Keith David Primeau (born November 24, 1971) is a Canadian businessman and ice hockey coach. He is a former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Detroit Red Wings , Hartford Whalers , Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers .
164-638: He was recently the special assistant to the general manager and director of player development of the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL , now currently an assistant hockey coach at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School , the coach of Revolution in the Revolution Ice gardens, and the owner of a franchise of Bain's Deli in Philadelphia . He is the older brother of Wayne Primeau . Primeau was drafted third overall in
328-471: A give-and-go pass with teammate Derek Sanderson at the 40-second mark of the first overtime period in the fourth game, helping to complete a sweep of the St. Louis Blues . According to Orr: If it had gone by me, it's a two-on-one, so I got a little lucky there, but Derek gave me a great pass and when I got the pass I was moving across. As I skated across, Glenn had to move across the crease and had to open his pads
492-453: A "very private, very shy guy, who just happened to be the best hockey player in the world." According to the Bruins public relations director Nate Greenberg "one of my toughest jobs in the day was trying to get Orr to come out of the trainer's room to talk to the press. The reason he wouldn't or didn't all the time was that he really wanted his teammates to get proper accolades, while everybody, all
656-600: A 2000 second-round draft pick ( Agris Saviels ) on January 23, 2000. On May 5, 2000, Primeau scored the game-winning goal in the longest game in modern NHL playoff history (five overtime periods for a total of 152 minutes and one second) against Ron Tugnutt of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Only two games, in 1933 and 1936 , were longer. In his first full season with
820-569: A brawl after the score reached 10–0 for the Bruins. The Bruins went on to sweep the Maple Leafs before losing in six games to the Montreal Canadiens in the second round. Orr returned for the third game against Toronto, getting two assists as the Bruins won their first games in Toronto since 1965. In 1969–70 , Orr almost doubled his scoring total from the previous season, to 120 points, six shy of
984-507: A brawl that would involve nine players. During the melee, Peter Ferraro received a game misconduct penalty for spearing , as did Las Vegas' Tim Spencer for kicking. In the aftermath, the Aces were given a five-minute 5-on-3 power play in which they scored three times before the teams were at even strength. A few days after the game, the ECHL suspended Peter Ferraro for the rest of the regular season and
1148-570: A brother). Cherry recalled Orr had refused to speak with the Bruins team president directly, allowing Eagleson to mislead or withhold enough details from Boston's offer. Orr's departure from the Bruins was acrimonious and he has not held an official role with the Bruins since. Years later, it emerged that Eagleson had very good relations with Black Hawks owner Bill Wirtz and NHL president John Ziegler that colluded to hold back salaries of certain players. Orr disassociated himself from Eagleson in 1980. Orr's contract with Chicago, five years in length,
1312-410: A defenceman and for plus-minus (+124) by any position player. Orr's 102 assists set a league record that would not be broken until Wayne Gretzky totalled 109 in 1980–81. Orr's Bruins were heavy favourites to repeat as Cup champions, but were upset by the Montreal Canadiens and their rookie goaltender Ken Dryden , at one time Bruins' property, in the first round of the 1971 playoffs . For the season,
1476-639: A defenceman stood until Paul Coffey totalled 48 in 1985–86. He won the league scoring title and the Art Ross Trophy for the second time. 1974–75 was his last full season and his last season playing with Esposito. The Bruins placed second in the Adams Division, and lost to the Chicago Black Hawks in the first round of the 1975 playoffs , losing the best-of-three series, two games to one. With this season, he had tallied 100 points in six straight seasons,
1640-478: A game against Detroit after his left knee went stiff. He would receive the first of his many operations on the knee, repairing ligament and removing cartilage . Orr did return to finish the season, but required an operation during the off-season to remove a bone chip . Despite the injuries, Orr won the first of a record eight consecutive Norris trophies and was named to the NHL's first All-Star team and finished fourth in
1804-537: A hockey weekend. The rivalry has known to become quite violent as the case of a game in March 2009. During the second period of Aces-Wranglers game on March 25, 2009, in Las Vegas, when Alaska's Matt Stefanishion collided with Las Vegas' Chris Ferraro , breaking Ferraro's leg and effectively ending his season and career. Ferraro's twin brother, Peter became enraged and started a brawl that would involve nine players. During
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#17328520664811968-610: A home game in regulation until a 1–0 loss to the San Diego Gulls on December 27, 2003, going 13–1–1 at home over the stretch. The Wranglers finished their first season with a record of 43–22–7 (93 points), second in the Western Conference's Pacific Division (15 points behind Brabham Cup winner San Diego). The Wranglers faced the Idaho Steelheads in the best-of-five Pacific Division Semifinals and despite overtaking Idaho in
2132-432: A little. I was really trying to get the puck on net, and I did. As I went across, Glenn's legs opened. I looked back, and I saw it go in, so I jumped. The subsequent photograph by Ray Lussier of a horizontal Orr flying through the air, his arms raised in victory – he had been tripped by Blues' defenceman Noel Picard after scoring the goal – has become one of the most famous and recognized hockey images of all time—and today
2296-435: A more aggressive image that led to the nickname of the 'Big Bad Bruins.' The Bruins, happy to make the playoffs, were swept by eventual champion Montreal in the first round. In 1968–69 , Orr skipped the pre-season to rest the knee but was in uniform for the season's start. He required an ice pack on the knee after every game and missed nine games after he caught a skate in a crack in the ice, twisting his knee. He returned to
2460-577: A multiple skirmishes after each incident. The Las Vegas Wranglers had many other significant rivalries which include those with the Bakersfield Condors , Fresno Falcons , Idaho Steelheads , Long Beach Ice Dogs , Ontario Reign , Phoenix RoadRunners , San Diego Gulls , Stockton Thunder , Toledo Storm . and Utah Grizzlies . The rivalries with the Condors and the Thunder started off very softly during
2624-583: A new point-scoring record for one season for a defenceman. He again won the Norris Trophy while nabbing a First-Team All-Star selection and finishing third in the Hart Trophy balloting. Orr feuded with Toronto rookie defenceman Pat Quinn that season. In a late-season game, Orr attempted to knock the puck loose from Maple Leafs goaltender Bruce Gamble and Quinn cross-checked Orr to the ice. Orr kicked Quinn and Quinn kicked Orr. On-ice officials broke it up, but
2788-454: A new role as an assistant to Chicago general manager Bob Pulford . He scored his last NHL goal and point against Detroit on October 28, 1978, at Detroit's Olympia Stadium . Orr retired having scored 270 goals and 645 assists for 915 points in 657 games, adding 953 penalty minutes. At the time of his retirement, he was the leading defenceman in league history in goals, assists and points, tenth overall in assists and 19th in points. As of 2018 ,
2952-703: A planned merger between the WCHL and the East Coast Hockey League was announced that would have the WCHL's six active franchises and three expansion franchises (including the Wranglers) join the ECHL for the 2003–04 season. On May 29, 2003, in place of owner Charles Davenport, IV, actor Ricky Schroder introduced former Fresno Falcons player/coach Glen Gulutzan as the franchise's first head coach and general manager. Within four months, Gulutzan came to terms with Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter to make
3116-530: A player's skating ability. To promote the event, held in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens , the Generals had advertised it would be the last chance to see Orr in junior and were anxious for him to play. Bruins' management demanded Orr not play in the Final, not wanting to risk further damage to their property. Orr and his parents, however, were adamant he be allowed to play for the national championship. As he had not signed to
3280-437: A record for any player of any position, forward, or defencemen (since broken), although his teammate Esposito that season also achieved his sixth (and last) 100-point season, although only five of those were consecutive. In fact, there are only nine other seasons in history of defencemen scoring 100 points or more (Paul Coffey with five, Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch, and Erik Karlsson with one each). The 1975–76 season
3444-639: A resident of Voorhees Township, New Jersey . Primeau, along with his brother, Wayne, and Las Vegas Wranglers general manager Ryan Mougenel, own and operate the Toronto-based Durham Hockey Institute. The three of them are also part-owners of the Whitby Fury , a team in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). Keith's son Cayden played his college hockey at Northeastern University, before signing his entry-level contract with
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#17328520664813608-471: A salary "less than $ 100,000" for the two years, a figure kept secret. Speculation has ranged on an annual salary of US$ 25,000 to US$ 40,000 (US$ 234,769 to US$ 422,585 in 2023 dollars ) at a time when the typical maximum rookie salary was US$ 9,000. (US$ 75,126 in 2023 dollars ) The official signing ceremony was done on Emms' boat, the Barbara Lynn , where Eagleson and Emms had conferred during negotiations. At
3772-405: A shield with a goalie mask over his face. The cowboy hat is black and gray, with the mask white and gray and the shield in two shades of red and outlined in black. Beneath the cowboy is a red eight-pointed star, and on either side of him is a white "LV" and "NV," representing the city and state's abbreviation. The Wranglers' final colors were black, red, white and silver and could be seen on both
3936-452: A slapshot past goaltender Bernie Parent with a little over a minute remaining in regulation time to propel the Bruins to a 3–2 win. In game five, Orr assisted on Boston's first goal with shorthanded rush, and scored the next two goals himself as the Bruins won 5–1. In the deciding game six, Orr was in the penalty box after a scuffle with the Flyers' Bobby Clarke and during the ensuing power play
4100-571: A star in the NHL about the time they played the National Anthem for his first game with us". Columnist Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe wrote that during the "Orr years. Those Bruins were the top draw in our town every day for five seasons. They were bigger than the Red Sox or Celtics". Orr inspired the game of hockey with his command of the two-way game. Orr's offensive style has influenced countless defencemen who followed him. In contrast to
4264-583: A surprise selection to the 2004 NHL All-Star Game , the second of his career. In the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs , Primeau recorded nine goals and seven assists for a total of 16 points; it was the best playoff year of Primeau's career and his play carried the team to within a game of the Stanley Cup finals. In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals , against the Tampa Bay Lightning , Primeau scored
4428-406: A three-hour trip one way. The bonus for signing was CA$ 10,000 (CA$ 98,805 in 2023 dollars ), a new car and the Bruins would pay to stucco the family home. Orr debuted in junior hockey in the 1962–63 season for the new Generals in the new Metro Junior A League . Orr was only fourteen, competing against eighteen-, nineteen- and twenty-year-olds. The 1963–64 season brought further changes as
4592-540: A year. In addition, Orr was to receive US$ 925,000 in cash payable in June 1980. That was to be a cash payment or involve Orr's receiving 18.6 per cent of the Bruins stock." According to a famous 1990 story in the Toronto Star by Ellie Tesher, Orr stated that Eagleson never told him of the offer, during negotiations or after. While Eagleson had spoken publicly to reporters of the offer, he had not discussed it with Orr. In 1976,
4756-452: Is also active in charitable works and in television commercials. Since 1996, Orr has coached a team of junior hockey players in the annual CHL Top Prospects Game . Orr was born in the town of Parry Sound on the shores of Georgian Bay in Ontario , Canada. His grandfather, Robert Orr, was a top-tier soccer pro player who emigrated from Ballymena , Northern Ireland to Parry Sound early in
4920-527: Is highlighted in the opening sequence of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 's Hockey Night in Canada telecasts. The following season , the powerhouse Bruins shattered dozens of league offensive records. Orr himself finished second in league scoring with 139 points (37 goals and 102 assists), thirteen points behind Esposito, while setting records that still stand for points in a season by
5084-524: Is in white with silver accents. Prior to the WCHL-ECHL merger, the Wranglers logo was an outline of a cowboy's face streaking to the left with a black cowboy hat and red and yellow outlines. A script underneath the logo featured "Las Vegas" in black above "Wranglers" in yellow with a red outline. On July 5, 2012, the Wranglers unveiled their new identity package; the primary logo featured a cowboy's head inside
Keith Primeau - Misplaced Pages Continue
5248-662: The 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union , and he wanted badly to play for Canada. Orr had been unable to play in the Summit Series due to knee surgery, although he did participate as a non-player. Orr's participation in the Canada Cup was considered ill-conceived and Eagleson later thought it may have been the 'last straw' that killed his career. Orr himself said that he knew before the tournament that "I knew I didn't have much longer. That series didn't do it. I thought I could get
5412-681: The 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings after playing two years with the Niagara Falls Thunder of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He split his first two professional seasons with Detroit and their then- American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings . He set career highs in assists (42), points (73) and plus/minus (+34) in 1993–94 . He made his only Stanley Cup Finals appearance while with
5576-463: The 2005–06 season , Primeau suffered a concussion which ended his season. As a result of ongoing post-concussion syndrome , he officially announced his retirement on September 14, 2006. On February 12, 2007, the Flyers honoured Primeau before a game against the Detroit Red Wings, the team which originally drafted him. An emotional Primeau thanked the fans for welcoming him back. Primeau has been
5740-490: The 2011–12 ECHL season . In December 2013, The Orleans Hotel and Casino notified the team that it would not renew their lease for the following season. This prompted the franchise to search for a new venue in the Las Vegas area. The team announced plans to move to a newly built 3,500-seat facility at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. However, on May 7, 2014, the team announced that they would not move to
5904-524: The 2012 NHL lockout forced the NHL Winter Classic to be cancelled that year, the Wranglers held an "Indoor Winter Classic", that even gave a trophy with a chain and a padlock. The Wranglers' first logo featured a cowboy riding a bull and holding a hockey stick with Las Vegas Wranglers script below the bull. The cowboy and bull are both black and white and are outlined in silver. The script consists of "Las Vegas" in silver cursive, while "Wranglers"
6068-644: The 2013–14 season . The Wranglers had been the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames since the team's inaugural season in 2003 until 2009 before announcing that they were switching their affiliation to the Phoenix Coyotes for the 2009–10 ECHL season . The Wranglers garnered many accolades from the local media, including the Las Vegas Review-Journal naming the Wranglers "Best Local Sports Team" three times (2005, 2006, 2009) and head coach Glen Gulutzan "Best Local Coach" (2007, 2009). With
6232-483: The Conn Smythe Trophy for his playoff performance, becoming the only player in history to win four major NHL awards in one season. Orr went on to lead the Bruins in a march through the 1970 playoffs scoring nine goals and 11 assists. The march culminated on May 10, 1970, when he scored one of the most famous goals in hockey history and one that gave Boston its first Stanley Cup since 1941. The goal came off
6396-722: The Kelly Cup Finals, in 2008 and 2012 and won the Brabham Cup once and the Pacific Division title twice. Former Wranglers who have reached the National Hockey League (NHL) include Brent Krahn , Adam Pardy , Dany Sabourin , Tyson Strachan , and Tyler Sloan . From 2003 to 2014, the Wranglers played their home games on the west side of the city at the Orleans Arena . The team's lease with Orleans Arena ended after
6560-659: The Las Vegas Thunder and the Utah Grizzlies in the International Hockey League and came to its highest point during 1996 IHL Western Conference Finals. The rivalry with Long Beach, Phoenix and San Diego also came when the cities had members in the IHL and made numerous playoff appearances against each other. The Wranglers had numerous songs that represent the team during pre-game introductions. Songs that represented
6724-528: The Las Vegas Thunder of the International Hockey League folding following the 1998–99 IHL season, the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) announced its intentions to keep ice hockey in the Las Vegas Valley when they granted expansion rights to the city in 1999, with plans for the team to start competing in the 2000–01 WCHL season. The Wranglers team name and logo were announced shortly before what
Keith Primeau - Misplaced Pages Continue
6888-649: The Long Beach Ice Dogs at Long Beach Arena . Three days later the Wranglers clinched the Brabham Cup title when they defeated the Stockton Thunder 2–1 in the last game of the season, just edging out heated rival, the Alaska Aces by one-point, reminiscent of the Brabham Cup race the two teams had just one year before. The Wranglers finished the 2006–07 regular season with a 46–12–14 record (106 points) and set
7052-700: The Montreal Junior Canadiens and the Kitchener Rangers . The team defeated the Northern Ontario champions North Bay Trappers and the Quebec champions Shawinigan Bruins to win a berth in the Memorial Cup Final for the junior championship of Canada. Oshawa's hopes in the 1966 Memorial Cup Final were damaged when Orr suffered a groin injury against Shawinigan, a painful injury that weakens
7216-723: The 20th century. Orr's father, Doug Orr, had once been a hockey prospect and was invited to join the Atlantic City Seagulls in 1942 but turned down the offer. Doug Orr instead joined the Royal Canadian Navy , serving during the Second World War . He returned after the war to Parry Sound and Arva Steele, whom he had married before he left for war, and to a job in the CIL dynamite factory. Doug and Arva had five children together: Patricia, Ronnie, Bobby, Penny, and Doug Jr. Bobby
7380-677: The 8th-seeded Phoenix RoadRunners in the National Conference quarterfinals. The Wranglers swept the 'Runners in four games and take on the Idaho Steelheads in the National Conference semifinals. The Wranglers won game one of the series to extend their league record winning streak to 18 games, tying the 1991 Peoria Rivermen of the International Hockey League for the longest winning streak in professional hockey history. The streak ended in game two and Idaho eventually took
7544-590: The Black Hawks, and demanded that Chicago owner Bill Wirtz submit to a lie detector test. According to documents held by Orr, they had a valid case. Orr signed with the Black Hawks at a secret meeting in May 1976, prior to becoming a free agent. Then-Bruins head coach Don Cherry suggested that the reason Orr never re-signed with the Bruins was Orr's complete trust in Eagleson at the time (Orr said that he described Eagleson as
7708-423: The Bruins after his playing days were over. The agreement was to be checked out as to whether it would be legal for tax reasons and whether or not the league would approve it. Before the season started, however, Orr underwent another surgical procedure on September 20, 1975. The Bruins' contract talks with Orr and Eagleson became difficult. The Bruins' insurer would not insure a contract with Orr and doctors advised
7872-439: The Bruins gave Orr a solid gold puck, one of four they gave out to Bruins players – to each of the four Bruins who scored over 100 points that season – Esposito, Orr, Johnny Bucyk and Ken Hodge . Orr later gave his puck to Alan Eagleson. In 2007, Eagleson sold the puck in an auction of memorabilia for CA$ 16,500 . Orr signed a new five-year contract on August 26, 1971, for US$ 200,000 (US$ 1,504,684 in 2023 dollars ) per season –
8036-529: The Bruins in June 1980. Eagleson turned down the offer and on June 7, 1976, was quoted in the Toronto Star as saying "Boston offered a five-year deal at US$ 925,000 or 18.6 per cent ownership of the club in 1980. I didn't think it would be wise for him to be a player-owner." On June 9, 1976, after Orr had signed with Chicago, Eagleson told The Globe and Mail that the Bruin offer was "a five-year offer for US$ 295,000
8200-410: The Bruins offered Orr US$ 600,000 (US$ 3,212,632 in 2023 dollars ) per season, but he would have to pass a physical examination at the start of each season's training camp. Only the first year's money was guaranteed. Eagleson was quoted at the time as saying, "There is only one way that Bobby Orr will ever be back with the Bruins, and that's if Jeremy Jacobs asks him for another meeting and straightens out
8364-403: The Bruins offered him jersey number 5, that of past Bruins star Dit Clapper , prior to the regular season, but Orr instead chose jersey number 4, which had been vacated by veteran defenceman Albert Langlois . Orr made his NHL regular-season debut on October 19, 1966, against the Detroit Red Wings, getting one assist. On October 22, he scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens. It
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#17328520664818528-553: The Bruins that Orr would not be able to play much longer. Orr returned to the line-up on November 8, 1975, the day after the Bruins traded Esposito to the New York Rangers. Orr was able to play the next ten games for the team but had to stop on November 28 due to pain in his knee. The next day, he underwent another surgical procedure on his knee. Originally expected to only be out for seven to eight weeks, his knee did not respond to therapy and he returned home to Parry Sound. His season
8692-473: The Bruins would lose six of them. The team finished with a 17–43–10 record, leaving the Bruins in last place. However, attendance at Boston Garden increased by forty-one thousand fans. For the season, Orr scored 13 goals and 28 assists , one of the best rookie seasons in NHL history to that point by a defenceman. Orr won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's outstanding rookie and was named to
8856-448: The Bruins, they threatened he would never play for Boston if he was held out. Blair decided to defy the Bruins' ownership and let Orr play. While Orr dressed and played some, he was not a factor and Edmonton defeated Oshawa for the Cup. Oshawa coach Bep Guidolin was fired for letting Orr play, while Blair left the organization of his own accord to join the expansion Minnesota North Stars . By
9020-521: The ECHL Board of Governors gave unanimous approval for the transfer of ownership from Fleisig to Wranglers Hockey LLC led by Gary Jacobs, a real estate developer from San Diego who is also managing owner of the Lake Elsinore Storm minor league baseball team. Mougenel announced in late September 2011 that the Wranglers would play as an independent team (i.e., unaffiliated with any NHL/AHL teams) for
9184-459: The ECHL's history were able to do, winning the best-of-seven series after trailing 3–1. The Wranglers faced the Alaska Aces in the West Division finals, ultimately falling in six games. Seeking to improve on a great year, the Wranglers were placed in the National Conference's Pacific Division following a league wide realignment. The Wranglers had their best chance to capture their first banner as they did not have to compete with Alaska or Idaho for
9348-476: The ECHL's takeover of the West Coast Hockey League . In May 2014, the team suspended operations for the 2014–15 ECHL season , allowing it time to secure a new home arena. In 2015, the team withdrew from the ECHL after being unable to find a home arena for the 2015-16 season. The Wranglers won many accolades over their time in the league. They have the highest winning percentage in ECHL history and hold six other ECHL records. The Wranglers made two appearances in
9512-662: The Family Band and The Pretender by the Foo Fighters as their theme song. For the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs , the Wranglers used Give It All by Rise Against . The Wranglers last used Redlight King " Born to Rise " before folding. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL=Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed ECHL regular season. Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game Many former Wranglers have either played in
9676-481: The Flyers scored (which turned out to be the Cup-winning goal), but with 4 seconds left and the Bruins trailing 1-0 Orr took a face-off and sent a desperation length of the ice shot that went just wide of the Flyers' net (goaltender Parent admitted "If his shot is on net, it's a goal"). In the 1974–75 season , Orr broke his own previous record for goals by a defenceman, scoring 46 goals to go with 89 assists for his sixth straight 100-point season. His record for goals by
9840-515: The Flyers' tryout camp. When camp ended and it came time to sign with the Bruins, a meeting with Bruins' owner Weston Adams went sour and Orr headed back to Parry Sound. Blair was able to smooth over the situation and convince Arva that Bobby was old enough to leave home. To get the Orrs' signatures on a "C" Form , committing Bobby to the Bruins at age eighteen, Blair agreed to have Bobby stay in Parry Sound for his schooling, skipping Generals' practices and only driving south to play games on weekends,
10004-414: The Flyers, Primeau led the team in goals (34) and tied his career-high in points (73). Early in the following season, he was named team captain after defenceman Éric Desjardins resigned from the position. After posting nearly identical seasons statistically in 2001–02 and 2002–03 , Primeau was given the task of centering a more defense-oriented line in 2003–04 . He did well enough in his new role to earn
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#173285206648110168-411: The Kelly Cup finals. The two teams proved formidable opponents as the split the first four games, before Cincinnati stole momentum defeating the Wranglers in Las Vegas in Game 5 and ultimately taking the Kelly Cup in six games. Following their successful 2007–08 campaign, the Wranglers were forced to rebuild again as the team was only able to resign nine players from the previous team. At the beginning of
10332-407: The Metro League folded and Oshawa joined the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). Orr moved to Oshawa, where he started attending R. S. McLaughlin high school and boarded with a local family. Orr scored 29 goals to set a junior record for goals by a defenceman and was named to the OHA's first All-Star team. Orr's goal and point totals increased every year during his junior career, and he was named to
10496-441: The Montreal Canadiens after his sophomore season. Cayden was a 7th round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and started 5 games for the silver medal winning United States men's national junior ice hockey team in the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships . Primeau and his wife Lisa reside in Voorhees, New Jersey with their four children, where they have resided since his January 2000 trade to
10660-426: The NHL's Second All-Star team . New York Rangers defenceman Harry Howell won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenceman that year. In accepting the award, Howell said he was glad to win when he did, predicting "Orr will own this trophy from now on." Orr was runner-up in voting. In 1967–68 , his second season, injuries limited Orr to just 46 games in which he scored 11 goals and had 20 assists. Prior to
10824-434: 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
10988-422: The NHL's first million dollar contract. In the following 1971–72 season , Orr was again second in the scoring race to Esposito, this time with 117 points, as his goal total matched his previous years total of 37, but his assists dropped to 80. He again won the Hart and Norris trophies, helping the Bruins to a first-place finish in the East. In the 1972 playoffs , Orr again led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup, leading
11152-464: The National Conference quarterfinals in a series that was tighter than expected. Stockton had played the entire season with most of their players being called up to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL or were reassigned by Stockton's parent club, the Edmonton Oilers , and barely limped into the final playoff spot in the National Conference. At the beginning of the series most of the players that had been called up by Springfield or Edmonton were returned to
11316-411: The National Conference regular season champion Alaska Aces. Exhausted and injured from two straight seven game series, the Wranglers were unable to retain the Bruce Taylor Trophy, being swept by Alaska in four games. Following an unlikely return to the National Conference finals, the first head coach and general manager of the Las Vegas Wranglers, Glen Gulutzan , left the team to become the head coach of
11480-466: The National Conference, to finish in 2nd place in the Pacific Division. Las Vegas would fall to the Utah Grizzlies in the National Conference Quarterfinals in five games, after taking a 2 games to 1 lead, failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs since their inaugural season . In mid-April 2010, Felisig reached an agreement with an unidentified buyer who planned to keep the team in Las Vegas. ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna confirmed that
11644-445: The National Hockey League before or after their careers as Wranglers. These include Adam Cracknell (2006–08), Brent Krahn (2003–04), Chris Ferraro (2007–09), Peter Ferraro (2007–09), Adam Pardy (2005–06), Dany Sabourin (2003–04), Tyler Sloan (2005–06), Billy Tibbetts (2004–05) and Deryk Engelland (2003–05), with Engelland later playing for Las Vegas's NHL franchise . Former Wranglers that would finish their careers with
11808-520: The New York Rangers. One goal, a shot from the blue line , broke Rangers' defenceman Rod Seiling 's stick. The Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup Finals , but lost this time to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. In game one, late in the third period tied at 2–2, Orr blocked the open Boston net with his leg to keep out a Flyers' shot on goal, then took the puck up the ice and scored on
11972-516: The OHA First-All Star team every season he was in the OHA. Orr had his best season in 1965–66 , his fourth season of junior. Orr scored 38 goals to increase his goal-scoring record and finished with 94 points to average two points per game for the Generals. The Generals finished fourth in the league, but won the OHA championship, the J. Ross Robertson Cup , by defeating the St. Catharines Black Hawks ,
12136-633: The Ontario Reign. The Reign, affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings , who had a significant fan base in Las Vegas, is often considered a part of the Los Angeles sports market. In 2009, Ontario became the first team other than the Wranglers to win the Pacific Division title since Las Vegas returned to the division in 2006. The longest of the rivalries was with the Utah Grizzlies, which started between
12300-687: The Philadelphia Flyers. The family previously resided in Farmington Hills, Michigan earlier in his career. Las Vegas Wranglers The Las Vegas Wranglers were a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas Valley . The Wranglers were members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League). The Wranglers were founded as an expansion franchise in 2003 following
12464-475: The Plaza due to the idea of a rooftop arena becoming unfeasible and an alternative, building the arena in the Plaza's parking lot, being too expensive. As a result, the Wranglers requested and received a voluntary suspension of operations from the ECHL for the 2014–15 season. The team planned to seek a new permanent venue and return to play in the 2015–16 season. On January 30, 2015, it was announced via Facebook that
12628-581: The Red Wings in 1995 , losing in a sweep to the New Jersey Devils . Primeau held out after the club signed Igor Larionov and after playing for Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey , Detroit traded him (along with Paul Coffey and a 1997 first-round draft pick, ultimately used to select Nikos Tselios ) to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Brendan Shanahan and Brian Glynn a few days following
12792-563: The Wranglers inaugural season but have become more heated since the Wranglers' move into the Pacific Division during the 2006–07 season . The rivalry with Fresno came from the two teams' normal battling for position near the top of the division standings. The Wranglers and the Steelheads had a constant rivalry that has centered around the playoffs. The Wranglers had met the Steelheads in all three of their playoff appearances. The Texas Wildcatters relocated to Ontario, California , and became
12956-436: The Wranglers include Marc "Mags" Magliarditi (2003–07), Jason McBain (2003–05), and Mike McBain (2003–08). Henry Brabham Cup ECHL regular season champion Bobby Orr Robert Gordon Orr OC (born March 20, 1948) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest of all time. Orr used his skating speed, scoring, and play-making abilities to revolutionize
13120-496: The Wranglers the ECHL affiliate of the Flames and Lowell Lock Monsters . The first two players that Gulutzan signed were brothers and former NHLers Jason and Mike McBain and added veteran ECHL goaltender Marc Magliarditi shortly thereafter. Before the Wranglers inaugural season, Gulutzan named Jason McBain the franchise's first captain. The Wranglers started off their season going 9–1–3 in their first 13 games and they didn't lose
13284-532: The Wranglers were able to produce a competitive team that finished 34–31–8 (76 points; .521 win %) and mere percentage points behind division champion, Ontario . The Wranglers reached a new level of intensity in their rivalry with the Alaska Aces during the second period of their game on March 25, 2009 in Las Vegas. Alaska's Matt Stefanishion collided with Las Vegas' Chris Ferraro, breaking Ferraro's leg and effectively ending his season and possibly his career. Ferraro's twin brother, Peter became enraged and started
13448-610: The Wranglers wore a striped prison-themed jersey with their opponents, the Bakersfield Condors, wearing an orange jumpsuit and referees wearing a blue police guard uniform. The Wranglers' mascot was "The Duke", a 7-foot-3-inch (2.21 m) green bull that was based on the Philly Phanatic and was the team's mascot since its inaugural season in 2003. The Duke kept the crowd excited, signed autographs, and participated in entertainment during intermissions and player introductions at
13612-484: The Wranglers would cease operations after not being able to find a suitable home within a reasonable time frame to submit to the board of governors of the ECHL. In 2016, Las Vegas was awarded a National Hockey League franchise the Vegas Golden Knights . The Wranglers are the only team to hold a game that was played at midnight. The annual "Midnight Roundup" was created so that Las Vegas residents who work during
13776-553: The beginning of the game. The Duke is also a regular at other events around the city including races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and making appearances with players at local elementary schools. The Duke has attended three ECHL All-Star Games as the league's favorite mascot. Possibly the Wranglers' strongest rivalry was with the Alaska Aces . The Aces and Wranglers were the two winningest franchises in ECHL history and
13940-560: The ceremony, the crowd at Boston Garden would not stop applauding and as a result, most of the evening's program had to be scrapped at the last second due to the constant cheering. The crowd did not allow Orr to say his thank you speech until he put on a Bruins jersey. The day was proclaimed "Bobby Orr Day" in Boston and the event raised thousands of dollars for charity. He attended the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives and
14104-597: The chest and is trimmed with black and red on the sleeves and waist. As of the second half of the 2009–2010 season, the Las Vegas Wranglers again started wearing the Red Alternate and Black Alternate Jerseys at home. In December 2010, the team wore a Christmas-themed Santa Jersey which was featured as the number 22 worst jersey in an article in the Vancouver Sun . The team also held Rod Blagojevich Night where
14268-460: The disappointing performance of their sophomore season. The Wranglers started the season on a rocket pace losing only four games in the first three months of the season. This included the Wranglers besting their home mark to start a season, as they did not lose at home in regulation until January 3, 2006, 3–2 to the Reading Royals . Before the loss to Reading, the Wranglers had gone 12–0–2 during
14432-515: The dismissal of Gulutzan as head coach. The Wranglers finished the season a disappointing 31–33–8 (70 points) and seventh place in the West Division, failing to capture a playoff spot for the only time in franchise history. Before the 2005–06 season , Wranglers captain Jason McBain announced his retirement and the team's captaincy was given to his brother Mike as the Wranglers looked to shake off
14596-442: The division title. The Wranglers had to begin the season without veterans goaltender Marc Magliarditi and Mike McBain but still had a good start, earning points in all of their first eight games, going 3–0–5. The Wranglers relied heavily on new goaltender Mike McKenna and returning stars Shawn Limpright and Marco Peluso for leadership during the time in which the team lost its most veteran players. Magliarditi himself retired in
14760-477: The entirety of the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs for his actions during the game which included the spearing incident and was released by the team a week later. Wranglers career scoring leader, Shawn Limpright , was named the captain for the rest of the season. The Wranglers entered the playoffs at the 2nd seed in the Pacific Division and took on the 3rd seed Bakersfield Condors in the best-of-seven Pacific Division semifinals. The Wranglers and Condors traded blows in
14924-478: The executive director of the new National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and started on his rise to become one of the most powerful men in the sport and business of ice hockey. Orr joined the Bruins for the 1966–67 season , his first as a professional. The Bruins were not convinced Orr belonged on defence, trying him out at centre first. Through the pre-season, Orr was given jersey number 27. With Orr's junior number (2) retired in honour of Eddie Shore,
15088-567: The expansion Texas Stars of the AHL. For the first time in seven years, Wranglers owner Charles Davenport was forced to look for a head coach, but stated that Gulutzan's move to the AHL was "long overdue." Gulutzan had been offered assistant coaching jobs in the AHL for the past few years, but the offer to coach Texas was his first head coaching offer in the AHL. Gulutzan said he would make some recommendations to help Davenport's search. On June 25, 2009, former Stockton Thunder assistant coach, Ryan Mougenel
15252-507: The family for free and continued to do so for the next two years. Bobby and Eagleson developed a relationship Orr would later describe as being like brothers. The two soon became a team, discussing Bobby's future plans without his father Doug. Eagleson was determined to get Orr a top salary. When Hap Emms , the general manager of the Bruins offered a US$ 5,000 (US$ 46,954 in 2023 dollars ) signing bonus and US$ 7,000 and US$ 8,000 (US$ 65,735 and US$ 73,102 in 2023 dollars ) for his first two years in
15416-504: The family home. In the fall of 1961, the Bruins invested CA$ 1,000 (CA$ 10,006 in 2023 dollars ) to sponsor his minor hockey team. Although three other NHL teams ( Toronto Maple Leafs , Detroit Red Wings , and Montreal Canadiens ) were interested in Orr, he signed in 1962 with the Bruins. Orr explained that he signed with the Bruins because "they're a team of the future. They're rebuilding and I want to be part of that building program." Blair
15580-598: The favor in 2008 National Conference Semifinals by defeating the Aces in five games on way to their appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Aces and Wranglers met for the third time in the playoffs in the 2009 National Conference Finals, with the Aces sweeping the Wranglers in four games. The Aces-Wranglers rivalry quickly become one of the biggest for both teams and for the league itself. Three games were usually played in four days (usually Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), allowing for many Aces fans to come to Las Vegas for
15744-425: The feud continued into the 1969 playoffs . The Bruins finished second in the NHL's East Division and drew the Maple Leafs in the first round. In the first game, in Boston, Quinn caught Orr with his head down during a rush, and caught him with an open-ice hit, knocking Orr unconscious. Quinn, assessed five minutes for elbowing, was attacked in the penalty box by a fan and Quinn swung at the fan with his stick, breaking
15908-424: The first four games, before Bakersfield took a three-games-to-two series lead heading back for Games 6 and 7 in Las Vegas. The Wranglers outscored Bakersfield 8–2 in the last two games to take the series in seven games. The Wranglers headed to the Pacific Division finals to face the division's 4th-seed Stockton Thunder , who were coached by Gulutzan's rival Matt Thomas to an upset of division champion Ontario. As with
16072-465: The first team in ECHL history to have three consecutive seasons with at least 100 points. The Wranglers finished the season 46–13–12 (106 points), good enough for first place in the Pacific Division and the number one overall seed in the National Conference playoffs. Right Winger Peter Ferraro would set the team's single season goal mark with 36. The Wranglers would take on the Stockton Thunder in
16236-440: The first two games, the Steelheads won the remaining three games on their way to their first Kelly Cup championship. Entering the 2004–05 season , Gulutzan and the Wranglers were expected to compete again for the division crown, but instead the team suffered the worst season in franchise history. Due to the 2004-05 NHL Lockout , local media believed that the team would be stronger as many Calgary Flames players decided to play for
16400-476: The framework of a play. If he was caught up-ice and the other team had an odd-man rush, that's when you saw his truly great speed. Very seldom did he not get back to have a hand in breaking up the play." Orr also benefited from playing most of his career in Boston Garden , which was 9 feet (2.7 m) shorter than the standard NHL rink. This suited his rushing style very well, as he was able to get from one end of
16564-417: The game which included the spearing incident. The Aces-Wranglers rivalry continued early in the 2009–10 season. During a three-game series in the second week of the season, Alaska and Las Vegas totaled 93 penalties for 296 penalty minutes, including seven game misconducts. In the final game of the series, an Alaska player plowed through Wranglers goaltender Michael Ouzas on three separate occasions, sparking
16728-480: The game, and he would hardly be able to walk in the afternoon, and then, at night, he would be the best player on one of the greatest teams ever assembled. He was the best player in every game; he was the best player in the tournament. He couldn't skate like he used to, but he could still go." According to teammate Darryl Sittler , "Bobby Orr was better on one leg, than anybody else was on two." Orr signed with Chicago, but his injuries limited him to only 26 games over
16892-498: The game-tying goal with 1:49 left in regulation. The Flyers won the game, 5–4 in overtime, sending the series back to Tampa for Game 7. The Flyers went on to lose that game by a score of 2–1. Hockey legend Phil Esposito later told Primeau that, "During the '04 playoffs, when you and the Flyers took the Lightning to seven games, you were the most dominating player I ever saw. More than Orr , Howe , Gretzky , or anyone." Nine games into
17056-423: The game. Several Wranglers set team records during the 2005–06 season, including goaltender Marc Magliarditi for most games played by a goaltender (51) and most wins by a goaltender (34). Centre Matt Dzieduszycki set the team record for most points in a season with 78 and Dan Tudin set team records for highest plus/minus with +38, shots on goal with 256 and shorthanded goals with seven. The Wranglers ended
17220-414: The glass. When Quinn returned, the Boston fans showered garbage onto the ice. Orr was carried out on a stretcher to the dressing room where he revived after the concussion. According to a Boston police officer at the scene, "The fans here don't like anybody to touch Orr. He's their Frank Merriwell and Jack Armstrong rolled into one. To my thinking, it looked like a clean check." The game degenerated into
17384-420: The home and road jerseys, which were adopted prior to the 2007–08 season . The black and white jerseys feature a crest with a poker chip logo on the front. The outer circle of the crest reads "Las Vegas Wranglers", while the middle of the crest leaves room for the player's individual jersey number and the sleeves sport the poker chip hockey puck logo. The team has two alternate jerseys which have been used since
17548-538: The investigations that led to Eagleson's fraud convictions and disbarment . Orr also supported a lawsuit that challenged the NHL over its control of its pension plan . After his hockey career, he became a scout for several professional teams. Orr entered the player agent business in 1996 and was the president of the Orr Hockey Group agency, until its acquisition by the Wasserman Media Group in 2018. Orr
17712-638: The kid was in his natural position when he played defence. You didn't have to be genius to see that – honest. I don't think Doug agreed, but he accepted my decision." Orr would later credit McDonald: "Bucko taught me almost everything I know." Orr was noticed by the Boston Bruins in the spring of 1961, playing in a youth hockey tournament in Gananoque , Ontario. The Bruins' Wren Blair described him as "a combination of Doug Harvey and Eddie Shore ." The Bruins immediately pursued Orr. Blair made regular visits to
17876-579: The league record (which had been set by his teammate Phil Esposito the previous season), leading the league in scoring. As of 2024 , Orr is the only defenceman in history to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer, which he also achieved a second time, in 1974–75. In addition to the Norris and the Art Ross, Orr captured the first of three consecutive Hart Trophies as regular-season MVP and later won
18040-651: The league record for fewest road defeats in a single season with five. Wranglers rookie goalie Mike McKenna would finish second in the race for the Reebok Goaltender of the Year award, finishing behind Adam Berkhoel of the Dayton Bombers , and set single season team records in shutouts (five) and lowest goals against average (2.21). The Wranglers also entered the Kelly Cup playoffs on a 13-game winning streak when they took on
18204-425: The league, Eagleson countered with US$ 100,000 (US$ 939,077 in 2023 dollars ) for the two years. Orr would refuse to play with the Bruins and played for Canada's national team instead, like Carl Brewer . Orr wanted desperately to play in the NHL, but he went along with Eagleson's strategy and was willing to play for the nationals. The Bruins and Orr agreed on a US$ 25,000 signing bonus (US$ 234,769 in 2023 dollars ), and
18368-432: The line-up and finished the season playing through the pain, sometimes struggling to get up to speed and relying on teammates instead of making the plays himself. In other games, Orr was outstanding, scoring his first career NHL hat trick on December 14 against Chicago, adding two assists for a five-point night. He scored 21 goals on the season, breaking the goal-scoring record for a defenceman, and totalled 64 points to set
18532-492: The low budget he was given. The team operated with the league's lowest payroll during the 2009–10 season, spending $ 10,300 per week compared to the ECHL's weekly salary cap of $ 11,800. Near the end of 2009, Davenport sold his ownership rights to Fleisig, who assumed full ownership of the team. The team became more consistent following the All-Star break , going 28–18–7 after starting the season 6–12–1 and moving from last place in
18696-430: The melee, Peter Ferraro received a game misconduct penalty for spearing, as did Las Vegas' Tim Spencer for kicking. In the aftermath, the Aces were given a five-minute 5-on-3 power play in which they scored three times before the teams were at even strength. A few days after the game, the ECHL suspended Peter Ferraro for the rest of the regular season and the entirety of the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs for his actions during
18860-399: The middle of the season, leaving as the franchise's career leader in minutes played (8517), games played by a goaltender (146), wins (83) and shutouts (7). Despite injuries and being left with only one player from the inaugural 2003–04 franchise, the Wranglers paced themselves to their first ever banner, winning the Pacific Division title on April 4, 2007 with a 4–2 victory on the road against
19024-404: The next season in, but not much after that. I knew, looking at that team, I wouldn't have to do as much. I wouldn't have traded it for anything." Despite his knee, Orr's performance in the Canada Cup led to him being named to the tournament All-Star team and he was named the overall MVP for the tournament. According to teammate Bobby Clarke , Orr "would hardly be able to walk on the morning of
19188-410: The next three seasons. He sat out the entire 1977–78 season . By 1978, Orr had undergone over a dozen knee surgical procedures, was having trouble walking and barely skated any more. However, in the summer of 1978, he decided to make a comeback. He played six games of the 1978–79 season and came to the conclusion that he could no longer play and informed the Black Hawks that he was retiring. He started
19352-519: The only retired players in league history to have averaged more points per game than Orr are Wayne Gretzky , Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy , all of them forwards. "Losing Bobby", said Gordie Howe , "was the greatest blow the National Hockey League has ever suffered". The Hockey Hall of Fame waived the normal three-year waiting period for induction into the Hall and he was enshrined at age 31 –
19516-529: The playoffs since 1959. With Orr, the Bruins won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1970 and 1972 . Both times, Orr scored the clinching goal and was named the playoff MVP. In the final achievement of his career, he was the MVP of the 1976 Canada Cup international hockey tournament. In 1976, Orr left Boston as a free agent to join the Black Hawks, but repeated injuries had effectively destroyed his left knee, and he retired in 1978 at age 30. Orr's first professional contract
19680-487: 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
19844-425: The previous series with Bakersfield, the first four games were split by the two teams and Las Vegas took a three-games-to-two series lead heading back to Las Vegas. Stockton extended the series to a seventh game by defeating the Wranglers 3–1, but the Wranglers finished off the Thunder in Game 7, 5–1. For the second straight year the Wranglers had reached the National Conference finals, but this time they were to take on
20008-419: The regular season (he only played 63 games due to injury,) but had only two points in the playoff loss. In 1973–74 , Orr led the Bruins to another first-place finish in the regular season. His point total rebounded to 122 with 32 goals and 90 assists. That season, Orr set the record (since surpassed) for the most points in a game by a defenceman, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists in a November 15, 1973 game against
20172-438: The regular season have included: Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy) , Stand Up , Ready Steady Go , ...To Be Loved , Crash . When the team makes the playoffs, the song that was used in the regular season is usually changed. Songs that have represented the playoffs have included: The Hand That Feeds and Lights and Sounds . During the regular season the Wranglers used Ain't Nothing Wrong With That by Robert Randolph and
20336-452: The scoring in the playoffs (24 points with 19 assists) and scoring the championship-winning goal against New York. For his performance in the playoffs, he received his second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, making him the award's first two-time winner. Rangers forward Vic Hadfield commented "We played them pretty even, but they had Bobby Orr and we didn't." By this time, Orr knew his left knee
20500-661: The season with their best record at 53–13–6 (112 points), only one point behind the Alaska Aces for the West Division title and the Henry Brabham Cup. The 53 wins in 2005–06 were the most in franchise history and the 20-win turnaround led to head coach Glen Gulutzan being awarded the John Brophy Award as the league's top coach. The Wranglers would take on the Idaho Steelheads in the best-of-seven West Division semifinals. The Wranglers found themselves trailing Idaho three games to one, but pulled off what only one other team in
20664-433: The season, Mike McBain announced his retirement and Peter Ferraro was named as his replacement as captain. Despite having two untested goaltenders and a team that didn't have a single original Wrangler, the team shot out of a cannon during the early part of the season, going 15–2–0 after two months into the season. By mid-season, the Wranglers were comfortably settled into first place in the Pacific Division and coach Gulutzan
20828-610: The season, Orr had injured his right knee during a charity game in Winnipeg during the summer requiring five weeks in a cast. In December, a Frank Mahovlich check caused a fracture of Orr's collar bone and a shoulder separation . Orr returned in January in time to play in the NHL All-Star Game , his first of eight appearances overall. Orr had to sit out five games afterwards due to soreness in his left knee. In February, he had to leave
20992-524: The season, former Wranglers captain and defenceman Mike McBain was named as the team's assistant coach, filling in for former assistant Brent Bilodeau who left the team after three seasons to become head coach of the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League . The 2008–09 team was crippled by injuries and inexperienced players. Despite this and the sudden folding of division rival Fresno ,
21156-452: The series in five games. With only four wins away from the Kelly Cup finals, Las Vegas took on the cinderella 6th-seed Utah Grizzlies. Utah proved tough for Las Vegas, taking the Wranglers to overtime in games two and three, before falling to the Wranglers in a four-game sweep as Las Vegas won its first Bruce Taylor Trophy as the National Conference playoff champions. The Wranglers would meet 2007–08 Brabham Cup champion Cincinnati Cyclones in
21320-702: The series in six games on the way to their second Kelly Cup title in four years. As the Wranglers were set to begin their fifth season in the ECHL many changes had come around the team. After coming out of nowhere to fill in for Wranglers legend Marc Magliarditi, Mike McKenna left Las Vegas, signing with the Portland Pirates of the AHL and Mike McBain was not expected to play much of the season before he retired. In turn, Gulutzan signed rookie goaltenders Daniel Manzato and Kevin Lalande , as well as signing twins and former NHLers Chris and Peter Ferraro . Two games into
21484-537: The start of the 1996–97 season . Primeau became a leader with his new team when the franchise moved to North Carolina and became the Carolina Hurricanes , being named team captain in 1998–99 . However, he missed the majority of the 1999–2000 NHL season after holding out and was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers (along with a 2000 fifth-round draft pick, ultimately used to select Kristofer Ottosson ) in exchange for Rod Brind'Amour , Jean-Marc Pelletier and
21648-405: The style of hanging-back defensive play common in the later 1950s and 1960s, Orr was known for his fluid skating and end-to-end rushing. Orr's rushing enabled him to be where the puck was, allowing him not only to score effectively but also to defend when necessary. According to the Bruins' Phil Esposito , "No matter how fast an opponent was, Bobby could skate faster than him if he needed to do it in
21812-405: The team with high level experience and pushed the Wranglers to the edge, but Las Vegas was able to recover and take the series in six games. The Wranglers next opponent would be their heated rival, the Alaska Aces in the National Conference semifinals. The Wranglers set the tone for the series, throttling Alaska 8 – 0 in game one of the series. Alaska was unable to recover and the Wranglers would take
21976-416: The team would return for an eighth season in Las Vegas, but couldn't comment further until the transfer of ownership was completed. Mougenel stated that the new owners were "great people" and that "they're real committed to the team." Team president Billy Johnson stated that the team was hoping to make a formal announcement of the transfer by the end of April or the first week of May 2010. In mid-June 2010,
22140-475: The team's affiliate in Lowell, sending multiple top prospects and former NHLers to the team including goaltender Sébastien Centomo . The 2004–05 Wranglers ended up being more remembered for their lack of discipline as forward Adam Huxley set a team record for penalty minutes and Centomo became better known for fighting than stopping the puck. Wranglers fans showed their disdain through chants and signs that called for
22304-455: The team's inaugural season in 2003 . The red alternate jersey, which had been the team's road jersey from 2003–07, has black shoulders and three black stripes, one across each arm and one across the waist and a crest on the front of the jersey that includes "Las Vegas" in white cursive over a poker chip/hockey puck logo. The second alternate is black with red shoulders and five red stripes, one across each elbow, one across each arm and one across
22468-515: The then- Governor of Illinois , where both teams wore inmate-like attire - the Wranglers striped jerseys, the visiting Bakersfield Condors orange jerseys resembling the current Department of Corrections issue - and the referees blue jerseys resembling prison guards . Their 2011/12 home opener was a promotion for "Rapture Day", as this game coincided with the Rapture prediction of Oakland radio host Harold Camping , and on New Years Day, to parody how
22632-479: The time Orr turned 16 in 1964, he was still two years away from playing in the NHL and his father Doug was dissatisfied with the Bruins' treatment of the prospect. Doug had asked the Bruins' Blair for more money for Bobby and was turned down. Doug Orr met Toronto lawyer Alan Eagleson at a juvenile fastball tournament dinner in Parry Sound and asked Eagleson to help out with the situation. Eagleson agreed to work with
22796-465: The time wanted him." Orr did not authorize a biography of himself until 2013, preferring not to be the centre of attention. In September 1975, the Bruins and Eagleson had reached a deal that would pay Orr US$ 4 million (US$ 22,649,351 in 2023 dollars ) for ten years, but when Orr's knee required surgery, the Bruins reduced its offer to US$ 295,000 (US$ 1,579,544 in 2023 dollars ) per season and a payment of US$ 925,000 (US$ 3,420,557 in 2023 dollars ) or 18.6% of
22960-435: The time, it made Orr the highest-paid player in league history. Beyond that, the signing became one of the most important in the history of professional hockey. Until that time, players had been forced to accept whatever NHL management paid in salaries. It was the start of the player's agent era in professional hockey. For Eagleson, it was the start of his sports business empire. Based on the Orr signing, Eagleson would become
23124-536: The time. Along with the 14-game unbeaten streak at home to start the season, the Wranglers also tied the league record for most consecutive road wins with ten from November 22, 2005 to December 31, 2005. One of the most memorable moments during the 2005–06 season came during the Wranglers' 5–2 win on November 8 as head coach Glen Gulutzan challenged Fresno's head coach Matt Thomas to a fight because Fresno goons Brad Both and Fraser Clair instigated fights with Wranglers rookies Tim Hambly and Lee Green with 11 seconds left in
23288-405: The trio are also the owners of the Whitby Fury of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The 2009–10 season was a roller coaster for the Wranglers. Many veteran players left the team as co-owners Charles Davenport and Jonathan Fleisig cut payrolls in order to save during the recession. Mougenel in turn went with a very youthful team, most of which had little to no professional experience, due to
23452-415: The two had combined for six division titles, two Brabham Cups and three Kelly Cup Finals appearances. The Alaska Aces rivalry began during the 2005–06 season in which the Wranglers fell one point behind the Aces for the West Division and Brabham Cup titles. The Aces would also eliminate the Wranglers in six games in the 2006 West Division Finals on way to their first Kelly Cup . The Wranglers would return
23616-432: The upstart World Hockey Association . Coach Tom Johnson was fired fifty-two games into the season, replaced by Bep Guidolin , who had once coached Orr. The Adams family, which had owned the team since its founding in the 1920s, sold it to Storer Broadcasting. The Bruins' season came to a premature end in a first-round loss in the 1973 playoffs , losing Esposito to injury in that first round. Orr amassed 101 points during
23780-468: The usual game times (e.g. employees of the gaming industry), could watch a game. Other Wranglers promotions included the traditional mullet hat night and even a give away of orange vests that said "Don't Shoot...I'm Human!" during a game on March 17, 2006, a joke on the Dick Cheney hunting incident . In January 2009, the team held the " Rod Blagojevich Prison Uniform Night" parodying the impeachment of
23944-413: The voting for the Hart Trophy. After finishing last in 1966–67, the Bruins qualified for the 1968 playoffs , their first appearance in the playoffs since the 1958–59 season. In the pre-season, the Bruins added Phil Esposito , Fred Stanfield and Ken Hodge from the Chicago Black Hawks in one of the most famous deals ever. The Bruins also added rookies Glen Sather and Derek Sanderson , developing
24108-432: The waist. The jersey also features red die along the bottom of the jersey and between the red stripes on each arm. The jersey's crest includes script that says "VEGAS" with each letter in an individual circle in front of a red hockey stick with the poker chip/hockey puck logo on the blade of the stick. The Wranglers' previous home jersey, which was used from 2003–07, was white with a previously unreleased Wranglers logo on
24272-403: The whole situation. Otherwise he's gone." Instead, Orr became a free agent, with Boston to receive compensation. Orr and Eagleson whittled down a list of potential teams to St. Louis and Chicago. Chicago offered a five-year guaranteed contract with the Black Hawks, and on June 8, 1976, he officially signed with the Black Hawks. The Bruins' general manager, Harry Sinden complained of tampering by
24436-420: The youngest player living at the time of his induction in history. Orr was the eighth player to have the three-year period waived, the next two being Mario Lemieux (1997) and Wayne Gretzky (1999), after which the Hall decided that the waiting period would no longer be waived for any player except under "certain humanitarian circumstances". His number 4 jersey was retired by the Bruins on January 9, 1979. At
24600-553: Was Orr's final season with the Bruins and it was tumultuous. Orr's contract was ending after the season, potentially making him a free agent. The Bruins were sold by Storer Broadcasting in August 1975 and the new Jacobs ownership group had to promise to keep Orr as a condition of the purchase. The Bruins and Orr reached a verbal agreement with the Jacobs during the summer of 1975, including a controversial agreement for Orr to take an 18.5% share of
24764-430: Was a slap shot past Gump Worsley and the Boston Garden crowd gave Orr a standing ovation. In that first season, Orr was challenged by the veterans, and he earned respect by defeating Montreal tough guy Ted Harris in his first NHL fight. On December 4, 1966, Toronto Maple Leafs' defenceman Marcel Pronovost checked him into the boards, injuring Orr's knees for the first time in the NHL. He would miss nine games and
24928-432: Was able to skate faster than anyone his own age, with speed he demonstrated in races around the rink and in games. Until he was ten years old, Orr played on the wing, as a forward. His coach, former NHL player Bucko McDonald , moved Orr to defence. Although Orr played defence, McDonald encouraged Orr to use his talents as a stickhandler, skater, and scorer to make offensive rushes. According to McDonald: "I used to tell Doug
25092-424: Was born on March 20, 1948, at St. Joseph's Hospital, where his grandmother Elsie Orr was a nurse. Bobby was a sick baby at birth and his survival was tenuous. Bobby Orr displayed his hockey talents from an early age. Orr played his first organized hockey in 1953 at age five, in the "minor squirt" division , a year after getting his first skates and playing shinny . Although he was tiny and somewhat frail, he soon
25256-484: Was deteriorating and he would not have many seasons left. Orr also won the MVP award at the 1972 NHL All-Star Game to win three MVP awards in one season. Since then only Nicklas Lidström (2002) and Cale Makar (2022) have won the Norris and Conn Smythe trophies in the same season. The 1972–73 saw upheaval at the Bruins. Former head coach Sinden returned to the club as the general manager. Bruins players Gerry Cheevers , Derek Sanderson and Johnny McKenzie joined
25420-580: Was encouraged to use his skating skills to control play. Orr's play in Ontario provincial competition attracted the notice of NHL scouts as early as age twelve. At fourteen, Orr joined the Oshawa Generals , the Bruins' junior hockey affiliate, and he was an all-star for three of his four seasons there. In 1966, Orr joined the Boston Bruins, a team that had not won a Stanley Cup since 1941 and had not made
25584-445: Was for US$ 3 million (US$ 16,063,158 in 2023 dollars ), to be paid over 30 years. Spreading out the payments in this way was done to minimize taxes. While a player, he never cashed a Chicago paycheque, stating that he was paid to play hockey and would not accept a salary if he was not playing. After Orr signed with Chicago, the Black Hawks gave him permission to play for Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup tournament. Orr did not play in
25748-524: Was given a five-minute standing ovation. Boston Celtics basketball superstar Larry Bird said in his pre-game inspiration that he always looked up at the rafters of the Garden at Orr's retired No. 4, instead of the retired numbers of Celtics stars such as Bill Russell , Bob Cousy , or John Havlicek . When Orr and the Bruins visited cities, attendance was usually a sell-out. According to longtime Bruins coach and general manager Harry Sinden , "Bobby became
25912-532: Was involved with a plan to start a new Oshawa Generals franchise in a new arena in Oshawa , Ontario. Despite the Bruins already having a junior hockey franchise, the Niagara Falls Flyers , Blair convinced the Bruins to own another. He arranged a deal whereby the Bruins owned 51% of the franchise, but Orr would have to play for Oshawa. When Orr was fourteen, Blair convinced the Orr family to allow Bobby to attend
26076-545: Was named head coach of the National Conference All-Stars for the third straight year, tying the league record for most appearances at the ECHL All-Star Game by a coach. The Wranglers clinched their second straight Pacific Division crown and National Conference regular season championship on March 26, 2008 with a 3 – 2 overtime victory on the road against the Utah Grizzlies. The win also made the Wranglers
26240-576: Was named the second head coach in franchise history. On July 15, 2009 the Wranglers announced that they had hired former NHL All-Star Keith Primeau to take over as the team's director of player development as well as being a special assistant to the General Manager. Primeau, who played in fifteen NHL seasons, runs the Durham Hockey Institute in Toronto with Wranglers head coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel and Keith's brother Wayne and
26404-515: Was one of the first in professional 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. However, after his retirement, Orr learned he was deeply in debt and he had to sell off most of what he owned. Orr broke with his agent Alan Eagleson and sued the Black Hawks to settle his contract. Orr and his family returned to Boston where Orr went into business to rebuild his finances. Orr aided
26568-406: Was over after ten games and he would not play again for the Bruins. His impending free agency led to speculation that the Bruins would trade him, but despite his injury, they were negotiating to keep him until the end. During his Bruins career, Orr was often the player the press wanted for a post-game interview. Orr instead would hide in the trainer's room. Teammate Terry O'Reilly described him as
26732-664: Was supposed to be the franchise's inaugural season in 2000, but the team had to suspend its entrance into the WCHL for three seasons due to the lack of a suitable arena for the team to play in. Deciding to not miss out on another season, the Wranglers announced in October 2002 that they planned to play at the proposed Las Vegas Events Center in Downtown Las Vegas and share the arena with the Community College of Southern Nevada's men's and women's basketball teams. The Events Center
26896-483: Was to be paid for and operated by a non-profit organization that was supported by Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman . With no progress on the proposed Events Center, the franchise announced in September 2002 that it was moving to the Orleans Arena that was under construction at The Orleans Hotel and Casino . The Orleans Arena became the home of the Wranglers beginning with the 2003–04 WCHL season. Later in September 2002,
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