Johnny Bucyk

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Lore & Background

Bucyk was considered a skilled left winger and the largest of his day. While he never was regarded as the best at his position (being a contemporary of superstars Bobby Hull and Frank Mahovlich), he had a long and notable career. He retired as the fourth leading point scorer of all time and having played the third-most games in history, and recorded sixteen seasons of scoring twenty goals or more. Despite his reputation for devastating hip checks, he was a notably clean player who won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 1971 and 1974. Bucyk was the senior alternate captain of the Bruins when they won Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972.

In Their Own Story

Bucyk's early years with Detroit were frustrating; he recalled sitting on the bench until his team was up or down five goals to watch Gordie Howe. However, life changed after the trade to Boston in 1958. He immediately doubled his scoring output, helping lead the Bruins to the 1958 Stanley Cup Finals. Throughout the 1960s, even as the team struggled and missed the playoffs for eight straight years starting in 1967, Bucyk remained a leader. He served as an alternate captain during the 1965-66 campaign before becoming the sole captain in 1966-67, scoring his 200th goal that season. As the team rebuilt with Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, Bucyk was named senior alternate captain for the Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972. His clean play stood out despite his size; he won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1971 and 1974. He retired as the fourth leading point scorer of all time and played the third-most games in history.

Reader's Guide

Following his retirement Bucyk has remained a member of the Bruins serving many different roles such as commentator, director and now currently works as an ambassador for the team.

Did You Know?

• Bucyk was born in Edmonton to Ukrainian immigrants from the village of Butsiv, in what is now Yavoriv Raion, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine.
• He originally started out as a goalie with pads made from magazines and old catalogs.
• His nickname 'Chief' was given by teammate Bronco Horvath, who admired how Bucyk used his stick like a tomahawk to fight for pucks along the boards.
• Bucyk's first NHL game was the 1955 All-Star Game, played in October between the defending Cup champion Red Wings and an all-star team from the rest of the league.