertson Cup. They then played for the Memorial Cup, the junior championship of Canada.

In the 1966 Memorial Cup Final, Orr got a painful groin injury. This injury made it hard to skate. The Generals wanted him to play to promote the event. But the Bruins' management did not want him to risk more injury. Orr and his parents insisted he play for the national championship. He played, but he was not at his best. Oshawa lost the Cup.

Joining the Bruins

Orr joined the Bruins for the 1966–67 season. This was his first year as a professional. The Bruins first tried him out as a centre. Orr chose jersey number 4. His junior number (2) was retired in honor of Eddie Shore. Orr played his first NHL game on October 19, 1966. He got one assist. On October 22, he scored his first NHL goal. It was a slap shot past Gump Worsley. The Boston Garden crowd gave Orr a standing ovation.

In his first season, Orr was challenged by older players. He earned their respect by winning a fight against Montreal's Ted Harris. On December 4, 1966, he injured his knees for the first time in the NHL. He missed nine games. The Bruins finished last that season. But attendance at Boston Garden increased a lot.

For the season, Orr scored 13 goals and 28 assists. This was one of the best rookie seasons for a defenceman. Orr won the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award is for the league's best rookie. He was also named to the NHL's Second All-Star team. New York Rangers defenceman Harry Howell won the Norris Trophy that year. Howell said he was glad to win when he did. He predicted, "Orr will own this trophy from now on."

Injuries and First Norris Trophy

In 1967–68, injuries limited Orr to just 46 games. He scored 11 goals and had 20 assists. Before the season, Orr hurt his right knee. In December, a Frank Mahovlich check caused a broken collar bone and a shoulder separation. Orr returned in January to play in the NHL All-Star Game. This was his first of eight All-Star appearances. In February, he had to leave a game after his left knee became stiff. He had his first of many operations on that knee. Despite the injuries, Orr won the first of his record eight Norris Trophies. He was also named to the NHL's first All-Star team.

After finishing last in 1966–67, the Bruins made the 1968 playoffs. This was their first time since the 1958–59 season. Before the season, the Bruins added Phil Esposito, Fred Stanfield, and Ken Hodge from the Chicago Black Hawks. This was one of the most famous trades ever. The Bruins also added rookies Glen Sather and Derek Sanderson. This made them a more aggressive team, earning them the nickname 'Big Bad Bruins.' The Bruins were swept by Montreal in the first round.

Breaking Records

In 1968–69, Orr skipped the pre-season to rest his knee. He still played through pain sometimes. He scored his first career NHL hat trick on December 14 against Chicago. He also added two assists for a five-point night. He scored 21 goals that season. This broke the goal-scoring record for a defenceman. He totaled 64 points, setting a new point-scoring record for a defenceman in one season. He won the Norris Trophy again.

Orr had a rivalry with Toronto rookie defenceman Pat Quinn. In a late-season game, Quinn hit Orr hard, knocking him unconscious. Orr was carried off on a stretcher. The Bruins swept the Maple Leafs in the playoffs. Orr returned for the third game against Toronto. The Bruins then lost to the Montreal Canadiens.

1970: First Stanley Cup Win

Orr as he scored "The Goal," during the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals

In 1969–70, Orr almost doubled his scoring. He got 120 points. This was just six points shy of the league record. He led the league in scoring. As of 2021, Orr is the only defenceman to win the Art Ross Trophy. He won it a second time in 1974–75. Besides the Norris and Art Ross, Orr won his first of three Hart Trophies as regular-season MVP. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his playoff performance. This made him the only player to win four major NHL awards in one season.

Orr led the Bruins through the 1970 playoffs. He scored nine goals and 11 assists. On May 10, 1970, he scored one of the most famous goals in hockey history. This goal gave Boston its first Stanley Cup since 1941. The goal came off a give-and-go pass with teammate Derek Sanderson. It happened 40 seconds into the first overtime period in Game 4. This completed a sweep of the St. Louis Blues.

Orr, tripped after scoring "The Goal", goes flying across the ice.

A famous photograph by Ray Lussier shows Orr flying through the air. His arms are raised in victory. He had been tripped by Blues' defenceman Noel Picard after scoring. This picture is one of the most famous hockey images ever. It is even shown in the opening of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Hockey Night in Canada telecasts.

1970–71: More Records

The next season, the Bruins broke many offensive records. Orr finished second in league scoring with 139 points. He had 37 goals and 102 assists. He set records that still stand for points in a season by a defenceman. He also set a record for plus-minus (+124). Orr's 102 assists set a league record. This record was not broken until Wayne Gretzky had 109 in 1980–81. The Bruins were expected to win the Cup again. But they were upset by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 1971 playoffs.

1971–72: Second Stanley Cup

Orr signed a new five-year contract on August 26, 1971. It was for US$200,000 per season. This was the NHL's first million-dollar contract. In the 1971–72 season, Orr was again second in scoring to Esposito. He had 117 points. He won the Hart and Norris trophies again. He helped the Bruins finish first. In the 1972 playoffs, Orr led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup. He led the playoffs in scoring with 24 points. He scored the winning goal against New York. He received his second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. This made him the first player to win it twice. Orr also won the MVP award at the 1972 NHL All-Star Game. He won three MVP awards in one season.

By this time, Orr knew his left knee was getting worse. He knew he would not have many seasons left.

1972–73: Team Changes

The 1972–73 season saw many changes for the Bruins. Former head coach Harry Sinden returned as general manager. Some Bruins players left to join a new league, the World Hockey Association. The team's owners, the Adams family, sold the team. The Bruins lost in the first round of the 1973 playoffs. Orr had 101 points in the regular season. But he only played 63 games due to injury.

1973–74: Another Final Appearance

In 1973–74, Orr led the Bruins to another first-place finish. His point total went up to 122. He had 32 goals and 90 assists. That season, Orr set a record for most points in a game by a defenceman. He scored 3 goals and 4 assists in a game against the New York Rangers.

The Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup final. But they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. In Game 1, Orr blocked a shot with his leg. Then he took the puck up the ice and scored. This gave the Bruins a 3–2 win. In Game 5, Orr helped the Bruins win 5–1. In the final Game 6, Orr was in the penalty box. The Flyers scored the Cup-winning goal during that power play.

1974–75: Last Full Season

In the 1974–75 season, Orr broke his own record for goals by a defenceman. He scored 46 goals. He also had 89 assists. This was his sixth straight season with over 100 points. His record for goals by a defenceman stood until 1985–86. He won the league scoring title and the Art Ross Trophy for the second time. This was his last full season. The Bruins lost in the first round of the 1975 playoffs.

1975–76: Final Bruins Season

The 1975–76 season was Orr's last with the Bruins. It was a difficult time. Orr's contract was ending. The Bruins were sold to new owners. They promised to keep Orr. The Bruins and Orr had a verbal agreement. But Orr had another surgery on his knee. Doctors told the Bruins that Orr could not play much longer. Orr returned to play ten games. But he had to stop due to pain. He had another surgery. His season was over. He would not play for the Bruins again.

During his Bruins career, Orr was very shy. He often hid from the press. He wanted his teammates to get attention. He did not write a book about himself until 2013. He preferred not to be the center of attention.

Free Agency and Chicago

In 1976, the Bruins offered Orr a new contract. But it depended on him passing a physical exam each year. Only the first year's money was guaranteed. Orr's agent, Alan Eagleson, turned down the offer. On June 8, 1976, Orr signed with the Chicago Black Hawks. The Bruins' general manager, Harry Sinden, was upset. He thought the Black Hawks had tried to get Orr before he was a free agent.

Former Bruins coach Don Cherry said Orr trusted Eagleson completely. Cherry believed Eagleson did not tell Orr all the details of Boston's offer. Orr later stopped working with Eagleson in 1980. Orr's contract with Chicago was for US$3 million over five years. It was set up to be paid over 30 years to save on taxes. Orr never cashed a Chicago paycheck while he was a player. He said he was paid to play hockey and would not take a salary if he was not playing.

1976 Canada Cup

After signing with Chicago, Orr got permission to play for Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup tournament. Orr had missed the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union due to knee surgery. He really wanted to play for Canada. Some people thought playing in the Canada Cup was a bad idea for his knee. But Orr said he knew his career was almost over anyway. He said he "wouldn't have traded it for anything."

Despite his knee, Orr played amazingly in the Canada Cup. He was named to the tournament All-Star team. He was also named the overall MVP. Teammate Bobby Clarke said Orr "would hardly be able to walk on the morning of the game... and then, at night, he would be the best player on one of the greatest teams ever assembled." Another teammate, Darryl Sittler, said, "Bobby Orr was better on one leg, than anybody else was on two."

Retirement

Orr (right) with Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn circa 1984–1987

Orr signed with Chicago, but his injuries limited him to only 26 games over the next three seasons. He sat out the entire 1977–78 season. By 1978, Orr had undergone many knee surgeries. He had trouble walking and could barely skate. But in the summer of 1978, he tried to make a comeback. He played six games of the 1978–79 season. He then realized he could no longer play. He told the Black Hawks he was retiring. He scored his last NHL goal and point on October 28, 1978.

Orr retired having scored 270 goals and 645 assists for 915 points in 657 games. He also had 953 penalty minutes. When he retired, he was the leading defenceman in league history for goals, assists, and points. He was tenth overall in assists and 19th in points. As of 2018, only three retired players have averaged more points per game than Orr. They are Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Bossy, all forwards. Gordie Howe said, "Losing Bobby was the greatest blow the National Hockey League has ever suffered."

The Hockey Hall of Fame did not make Orr wait the usual three years for induction. He was put into the Hall at age 31. This made him the youngest player inducted at that time. His number 4 jersey was retired by the Bruins on January 9, 1979. At the ceremony, the crowd would not stop applauding. They cheered so much that most of the program had to be canceled. The crowd did not let Orr give his thank you speech until he put on a Bruins jersey. The day was called "Bobby Orr Day" in Boston.

Style of Play

When Orr and the Bruins visited cities, games were usually sold out. According to Bruins general manager Harry Sinden, "Bobby became a star in the NHL about the time they played the National Anthem for his first game with us." Columnist Dan Shaughnessy wrote that during the "Orr years," the Bruins were the most popular team in Boston.

Orr changed the game of hockey with his two-way play. His offensive style has influenced many defencemen who came after him. Unlike other defencemen of his time, Orr was known for his smooth skating and rushing from one end of the ice to the other. Orr's rushing allowed him to be where the puck was. This helped him score and defend. According to Phil Esposito, "No matter how fast an opponent was, Bobby could skate faster than him." Orr also played most of his career in Boston Garden. This rink was smaller than others, which suited his rushing style.

Orr's style of play was tough on his left knee. This led to many injuries and surgeries. His left knee took all the hits. Orr said it was operated on "13 or 14" times. Orr was a left-hand shot who played the right side. He would skate down the right wing with the puck. He would try to beat defencemen using his speed and strength. He protected the puck with his left knee and arm. This often put him in a position where hits would land on his left knee. He also often crashed into goalies, the net, or the boards. "It was the way I played," Orr said. "I liked to carry the puck and if you do that, you're going to get hit."

His right knee was mostly fine. But his left knee looks like "a road map of downtown Boston." Orr's left knee was even used in a MasterCard commercial in 2008. His scar lines were animated to show his achievements. In 2009, an article said Orr had two knee replacement surgeries. Now he is pain-free.

Orr also had a very accurate shot. Goaltender Bernie Parent said, "If his shot is on net, it's a goal." Orr used very little tape on his stick. In his book, Orr: My Story, he said he liked the feel of the puck without tape. So he used as little as possible. Eventually, he used no tape at all.

Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden described Orr's impact. He said when Orr started to move, all the Canadiens would panic. "It felt like a five-player stampede moving toward you—and at his pace." Dryden said Orr pushed his teammates to be better.

Philadelphia Flyers' coach Fred Shero said after the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals, "They had Orr and he can do an awful lot. But we've got 17 good hockey players and every one of them put out. It was 17 against one." Shero had his forwards block Orr's path.

Orr was also known for being tough. Former coach Don Cherry told a story about Orr attacking a player who was laughing at the Bruins. Cherry said Orr fought a lot. Orr was often compared to Brad Park. Park played a similar style and later became Boston's top defenceman. The two often fought on the ice. This fueled the rivalry between the Bruins and New York Rangers. Park said he was not upset about being rated second to Orr. He said Orr was the best player ever.

Life After Hockey

After Orr retired, it was found that he had financial difficulties. He later ended his relationship with his agent, Alan Eagleson, in 1980. Orr helped with investigations that led to Eagleson being found guilty of financial misconduct. Orr also supported a lawsuit by retired NHL players against the NHL. This lawsuit was about the players' pension fund. The players won the lawsuit in 1994.

Orr briefly worked as an assistant coach for Chicago. He also was a consultant for the NHL. The Black Hawks did not want to pay him the rest of his contract. Orr took them to court. They settled in 1983. Orr moved back to Boston. He formed a company called Can-Am Enterprises. This company helped Orr get endorsement deals. Orr eventually got his finances back in order.

Orr became an agent for hockey players in 1996. He bought the Woolf Associates agency. He became a certified agent. His agency, Orr Hockey Group, represents many NHL players. These include Jeff Carter, Taylor Hall, Connor McDavid, and the Staal brothers. Players like Jason Spezza say Orr is a great agent.

For many years, Orr coached a team of top junior players. They played against a team coached by Don Cherry in the annual CHL Top Prospects Game. Cherry thinks Orr is the greatest hockey player ever. He says Orr was a complete player who could skate, score, fight, and defend. Orr's teams won most of these games. He stopped coaching for a while but later returned. He stepped down again in 2011 for the birth of his second grandchild. One of the teams is still named 'Team Orr.'

Orr prepares for the ceremonial puck drop with Bobby Clarke prior to the 2010 NHL Winter Classic

Since retiring, Orr has done many ceremonial first puck drops for the Bruins. This includes at the 2010 NHL Winter Classic. He also dropped the puck at the Bruins' first home game in 2016.

On November 3, 2013, Orr's autobiography, Orr: My Story, was released. It became a best-seller.

Personal Life

Orr met Margaret Louise "Peggy" Wood while on vacation. She was a speech therapist. They got engaged on Christmas Day, 1972. They married in September 1973 in Parry Sound. They have two sons, Darren and Brent. Darren works as a player's agent at Orr Hockey Group. Orr's mother, Arva, died in 2000. His father, Doug, died in 2007. Orr became a grandfather in 2009. His second grandchild was born in 2011.

Orr is known for being very loyal to former teammates. When Derek Sanderson had problems, Orr spent his own money to help him. Years later, Orr and Sanderson worked together. Orr also took a former teammate, John Forristall, into his home when he was sick. Forristall lived with Orr for a year until he passed away.

Orr is also known for his charity work. He often kept it out of the news. A writer once saw Orr visit Boston Children's Hospital. Orr went room to room, surprising the kids. He talked and joked with them. He gave them gifts and signed autographs. Orr made the writer promise not to print anything about it. In 1980, Orr received an award for his "numerous and unselfish contributions to society."

Orr loves fishing. He has enjoyed it since he was a child. He is also good at solving jigsaw puzzles quickly. Orr is known for his good taste in clothes. When he lived with Forristall, Orr kept a clean apartment. He did not drink, smoke, or go to nightclubs. Orr always had a clean image.

In October 2020, Orr received some criticism. He took out a full-page ad in a newspaper. In it, he praised Donald Trump and asked American voters to re-elect him.

Honors and Achievements

In 1970, Orr received the Golden Plate Award. In 1979, Orr was made an officer in the Order of Canada. Two buildings in his hometown of Parry Sound are named after him. One is the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. The other is the Bobby Orr Community Centre. In 1995, Bobby Orr was put into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Orr has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. In 2004, an elementary school in Oshawa was named after him. On November 27, 2008, the Oshawa Generals retired Orr's number 2 jersey. Orr thanked everyone who helped him in Oshawa. In February 2010, Orr was one of eight people to carry the Olympic flag. This was at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Orr (centre, back), one of eight Canadians to carry the Olympic flag during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics opening ceremonies

A bronze statue of Orr stands next to Boston's TD Garden. This is the Bruins' home arena. It was unveiled on May 10, 2010. This was the 40th anniversary of the Bruins' first Stanley Cup win with Orr. The statue shows him right after scoring the winning goal. Orr said he was honored by the statue. In 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Career Achievements

Even though Orr played only twelve seasons and 657 games, he achieved many records. Many of these records still stand today.

As of the end of the 2018–19 season:

• First and only defenceman to score nine hat tricks.
• Only defenceman to win the Lester B. Pearson Award.
• Only player ever to win four major NHL awards in one season (Hart, Norris, Art Ross, and Conn Smythe in 1969–70).
• Only defenceman to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer (1969–70, 1974–75).
• First defenceman to score 30 goals (1969–70) and 40 goals (1974–75) in a season.
• First player to record 100 assists in a season (1970–71).
• Highest single season plus-minus rating, +124 in 1970–71.
  • Second all-time in career plus-minus rating (+597). He was the overall leader when he retired.
  • Never finished a full season less than +30 since +/- became a statistic (starting in the 1968–69 season).
• Fourth in league history in career point-per-game average (1.393). This is the highest among defencemen with at least 500 career points.
• Sixty-sixth overall in league history in career assists. He is tied for 109th in career points.

Awards

• OHA first All-Star team – 1964, 1965, 1966
• Awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) in 1967. He was the youngest ever to win this award.
• Named to the NHL second All-Star team in 1967.
• Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975.
• Named to the NHL first All-Star team in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975.
• Won the James Norris Trophy in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975.
• NHL Plus/Minus leader in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, and 1975. This is the most in history.
• Won the Art Ross Trophy in 1970 and 1975.
• Won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1970, 1971, 1972.
• Awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1970 and 1972. He was the first two-time winner of this playoff MVP award.
• Stanley Cup champion in 1970 and 1972.
• Won Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year in 1970.
• Received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award in 1970.
• NHL All-Star Game MVP in 1972.
• Voted the greatest athlete in Boston history in a 1975 poll.
• Awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1975.
• Named the Canada Cup Tournament MVP in 1976.
• Awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1979.
• His #4 Jersey was retired by the Boston Bruins on January 9, 1979.

Skates used by Orr during the 1970s, at the Orr exhibit of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Orr was inducted into the Hall in 1979.

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979. The usual three-year waiting period was waived. He was the youngest inductee at 31 years old.
• Voted the second greatest hockey player of all time in 1997 by The Hockey News.
• Ranked 31st in ESPN's SportsCentury: 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century in 1999.
• Named the top defenceman of all time in 2010 by The Hockey News.
• In 2017, Orr was named by the National Hockey League as one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.

Records

• Most 100-point seasons by a defenceman (6, from 1969–70 to 1974–75).
• The only player to win four major NHL awards in one season (Hart, Norris, Art Ross, and Conn Smythe in 1970). He is also the only player to win the Norris and Art Ross in the same season.
• Fastest goal from the start of overtime to clinch the Stanley Cup (0:40; 1970, Game 4).
• Most points in one NHL season by a defenceman (139; 1970–71).
• Most assists in one NHL season by a defenceman (102; 1970–71).
• Highest plus/minus in one NHL season (+124; 1970–71).
• Most assists in one NHL game by a defenceman (6; tied with others).

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

• Bold indicates led league

International Play

• Was named to Canada's 1972 Summit Series team, but did not play due to injuries.
• Played for Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup.

International statistics

Images for kids

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  Orr (centre, background), stands next to Derek Sanderson, and Ken Hodge while listening to Johnny Bucyk's speech. Orr has maintained relations with several former teammates from his career.