BOBBY ORR Timeline 1960-1969

All dates, facts and details shown below are accurate and genuine.
This Timeline was generated by spending countless hours researching numerous information sources:
web sites, books, magazines, audio interviews and video footage.
This information will be continuously be updated as more details become available.

Until now, at the age of ten, Orr played on the wing, as a forward. His coach, former NHL player Bucko McDonald, moved Orr to defence.

At a Bantam Tournament in Gananoque, Ontario, NHL scout Wren Blair and Lynn Patrick of the Boston Bruins, noted Orr's dominance and began aggressively pursuing the talented 12-year old. Bobby Orr played for the Parry Sound Bantam All-Stars and he played 58 out of the 60-minute game (he had a two minute penalty).

Played as a Parry Sound's Pewee All-Stars in a playoff game in Barrie.

Played as a Parry Sound's Pewee All-Stars in a playoff game on home ice against Barrie.

Started Grade 8 school year in Parry Sound. His brother Ronnie was in his same class.

His parents drove him to Niagara Falls to attend a Junior Tryout Camp for the reborn Oshawa Generals. They were approached and scared away by Weston Adams, team owner, making Bobby an offer to join the Oshawa Generals.

Wren Blair and his wife Elma drove to Parry Sound to calm down the Orr family. Doug Sr. was not there all day so no deal could be reached.

Wren Blair visited the Orr family again, offering them a $10,000 bonus for signing the "C-Form" contract, plus a car, plus cover the $800 cost to stucco the house. After meeting their lawyer friend Joe on the golf course to review the contract, Bobby signed the contract.

Started Grade 9 at R.S. McLaughlin High School in Oshawa, Ontario.

Jumped from Bantam hockey to a Metro Junior A hockey league in Oshawa. Bobby was 5'-6" tall and weighed 135 lbs.

Moved in the home of Bob and Bernie Ellesmere who were his hockey billets.

Worked in his Uncle Howard's butcher shop for the next 2 summer months. Bobby was 5'9" tall and weighed 160 lbs.

Played in the Junior A Quarter Finals game as the Oshawa Generals skated against the St. Catherines Black Hawks. Wayne Cashman was on his team.

Moved in the home of Jack and Cora Wild who were his hockey billets.

Got his first exposure to international hockey when he was added, along with other OHL all-stars, to the Toronto Marlboros' roster for an exhibition game against the Russian National Team. The game was played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, and he was selected as the first star of that game.

Played a playoff game as the Oshawa Generels faced St. Catherines.

On his 18th Birthday he assisted 3 goals on Oshawa's 8-1 win. The crowd sang Happy Birthday and the team presented him with a transistor radio.

Spent time at Alan Eagleson's summer cottage on Lake Couchiching near Orillia. There he met and spent time with Carl Brewer and Bobby Bauer.

Signed a 2 year contract with the Boston Bruins. The contract was signed in Lefroy, Ontario aboard the 42-foot cabin cruiser, Barbara Lynn, which was owned by Boston GM Hap Emms, in the presence of his attorney Alan Eagleson. He was the highest paid rookie in NHL history, earning $25,000 the 1st year and $30,000 the 2nd year, when the average NHL salary was $17,000 a year. His signing bonus was $25,000 which he used to buy his mother a new refrigerator, washer and dryer.

Attended 1st Boston Bruins Training Camp in London, Ontario. He wore #27 on his uniform and for the next 8 games of the pre-season. He was offered #5, worn by Aubrey "Dit" Clapper but politely declined. His roomate was Johnny Bucyk.

He moved into a 5-bedroom house in Little Nahant, Boston, that he shared with Joe Watson, another small-town Canadian boy from Smithers, B.C.

Made professional debut with the Boston Bruins vs Detroit Red Wings wearing #4. First NHL game & first NHL point (assist on a power-play goal by Wayne Connelly at 5:44 of the 2nd period). Blocked a shot by Gordie Howe. Detroit 2 at Boston 6

Received 1st penalty, a minor for interference at 7:43 of the 2nd period. Bobby Rousseau scored a power-play goal while Orr was in the penalty box. The goal proved to be the winner.
Boston 1 at Montreal 3

1st NHL goal in Bruins home game against Gump Worsley and the Canadiens at 4:31 of the second period. He actually had borrowed a teammates stick and later returned it for his own. The stick belonged to Bob Dillabough. The Boston Garden fans gave him a 5-minute ovation.

Received 1st major penalty - for fighting with Vic Hadfield of Rangers at 2:22 of the 2nd period. New York 3 at Boston 3

Scored his first shorthanded goal, at 4:51 of the1st period against Hank Bassen. Detroit 2 at Boston 5

Scored first power-play goal at 14:27 of the 3rd period against Ed Giacomin. Boston 4 at NY Rangers 5

In the 2nd period of the game, he strained an internal ligament as he was hit into the boards by Maple Leafs defenceman Marcel Pronovost. This was Orr's first time knee injury in the NHL. He would miss nine games and the Bruins would lose six of them. Toronto 8 at Boston 3

Missed first of eight straight games with knee injury.

Bobby Orr Enterprises Ltd. Was registered as a tax shelter and investment vehicle for him.  His 2 partners were Alan Eagleson and Mike Walton.

Thanks to Bobby Orr, the Boston Bruins' box office receipts had increased by almost $100,000 compared to the past year..

Played in a game against the Chicago Black Hawks. Boston at Chicago 2-3

Received first 10-minute misconduct penalty, at 7:28 of the 3rd period. Toronto at Boston 1-3

Completed 1st season in NHL with 13 goals,28 assists,41 points, 102 penalty minutes. Boston finished sixth and out of the playoffs. Orr missed nine game because of injuries.

Named winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most outstanding rookie.

Named to the second NHL All-Star Team.

Hurt his right knee in a collision with teammate Bob Leiter during a charity game in Winnipeg , He ended up with a cast on his leg for five weeks due to the injury. Dr. John Palmer at the Toronto General Hospital did the honours.

Bobby Orr drove a Cadillac Eldorado, had a residence in Peabody, MA. and rented a Cape Cod style, two-garage bungalow in Lynnfield, MA., twenty minutes drive from the Boston Garden. His roommates were goalie Ed Johnston, defenceman Gary Doak and trainer John "Frosty" Forristall.

In a game against the Montreal Canadiens, he fought Bryan Watson. He received his 2nd major NHL penalty and got a game misconduct. Montreal 2 at Boston 6

Was hit in the face by the hockey stick of the Maple Leaf's Brian Conacher. Following emergency first aid, Orr went after the Toronto player and their battle ignited a major donnybrook in which both benches cleared and a total of 26 minutes in penalties were assessed. Orr required three stitches to close the wound. Toronto 2 at Boston 2

He was flattened by Maple Leaf Frank Mahovlich and suffered a broken collarbone and a separated shoulder. He missed the next six games. Boston 3 at Toronto 3

Appeared on the front cover of the Sports Illustrated magazine for the 1st time.

Played in first All-Star game. Wore #5 at the 21st NHL All Star Game as Jean Beliveu wore #4. Received an assist, along with Gordie Howe, on goal by Norm Ullman. Suffered shoulder injury which kept him out for the next four games. Toronto defeated the All-Stars 4-3 in Toronto.

Missed the game while resting his injured shoulder. Philadelphia 2 at Boston 4

Missed the game while resting his injured shoulder. Chicago 0 at Boston 6

Missed the game while resting his injured shoulder. Boston 1 at NY Rangers 2

Missed the game while resting his injured shoulder. Boston 0 at Montreal 2

At the game against the Red Wings, his knee joint locked up and he had to skate off the ice and limp back to the dressing room. This injury caused him to miss the next 17 games.
Boston 1 at Detroit 1

Was admitted to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Boston. Dr. Ronald Adams did the honours of surgically repairing a torn cartilage in his left knee.

Held a press conference at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital after undergoing surgery for the removal of a torn cartilage in his left knee.

Played in first Stanley Cup playoff game. Orr did not receive any points or penalties. Boston 1 at Montreal 2

Received 1st playoff point, an assist with John Bucyk on Ted Green's power-play goal. Boston 3 at Montreal 5

Named winner of the Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's outstanding defenseman.

Named to the first NHL All-Star Team.

Attended the first "Bobby Orr Day" celebrations in Parry Sound.  The parade started at 1:30 p.m. from the Department of Lands and Forests installation on Bay St. and proceed to the High School, where the reception was held.

His left knee bothering him again, he went back to surgery with Dr. John Palmer at the Toronto General Hospital. A bone chip was removed that was left behind during his operation in February.

Orr signed a three-year, $250,000 contract with the Bruins.

Maple Leafs Brian Conacher hit him with the stick on the bridge of his nose. He received three stitches to close the wound. Boston 1 at Toronto 1

Had two separate fights with Gary Dornhoefer of the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston 2 at Philadelphia 4

Recorded his 1st three goal game and also the first game in which he had more than two points (3 goals + 2 assists for 5 points). The goals were all assisted by Ed Westfall and scored on goalie Dave Dryden. Chicago 5 at Boston 10

Recorded the 100th point of his regular season career, a goal against Tony Esposito. It was his 138th game. Montreal 5 at Boston 7

Appeared in second straight All-Star game. East and West All-Stars tied 3-3 at Montreal. Orr wore sweater number 2. He did not have any points or penalties.

During the game against the Kings at the Forum, he was skating backwards on a routine play when his left skate caught in a crack on the ice.  His knee twisted and he felt the twinge instantly, but he stayed in the game till the end. This knee injury caused him to miss the next 9 games. Boston 7 at Los Angeles 5

Appeared on the front cover of the Sports Illustrated magazine for the 2nd time.

Attended the Bobby Orr Hockey Show at the Merrimac Valley Forum in Billerica, MA. Profits were donated to the Greater Lowell Youth Hockey Program.

Recorded one assist, his 60th point of the season which established a record for most points by a defenseman in one season. The old mark of 59 was set by Pierre Pilote of Chicago in 1964-65. Boston 4 at Toronto 7

Scored his 21st goal of the season, a record for a defenseman, breaking the mark set by William Hollett of Detroit in 1944-45. Oddly enough it was Orr's 21st birthday. The goal was scored against Dennis DeJordy. Chicago 5 at Boston 5

Finished regular season with 64 points, including 21 goals, both records for a defenseman. Played 67 games.

With the Bruins leading the Maple Leafs 6-0, in a game they would eventually win 10-0, Leaf defenseman Pat Quinn caught Bobby Orr with an elbow to the face touching off one of most memorable brawls in the storied history of the Boston Garden. It was the first game of the best of seven NHL playoffs at Boston Garden. Toronto 0 at Boston 10

In this third playoff game against the Maple Leafs, he had 2 assists. Boston 4 at Toronto 3

Scored first Stanley Cup playoff goal against Montreal. It was at 18:13,3rd period, against Rogatien Vachon and was the game winning goal. John Bucyk and Ed Westfall assisted.
Montreal 2 at Boston 4

Won the Norris Memorial Trophy for second straight season as most outstanding defenseman.

Named to the First NHL All-Star team for the second straight year.

Played in 1st American Airlines Golf Tournament held at the Board of Trade Country Club in Woodbridge, Ontario.

Played in 1st American Airlines Golf Tournament held at the Board of Trade Country Club in Woodbridge, Ontario.

Played in 1st American Airlines Golf Tournament held at the Board of Trade Country Club in Woodbridge, Ontario.

Played in 1st American Airlines Golf Tournament held at the Board of Trade Country Club in Woodbridge, Ontario.

Rented a house in Lynnfield, MA along with Eddie Johnston, Gary Doak and trainer Frosty Forristall for the upcoming season.

Credited with three assists in one game for the first time in his NHL career. Oakland 0 at Boston 6

Had three assists, including the 100th of his career. It was in the 180th regular season game. Boston at Oakland 4-2

Had 4 assists in one game for the first time in his NHL career. Los Angeles 4 at Boston 7

Had two goals and three assists against the Flyers. Philadelphia 4 at Boston 6

Had five assists in one game. Boston 6 at Pittsburgh 4

Had one goals and three assists against the Flyers. Philadelphia 4 at Boston 5