| Rick Middleton |
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A right wing of dazzling skill nicknamed "Nifty" or "Slick", Middleton was drafted in the 1st round, 14th overall, by the Rangers in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft after a glittering junior career with the Oshawa Generals in which he led his league in scoring his final year and was named to the league's Second All-Star Team. He spent the 1974 Season with the Rangers' farm team, the AHL Providence Reds , in which he earned rookie of the year honors and was placed on the AHL's First All-Star Team. He made the big club during the 1975 Season , and though suffering injuries that restricted him to 47 games, scored 22 goals in that limited time. The following season was not as spectacular, and showing youthful defensive deficiencies, the Rangers traded him thereafter to the Boston Bruins for veteran winger Ken Hodge . It was one of the most one-sided deals in hockey history. Hodge played only a single season more before his career ended, while Middleton would become a great star in Boston, scoring nearly nine hundred points in a Bruins' uniform. Generally paired with center Barry Pederson , "Nifty" had five straight seasons of at least forty goals and ninety points and led the Bruins to perennially glittering marks. His leadership was apparent in being named co-captain (with Ray Bourque ) to succeed Terry O'Reilly in 1985, a position he held until he retired. His best season was the 1982 Season , during which Middleton scored a career high 51 goals, won the Lady Byng Trophy for excellence and sportsmanship, and was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team. The following season he led the Bruins to the league's best regular season record, and set still unbroken records that year for the most points scored in league history in the playoffs for a player not advancing to the finals (33) and for a single playoff series (19, in the quarterfinals against Buffalo). His 105 points in the 1984 Season remains the Bruin record for points scored in a year by a right winger. Middleton also starred in international play, being named to play for Team Canada in the Canada Cup in 1981 and 1984. Teamed on a line with Wayne Gretzky in the 1984 series, he scored four goals and four assists in seven games. Middleton played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1981, 1982 and 1984. He retired with 448 goals and 540 assists for 988 points in 1005 games, and added 100 points in 114 playoff games. He is currently a studio color broadcaster for the Bruins' telecasts. SEE ALSO |
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