Mike Milbury

Lore & Background

Milbury played college hockey at Colgate University from 1972 to 1974, serving as senior captain and leading the team in penalty minutes. After signing with the Bruins as a free agent in 1974, he spent time with their AHL affiliate before being promoted late in the 1975–76 season. His aggressive style fit the Bruins' overachieving teams coached by Don Cherry, alongside tough players like Terry O'Reilly and Stan Jonathan.

Milbury gained notoriety for an incident on December 23, 1979, after a Bruins victory over the New York Rangers. During an on-ice brawl, a fan cut Stan Jonathan's face and grabbed his stick. Several Bruins entered the stands; Milbury, who had reached the locker room, returned, caught the fan, removed one of his shoes, and slapped him with the sole. NHL president John Ziegler suspended Milbury for six games and fined him $500. The incident led to higher glass panels enclosing rinks.

After his playing career, Milbury became head coach of the Bruins' AHL affiliate, then head coach and assistant general manager of the Bruins, leading them to the Presidents' Trophy and a Stanley Cup Final appearance. He later served as head coach and general manager of the New York Islanders, where his tenure was marked by controversial trades and draft decisions. He moved into television as a studio analyst and color commentator for NBC from 2007 to 2021.

Reader's Guide

Milbury's legacy is defined by his dual roles as a player and executive. As a Bruin, he was a rugged, stay-at-home defenseman who personified toughness and helped the team reach consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. His involvement in the 1979 shoe incident became a lasting symbol of fan-player confrontations and prompted league-wide safety changes. As a coach, he won AHL Coach of the Year and led the Bruins to a Presidents' Trophy and Stanley Cup Final appearance. However, his tenure as Islanders general manager drew heavy criticism for trading away numerous young players—including Zdeno Chara, Roberto Luongo, and Olli Jokinen—who later became stars, and for draft decisions such as selecting Rick DiPietro first overall in 2000 over Dany Heatley and Marian Gaborik. Milbury later transitioned to broadcasting, serving as a prominent NHL analyst on NBC for 14 seasons. In 2023, he was named one of the top 100 Bruins players of all time.

Did You Know?

• Milbury played all 12 NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins.
• He was suspended six games for slapping a fan with a shoe during a 1979 brawl.
• As Islanders GM, he traded away future stars including Zdeno Chara and Roberto Luongo.