Hockey player Bobby Orr: biography and sporting achievements

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian professional hockey player, recognized by many as the greatest player in the history of this sport.

short biography

Bobby Orr (photo placed later in the article) was bornMarch 20, 1948 in Perry Sound, Canada. His grandfather was a professional football player of the top division who immigrated to the USA from Northern Ireland. Hockey fans of Bobby's hometown in the late 1950s had many opportunities to observe the young hockey genius. His father Doug Orr himself was a speedy player and a gifted striker. He wanted his son, still small but extremely talented, to play the forward, making full use of his speed and energy. But Bako McDonald, a former NHL player who defended himself in the 1930s and 1940s and coached Bobby when he was 11 and 12 years old, felt that his ward had all the makings of an outstanding defender. He taught him the secrets of the game, and encouraged to use the skills of the attacker.

Oshawa Generales

Professional teams agreed to take a youngtalent. "Boston Bruins" took an unusual step by hiring a small prospective player. When Orr was 14, the professional club agreed that he would play at Oshawa Generals, in the Junior Hockey League A. He continued to live at home and went to the match every time. Although Bobby was not in any training, he was selected to the second team of "all the stars" of the league. To become a real star, a fast teenager could only grow up. At the age of 14, his height was 168 cm and weight 61 kg. The following year, when he transferred to Oshawa High School and played in the Ontario Junior League, Bobby grew to 176 cm and became 11 kg heavier. Soon his junior career ended - in 17 years it was already a strong man 183 cm tall and weighing 90 kg. The Boston phenomenon, followed closely by local fans since he was a freckled little boy with a hedgehog on his head, was ready to begin a professional career.

Bobby Orr: Characteristic of the NHL player

In his first game in the National Hockey Leagueagainst the team of the Detroit Red Wings and Gordie Howe, 18-year-old Bobby impressed local fans and many reporters with the defender's abilities. He blocked the throws, took away the puck and led the enemy players away from the gate. In addition, he recorded his first point - assists.

The first season Bobby Orr played more thanexcellent. As the best newcomer, he received the "Calder Trophy", and also got into the second team of the NHL stars. Bobby was second in the league for scoring goals against defenders. He not only scored and made transfers, Orr fought when it was necessary, more often defeating the enemy, and could lead a power game. But some observers believed that he was too bold and substituted himself for blows, and his fragile body must still develop to stand for the whole season. In the first year Orr was injured when in a bold impulse his left knee hurt. This was the beginning of a long struggle with the knees, which, in the end, led to the completion of his career.

Starry hour

The first Stanley Cup he received in 1970, anddid it with a sweep that only Bobby Orr could afford. Team "Bruins", which did not win this prize for 29 years, tried to beat the St. Louis Blues in the finals. The fourth time passed in overtime. Orr took the transfer from the corner Derek Sanderson and lightning was in front of the net to put the puck into the net behind the Blues goalkeeper Glenn Hall. When Bobby raced past the gate, he was defeated by defender Noel Piccard. Orr jumped when he saw the puck hit the Hall, and the arena exploded. Bobby's photograph with arms raised and a body hovering in the meter with ice, was published in newspapers and magazines around the world. As the most valuable player in the playoffs, he was awarded the "Conn Smythe Trophy" prize, which he will receive the second time, when "Boston" again won the title in 1972, again, with a winning goal, hammered by the stick of Orr.

Player who changed hockey

Bobby Orr - hockey player who revolutionizedin the sport of his ability to score, moving from the blue line. Other defenders, beginning with Lester Patrick, also played in the attack, but he dominated. Orr twice became the most productive player, the only defender who was able to achieve this, and at the peak of his career scored for the season 46 goals and made 102 assists. Moreover, he had the ability to control the game and take it upon himself. Bobby had a speed that allowed him to escape from the defenders, or accelerate to take away the lost puck or continue the move after stopping during the attack. Often, thanks to Orr's self-sacrificing actions, the rivalry's attack with a numerical advantage ended not at all as they had expected. Some argue that he was not an outstanding player of defense, but hockey fans denied these statements.

Bobby Orr, whose sporting achievementsallowed him eight consecutive seasons to win James Norris Trophy as the best defender and three times to become the most valuable player of the league, for which he received Hart Trophy, at the peak of his career in 1970-71 reached the unattainable rating plus 124 points when he scored 139 points .

The first millionaire of NHL

At the beginning of the 1971-72 season, Bobby Orr signeda contract that guaranteed him $ 200,000 per season for five years. It was the first million-dollar deal in hockey, and his agent predicted then that he would someday become part of the team if he continued to play in Boston. As it turned out, when it was time to discuss a new contract for the 1976-77 season, the Bruins club offered him a stake in the property, but the stellar player said his agent did not inform him of the proposed deal. Bobby Orr, who treated his left knee and played only 10 games in 1975-76, felt like Boston no longer wanted to see him, and, in spite of everything, signed a contract with the "Chicago Black Hawks". Once considered the savior, and then the hero of the rejuvenated club "Bruins", the hockey player left the team, which was part of his career since his youth in Perry Sound.

The Canadian Cup

Bobby Orr took the chance to play in a majoran international competition, the Canada Cup in 1976, when the leadership of the "Chicago" gave him permission. He missed the entire super series of Canada-USSR, and this competition was the only chance for the hockey player to compete against the best players in the world.

He played an outstanding role in the matches of the Canadianteam. Bobby was one of the leaders on scoring points, finishing seven games with nine points on a par with another great defender from the "New York Islanders" Denis Potvenom. Orr was selected to the team of the tournament stars and received the award as the most valuable player.

Chicago Black Hawks

Speech Bobby in the Cup of Canada stirred upfans of the "Bruins". But the left knee of Orr once again prevented his career. He played 20 games of his first year in Chicago, weakened by the sixth knee operation in April 1976. The whole season of 1977-78. he recovered his strength, trying to revive the knee, which, according to doctors, after so many operations and injuries represented two rubbing against each other bones.

He made a bold attempt to return, having played in thesix games at the beginning of the 1978-79 season. Although Orr did not succumb to severe pain, he was limited in his movements and could not train. In one game against the Detroit Red Wings, Bobby was on the ice when the team missed four goals. He called his game "terrible."

End of career

At the age of 30, Orr decided that it only hindersthe Chicago team. Legendary sports commentator Howard Kosell in October 1978 announced that Bobby had quit hockey, although later it turned out that he had confused him with Bobby Hall, who was also about to leave the sport. A few days later, Orr called Kosell and told him that he was actually retiring, and asked him to attend a press conference. Kosell refused, saying in jest that he was not "engaged in the old news."

Due to the continuing health problems of Orrrefused to receive his salary in the "Black Hawks", saying that he was hired to play hockey. After leaving, he became an assistant coach. He held this position a year earlier.

Bobby Orr - hockey player, enlisted in the Hockey Hallfame in 1979. He often worked with charitable societies and maintained close ties with the game. Later he became an agent, helping young hockey players with his experience in the business side of the sport.

In the club "Oshawa Generali", in which he beganhis dizzying career, to this day remember what was Bobby Orr. The team's double-decker bus depicts a portrait of a smiling beginner hockey player, a freckled little boy with a hedgehog on his head. In the hometown of the famous player his name is the house of culture, in the same place is his museum.

Bobby Orr: personal life

Being on vacation, the famous hockey player meta native of Michigan Margaret Louise Wood. They secretly married in September 1973. The couple had two sons: Darren and Brent. Currently, Darren works as an agent in his father's company. Orr's mother died in November 2000, and her father in 2007.

In 1974, a book was published by the hockey player "Bobby Orr. My game ", and in 2013 - his autobiography, ranked 8th in the list of bestsellers" The New York Times. "