Rick Middleton

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Middleton was born in Toronto, Canada on Dec 4, 1953. He began skating at 4 years old and started organized hockey at age 6. As a youth, he played in the 1966 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from Wexford, Toronto. He later played for the Toronto Young Nationals and then two seasons with the Oshawa Generals, leading the OHL in scoring in 1972–73 with 67 goals and 70 assists for 137 points, winning the Red Tilson Trophy as league MVP. Drafted 14th overall by the Rangers in 1973, he spent his first pro season with the AHL Providence Reds, winning the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as AHL Rookie of the Year. He made his NHL debut in 1974–75 and was traded to the Boston Bruins for Ken Hodge on May 26, 1976. With the Bruins, he became a star, recording multiple 90-plus- and 100-plus-point seasons. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1982. Internationally, he represented Team Canada twice in the Canada Cup, winning gold in 1984. After retiring, he coached the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey team to gold at the 2002 Paralympic Olympics and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

On January 7, 1982, Middleton tied a single-game best with five points against the Winnipeg Jets. Later that season, he was named to his third and final NHL All-Star Game after scoring 105 points in 1983–84. He reached his 300th career goal on January 29, 1984, versus the Canadiens. The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final twice under his watch, in 1977 and 1978, though they were swept by Montreal both times. In 1983, he led the team to the league's best regular-season record but was eliminated by the Islanders in the semifinals. His leadership was formally recognized when he became co-captain with Ray Bourque for the 1985–86 season, a role he held until retiring in 1988.

Reader's Guide

Middleton was a right winger known for exceptional stickhandling and scoring. He played 14 NHL seasons, primarily with the Bruins. He served as Bruins captain from 1985 to 1988. His best statistical season was 1983–84, when he scored 105 points (47 goals, 58 assists), tying Ken Hodge's team record for most points. He set multiple playoff records in 1983, including most points by a player not advancing to the finals (33 in 17 games) and 19 points in a single playoff series (quarterfinals against Buffalo). However, these records have since been surpassed.

Did You Know?

• Middleton scored his first two NHL goals in his debut, a 6–3 Rangers win over the Washington Capitals.
• He scored a career-best four goals in a 10–0 Rangers win over the California Golden Seals.
• Middleton scored a hat trick in his Bruins debut on October 7, 1976, versus the Minnesota North Stars.
• He won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1982 with just 12 penalty minutes.
• Middleton led the OHL in scoring in 1972–73 with 137 points and was named league MVP.