Rick Middleton

Lore & Background

Middleton began skating at age 4 on a backyard rink frozen by his father, and played organized hockey from age 6. He played in the 1966 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from Wexford, Toronto. After three years with the Toronto Young Nationals, he played two seasons for the Oshawa Generals, leading the OHL in scoring in 1972–73 with 67 goals and 70 assists, winning the Red Tilson Trophy as league MVP. Drafted 14th overall by the New York Rangers in 1973, he spent his first pro season with the AHL Providence Reds, earning Rookie of the Year honors. He made his NHL debut in 1974–75, scoring two goals in his first game. Traded to the Bruins for Ken Hodge in May 1976, Middleton debuted with a hat trick against the Minnesota North Stars. Under coach Don Cherry, he developed into a two-way player. He reached the Stanley Cup Final with Boston in 1978 and 1979, losing both times to the Montreal Canadiens. In 1981–82 he scored a career-high 51 goals and won the Lady Byng Trophy with only 12 penalty minutes. His best statistical season came in 1983–84 with 105 points (47 goals, 58 assists). Internationally, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 1984 Canada Cup.

Reader's Guide

Middleton's legacy is defined by his elite scoring and sportsmanship. He recorded multiple 90-plus- and 100-plus-point seasons, including a career-high 105 points in 1983–84, tying Ken Hodge's team record for most points in a season. His 51-goal campaign in 1981–82 placed him seventh in league scoring and first in shooting percentage (25.2%). He set unbroken playoff records in 1983 for most points by a player not advancing to the finals (33 in 17 games) and for a single playoff series (19 points against Buffalo). After retiring, he coached the United States Paralympic Sled Hockey team to its first gold medal at the 2002 Paralympic Olympics, earning induction into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. He remained involved with the Bruins as a commentator and ambassador.

Did You Know?

• Middleton won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1982 with only 12 penalty minutes.
• He scored a hat trick in his Bruins debut on October 7, 1976.
• He set unbroken playoff records in 1983 for most points by a player not reaching the finals (33) and most points in a single playoff series (19).
• After retiring, he coached the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey team to its first gold medal in 2002.