Over the next few weeks, I will be looking at the best Bruins to wear each jersey number from 1-99. As an original six franchise, there were plenty of options to choose from for most numbers.
Some numbers were extremely easy…. some were not.
Part 1:
Numbers 1-10
Part 2:
Numbers 11-20
Part 3:
Numbers 21-30
Part 4:
Numbers 31-40
Part 5:
Numbers 41-50
51: Ryan Spooner
Only five Bruins have ever worn the #51, and only Spooner spent more than two seasons in Boston. The 45th overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft, Spooner never lived up to the hype that surrounded him. The Bruins gave him every possible chance to make it at the NHL level and things never clicked for him. In 253 career games with the Bruins, Spooner finished with 142 points.
52: Sean Kuraly
Another number that has not been too popular in franchise history, Kuraly gets the honors for #52. Since the Bruins acquired Kuraly from the San Jose Sharks, he's developed into a solid bottom-six option for the Bruins. A physical force on their bottom lines, Kuraly has 36 points in 154 career games.
53: Derek Morris
As you can see, this portion of the list is a tough one... Morris is one of four Bruins to wear #53. The defenseman played just 58 games with the Bruins during the 2009-10 season, picking up a respectable 25 points.
54: Adam McQuaid
Because of his toughness, and willing to put his body on the line night in and night out, McQuaid was always a fan favorite during his nine years in Boston. A Stanley Cup winner in 2011, McQuaid finished his Bruins career with 652 penalty minutes in 462 games. McQuaid spent the previous two seasons with the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. Currently unsigned, McQuaid made a stop back in Boston last month, skating with the Bruins during their captains practice sessions.
55: Johnny Boychuk
Like McQuaid, Boychuk was another fan favorite in Boston because of his toughness and famous "Johnny Rocket." Also a member of the Bruins 2011 Cup team, Boychuk spent six years with the Bruins.
56: Doug Doull
You probably won't remember Doull, but the guy could throw punches with the best of them. He only played 37 career NHL games, 35 with the Bruins, but in those 35 he managed to rack up 132 penalty minutes. He had four, yes four, shots on goal in those 35 games.
57: P.J. Axelsson
Axelsson is mostly remembered wearing #11, but he actually wore #57 his rookie year as a Bruin. One of my favorite Bruins growing up, Axelsson was as reliable as they came during his 11 seasons in Boston. He finished his Bruins career with 287 points and currently works for the Bruins in their scouting department.
58: Urho Vaakanaien
Three Bruins have worn #58, and because of the potential Vaakanaien has, he makes the cut. Drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the six-foot Vaakanaien should be a big part of the Bruins blue line for years to come.
59: Tim Schaller:
The native of Merrimack New Hampshire had a nice three-year run in Boston, picking up 36 points in 141 games as a key member of the Bruins fourth line. Schaller's production in Boston helped him earn a nice two-year contract with the Canucks, worth $3.8 million.
60: Vladimir Sobotka
The last Bruin to wear #60, Sobotka earned his way to the NHL level at the same time Brad Marchand was developing in the minors. With room for only one, the team shipped Sobotka to the Blues, keeping Marchand in the mix. Clearly, the right move. Sobotka played three seasons with the Bruins, but had just 22 points. Once Sobotka went to St. Louis, things got better for him as he had 133 points in 329 games.