B’s to hoist Nifty’s No. 16 to rafters
The crowded rafters at the Garden are about to get a bit more Nifty.
The Bruins announced yesterday they will retire Rick Middleton’s No. 16 jersey in a pregame ceremony on Nov. 29.
Middleton, a Toronto native who averaged more than a point per game over 12 seasons with the Bruins, said he was surprised by the news.
“When it hit me, it was like a sledgehammer,” Middleton said. “I’m still in shock. It’s such a great day for me.”
Bruins president Cam Neely informed Middleton of the news.
“It could have knocked me off the chair. It was certainly not something I expected from the call, in July, to hear something like that,” Middleton said. “He just caught me so offguard with it. I actually got emotional when he said it, because it was just a dream come true.”
Middleton is the 11th Bruins player to have his jersey number lifted to the rafters, joining Lionel Hitchman (No.3, 1934), Aubrey “Dit” Clapper (No. 5, 1947), Eddie Shore (No. 2, 1949), Milt Schmidt (No.15, 1957), Bobby Orr (No. 4, 1979), Johnny Bucyk (No. 9, 1980), Phil Esposito (No.7, 1987), Ray Bourque (No. 77, 2001), Terry O’Reilly (No. 24, 2002) and Neely (No. 8, 2004).
“It was a great honor to call Rick today and let him know that he will join the group of retired numbers in the TD Garden rafters,” Neely said in a news release. “As a player and a person, Rick embodies what it means to be a Bruin, and we are excited to celebrate his career with his family, friends and our fans.”
Middleton played with the B’s from 1976-88, scoring 402 goals and 496 assists for 898 points in 881 games. His 402 goals are the third in Bruins history behind Bucyk (545) and Esposito (459). His 496 assists are sixth in team history behind Bourque (1,111), Bucyk (794), Orr (624), Esposito (553) and Wayne Cashman (516).
He ranks fourth on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list, behind Bourque (1,506), Bucyk (1,339) and Esposito (1,012).
Middleton led the Bruins in scoring four straight seasons from 1978-82 and also led the team in goals six straight seasons from 1978-84. He enjoyed his best year in 1981-82 when he was named a second-team AllStar after scoring a careerhigh 51 goals. Middleton also earned the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
Middleton said he’s not concerned about being on the Garden ice to see his number hoisted.
“My biggest worry is forgetting somebody I should thank,” Middleton admitted.