Remembering Milt Schmidt
Start writing a post
Sports

Remembering Milt Schmidt

The Greatest Bruin of All Time

28
Remembering Milt Schmidt
The Star

“Mr. Bruin” or Milt Schmidt, who played for the Boston Bruins from 1936 – 1955, has passed away at age 98. If you’re a Boston Bruins fan or a hockey fan in general, you’ve probably heard this already. Number 15 was the reason I fell in love with hockey, but I’m sure this applies to many hockey fans around the world, too. Well, while everyone else is reporting his passing away, I’d like to celebrate his life.

Schmidt was acquired by the Boston Bruins in 1935 along with his two childhood friends Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer. Together they would join the Bruins in 1936 and make up the most remembered line in the league; the Kraut Line. After winning a Stanley Cup in 1941 Schmidt and his line-mates would go on to miss the next three NHL seasons, 1942 – 1946, to enlist in the Canadian Military in order to fight in World War II.

Schmidt returned for the beginning of the 1946 season. He resumed his starring ways and finished fourth in league scoring in 1947. Named captain in 1951, Schmidt won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player that year. He retired as a player partway through the 1954–1955 season to take over head coaching duties.

He’d go on to coach 11 seasons for the Bruins before being promoted to General Manager. During his tenure in senior management, Milt helped guide the ascendancy of the Boston Bruins, watching Bobby Orr's career take flight and engineering the trade that brought Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield to Boston. The Bruins won the Stanley Cup twice more (1970 and 1972); the first times since Schmidt helped lead the Bruins to the Cup as a player in 1941.

Milt Schmidt was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and his #15 jersey was retired by the Bruins in the old Boston Garden on March 13, 1980. On October 6, 2010 the Bruins celebrated Schmidt's 75 years with the team during Milt Schmidt Night. On this night he received 2 commemorative Stanley Cup miniatures to represent the two cups he had brought to the club, plus he personally raised his number to the rafters inside TD Garden.

On October 20, 2016, Schmidt along with Bobby Orr dropped the ceremonial puck at the Boston Bruins' first home game of the season. "I've known Milt longer than 50 years," Orr, 68, said. "Milty scouted me when I was 12 years old. He's been a great friend, he's been my coach, my general manager, and most importantly my very good friend. I'm thrilled to be with him here tonight on the opening of the Bruins season."

A few days ago, Schmidt was also named one of the first 33 players included in the top 100 players of all time compiled by the league to commemorate the NHL’s Centennial Anniversary.

"When he played, I didn't see Milty play. I've seen a little video, heard a lot about him. He wasn't very big but he had a (big) heart on the ice. That's how he played. He was a great player. He's a wonderful individual. He's a great man and a great friend to all of us." Bobby Orr said when asked about his fellow alumni.

In a statement made by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, he said, “It would be a challenge to find anyone who took greater pride in being a Boston Bruin than Milt Schmidt did – be it as a player, an executive or an ambassador over the 80-plus years he served the franchise, the City of Boston and the National Hockey League,”

“Milt’s respect for the game was matched by his humility and was mirrored by the great respect with which his opponents, and generations of Bruins players, treated him through the years."

“An ultimate competitor, a mainstay of two Bruins Stanley Cups as a player and architect of two more as the Bruins’ General Manager, Milt was a landmark presence in Boston’s sports landscape. The NHL family cherishes his contribution to our history and sends deepest condolences to his family, fans and all whose lives he touched.”

It is an understatement to say that Milt Schmidt left his mark on the hockey community. He will be remembered for eternity.


Sources:

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71069
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132629
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments