BOSTON -- No player has worn No. 8 for the Boston Bruins since Cam Neely retired in 1996. The club yesterday announced that no player ever will.
The Bruins will raise Neely's number to the rafters of the FleetCenter on Jan. 12 prior to the team's game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Neely becomes the third player in as many years to have his number retired by Boston, following Ray Bourque (2001) and Terry O'Reilly (2002).
Neely is the 10th former player to be so honored, joining Eddie Shore (2), Lionel Hitchman (3), Bobby Orr (4), Aubrey "Dit" Clapper (5), Phil Esposito (7), John Bucyk
(9), Milt Schmidt (15), O'Reilly (24) and Bourque (77).
"Cam was one of the premier players in the NHL over the course of his career and he richly deserves this honor," said team president Harry Sinden. "The term 'power forward' became part of the hockey lexicon because it was the only way to truly describe his style of play. Cam gave Bruins fans countless highlights over his seasons in a Boston uniform as one of the most prolific scorers and complete players in team history."
The event will highlight the team's 80th-season celebrations, and the club will dedicate the upcoming season as the Year of the Alumni.
"Cam's contributions to Boston have gone far beyond what he accomplished on the ice, however," continued Sinden. "He has meant a lot to the Boston community with his countless efforts on behalf of charitable causes and, of course, the establishment of the Neely House and Neely Foundation. We are looking forward to celebrating Cam's career with our fans on Jan. 12."
Neely's career was cut short by knee and hip injuries, and he retired in 1996.
"To be going up there in the rafters with the players that are already there is such an honor," said Neely. "Playing here in Boston was amazing. I always tried to play as hard as I could, and I knew what style of hockey I had to play to be successful. The support I received from the fans of New England has always been pretty incredible."
Neely was Vancouver's first pick (ninth overall) in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, from the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League. He played his first two full seasons in the NHL for the Canucks before coming to Boston in a trade that sent Barry Pederson to Vancouver in 1986. The Bruins also received the Canucks' first-round draft pick, which turned out to be Glen Wesley.
Neely led the Bruins in goals seven times, and twice led the team in scoring during his 10 seasons in Boston. Neely had three 50-goal seasons, in 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1993-94. Only Esposito had more, reaching that mark five times. Neely is Boston's all-time leader in playoff goals, with 55.
Neely won the NHL's Bill Masterton Trophy in 1993-94, when he returned from injuries and scored 50 goals. A hip condition led to his retirement, and a 1998 comeback bid was short-lived.
Neely ended his Bruins career with 344 goals and 246 assists for 590 points, and had 921 penalty minutes in 525 regular-season games. He remains fourth on the club's all-time goal-scoring list and ninth overall in team scoring.
His NHL career totals were 395 goals and 299 assists for 694 points in 726 career games.
