Cam Neely

Bruins legend and Hall of Famer Cam Neely, a power forward who overcame devastating injuries to score 50 goals in a season.

Cameron Michael Neely (born June 6, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played right winger for 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins.

Quick Facts

Position: Right wing
Played for: Vancouver Canucks; Boston Bruins
Shoots: Right
Born: 6 June 1965
Birthplace: Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Draft: 9th overall
Drafted by: Vancouver Canucks
Hall of Fame: 2005

Lore & Background

Neely excelled in junior hockey with the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League, winning the Memorial Cup in 1983 with a hat-trick in the championship game. He was selected ninth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1983 NHL draft. After recording 104 points in 201 games with Vancouver, he was traded to the Boston Bruins in June 1986 for Barry Pederson and a draft pick. In his first season with Boston, he recorded 72 points in 75 games, beginning five consecutive 30-goal seasons.

He was named to the NHL All-Star Game in the next four seasons. In the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs, he suffered devastating knee injuries that limited him to 22 combined games over the next two seasons. He returned and scored 50 goals in his 44th game, earning a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team for the fourth time and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He retired in 1996 due to a degenerative hip condition.

In 726 games, he recorded 395 goals and 299 assists, with 89 points in 93 playoff games. The Bruins retired his jersey in 2004, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005. After playing, he was appointed vice president of the Bruins in 2007 and promoted to team president in 2010; he was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy. Neely won the Stanley Cup when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup Final.

Reader's Guide

Cam Neely is remembered as a power forward known for his hard, accurate shot, quick release, and physical play. He scored 50 goals in a season twice and was a key player for the Bruins in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His career was shortened by knee and hip injuries.

Did You Know?

He was traded to the Bruins on his 21st birthday, June 6, 1986.
He scored 50 goals in his 44th game of the 1993–94 season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Cam Neely?

Cam Neely, nicknamed 'Bam-Bam,' was a dominant right winger who played for the Boston Bruins from 1986 to 1996 after being drafted by Vancouver. He is celebrated as one of the franchise's greatest power forwards, known for combining elite scoring ability with fierce physical play.

Why is Cam Neely considered a Bruins legend?

Neely is honored as a Bruins icon for his unmatched goal-scoring prowess and his inspirational recovery from career-altering knee damage. His contributions were recognized with a Hall of Fame induction in 2005, cementing his status as one of the team's all-time greats.