Bobby Orr

At 76 years old, Bobby Orr has this physical status:

Robert Gordon Orr (born March 20, 1948) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the best of all time.

Orr's ice skating speed, scoring, and play-making skills helped him to reimagine the position of defenseman.

He competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 12 years, beginning with ten with the Boston Bruins and two with the Chicago Black Hawks.

Orr is the only defenseman to have won the league scoring title with two Art Ross Trophies.

He holds the most points and assists in a single season as a defenceman.

Orr has won eight straight Norris Trophies as the NHL's best defenceman and three straight Hart Trophies as the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Personal life

Orr encountered Margaret Louise "Peggy" Wood, a Trenton, Michigan native and speech therapist who worked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while on vacation. They got engaged on Christmas Day, 1972, and married in September 1973 at a'secret' wedding in Parry Sound. They have two sons, Darren and Brent. Darren is a player's agent for Orr Hockey Group. Arva Orr's mother died in November 2000, 18 months after being diagnosed with cancer. Doug Orr's father, Doug Orr, died in 2007. When granddaughter Alexis was born in 2009, Orr became a grandfather. In January 2011, Robert, his second grandchild, was born.

Orr has been known to be devoted to former Bruin employees and colleagues. Orr spent his own money to ensure that Sanderson successfully recovered from rehab when Derek Sanderson suffered with alcohol and prescription drug use and ended up penniless. Orr and Sanderson went into business together, handling hockey player finances. Orr had also helped out the Bruins' John (Frosty) Forristall, his roommate during his first years with the Bruins, who had been suspended from the Tampa Bay Lightning for alcoholism in 1994. Forristall's inebriation put him on bad terms with his brother John, so he returned to Boston unemployed and was diagnosed with brain cancer the following day. Orr lived in Forristall for a year before he died at the age of 51. Orr was a pallbearer at his funeral.

Orr is also known for his charitable contributions, although he kept them out of the news. Russ Conway, a former Eagle-Tribune writer, told of one occasion when Orr and Conway went to Boston Children's Hospital with a box of services, pennants, pucks, pictures, and Boston memorabilia: "We went from room to room, Orr popping in, Orr visiting the children." Any of them couldn't believe their eyes; sick as they were, they erupted in amazement and amazement.

Bobby Orr!

With every one of them, he joked, rubbing heads, giving everyone a little gift from the box, leaving a stick, and autographing everything in sight." Orr made Conway promise not to print a word in the paper. Orr was involved in a number of charity fund raisers. The Multiple Sclerosis Society awarded Orr with the Multiple Sclerosis Medal in 1980 for his "numerous and unselfish contributions to society."

Orr has a passion for fishing, which he has had since childhood. He has a knack for jigsaw puzzles. Orr is also known for his style in clothes and style of dress. Orr was also known for keeping a clean apartment and not smoking, smoking, or nightclubbing when he was a bachelor with Forristall during his time as a Bruinss. Orr had a fresh look.

Source

Hockey career

Orr was born in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of Georgian Bay. Robert Orr, Robert Orr, his grandfather, migrated from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, to Parry Sound in the 20th century. Doug Orr, Orr's father, had once been a hockey player and was invited to join the Atlantic City Seagulls in 1942 but turned down the invitation. Doug Orr has joined the Royal Canadian Navy instead, serving during the Second World War. He returned from war to Parry Sound and Arva Steele, whom he had married before he left for war, and to a job in the CIL dynamite factory. Doug and Arva were married together on March 20, 1948, at St. Joseph's Hospital, where his grandmother Elsie Orr was a nurse. Bobby was a sick baby at birth, and his recovery was difficult.

Bobby Orr demonstrated his hockey skills from an early age. Orr's first organized hockey team played in 1953 in the "minor squirt" division, a year after receiving his first skates and playing shinny. Despite being small and fragile, he soon learned to skate faster than anyone his own age, and demonstrated it in ice and games. Orr played on the wings as a forward until he was ten years old. Bucko McDonald, a former NHL player, was promoted to defense by his head coach. McDonald encouraged Orr to use his skills as a stickhandler, skater, and scorer to make offensive rushes, despite Orr's defense. "I used to tell Doug that he was in his natural position when he was playing defense," McDonald said. To see that, you didn't have to be genius, honest. Doug didn't agree with my decision, but he accepted mine." "Bucko taught me virtually everything I know," Orr would later credit McDonald for his report.

Orr was spotted by the Boston Bruins in the spring of 1961, when they were playing in a youth hockey tournament in Gananoque, Ontario. Wren Blair of the Bruins described him as "a mash-up of Doug Harvey and Eddie Shore." Orr was immediately pursued by the Bruins, who then pursued him. Blair used to visit the family's house on a daily basis. The Bruins invested CA$1,000 (CA$9,019 in 2021 dollars) to finance his minor hockey team in the fall of 1961. Despite the fact that three other NHL franchises (Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens) were interested in Orr, the Bruins' 1962 signing of Orr has piqued interest in him. Orr explained that he signed the Bruins because they are a team of the future. They're rebuilding, and I want to be a part of the building program."

Blair was involved with a campaign to launch a new Oshawa Generals franchise in Oshawa, Ontario. Despite the fact that the Bruins already had a junior hockey team, Blair, the Niagara Falls Flyers, convinced the Bruins to buy another. He arranged a deal in which the Bruins owned 51% of the company, but Orr will have to play for Oshawa. Blair persuaded Orr's Orr family to allow Bobby to attend the Flyers' tryout camp when he was fourteen. When camp ended and it was time to sign with the Bruins, a meeting with Bruins' owner Weston Adams went sour, and Orr returned to Parry Sound. Blair was able to calm down and convince Arva Bobby that she was old enough to leave home. Blair decided to keep Bobby in Parry Sound for his education, skipping Generals' activities, and only driving south to play games on weekends to get the Orrs' signatures on a "C" Form, committing Bobby to the Bruins at age eighteen. Signing received a CA$10,000 (CA$89,057 in 2021 dollars), a new car and the Bruins would be able to stucco the family's house.

In the new Metro Junior A League, Orr made his debut in junior in the 1962–63 season. Orr, fourteen, was only fourteen years old, competing against eighteen, nineteen, and twenty-year-olds. The 1963–64 season saw more changes as the Metro League was folded and Oshawa joined the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). Orr moved to Oshawa, where he started attending R. S. McLaughlin high school and boarded with a local family. Orr played 29 goals, a record for a defenceman, and was selected to the OHA's first All-Star team.

Orr's aim and point totals increased each year during his junior years, and he was named to the OHA First-All Star team every season he was in the OHA. Orr's third season as a junior had his best season in 1965–66. Orr scored 38 goals to lift his goal-scoring record and finished with 94 points to average two points per game for the Generals. The Generals finished fourth in the league, but the J. Ross Robertson Cup was won by the team's J. Ross Robertson Cup by defeating the St. Catharines Black Hawks, the Montreal Junior Canadiens, and the Kitchener Rangers. The team defeated the Northern Ontario champions, North Bay Trappers, and the Quebec champions Shawinigan Bruins to earn a spot in Canada's junior championships.

Orr sustained a groin injury against Shawinigan, which is painful and diminishes a player's skating skills. The GMs had announced that it would be the last chance to see Orr in junior and that they were desperate for him to play. The Bruins' leadership requested that Orr not participate in the Final because they did not want to risk any more damage to their property. Orr and his parents, on the other hand, were adamant that he be allowed to compete in the national championship. As he hadn't signed to the Bruins, they begged that if he would not play for Boston if he were held out. Blair decided to defy the Bruins' ownership and allowed Orr to play. Although Orr wore and played some, he wasn't a factor in Edmonton's win over Oshawa over the Cup. Bep Guidolin was fired for letting Orr play, while Blair left the organization on his own accord to join the Minnesota North Stars.

By the time Orr turned 16 in 1964, he was still two years away from playing in the NHL, and his father Doug was dissatisfied with the Bruins' treatment of him. Doug had requested more money for Bobby but was turned down by the Bruins' Blair. At a youth fastball tournament dinner in Parry Sound, Doug Orr met Toronto lawyer Alan Eagleson and begged Eagleson to help with the situation. Eagleson agreed to work with the family for free and continued to do so for the next two years. Bobby and Eagleson became friends, which Orr would later refer to as brothers. Bobby's future plans without his father Doug were soon discussed as a team.

Orr wanted Orr's highest pay, but Eagleson was determined to get Orr a top salary. For his first two years in the league, Hap Emms, the Bruins' general manager, received a US$5,000 (US$795,141) signing bonus and US$60,000 (US$61,014 in 2021 dollars) per year. Eagleson countered with US$100,000 (US$835,179 in 2021 dollars) per year. Orr would have declined to play with the Bruins but rather played for Canada's national team, like Carl Brewer. Orr had longed to play in the NHL, but he agreed with Eagleson's plan and was able to play for the nationals. The Bruins and Orr received a US$25,000 signing bonus (US$208,795 in 2021 dollars) and a two-year salary of less than $100,000, a figure that was hard to reveal. Speculation has spanned a range of US$5,000 to US$375,831 in 2021 dollars) annually, when the average maximum rookie salary was US$9,000. (US$66,814 in 2021 dollars) The official signing ceremony was held on Emms' yacht, the Barbara Lynn, where Eagleson and Emms had met during negotiations.

Orr was the highest-paid player in league history at the time. The signing became one of the most significant in professional hockey history. Players had been coerced to accept whatever NHL wages were paid until that point. It was the start of the player's agent career in professional hockey. It was the beginning of Eagleson's sports empire. Eagleson, based on the Orr signing, will serve as the executive director of the new National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and embarked on his ascension to become one of the sport's most influential men (and company) of ice hockey.

Orr made his Bruins debut in 1966-67, his first as a professional. The Bruins were not confident Orr was on defense, attempting to have him out at center first, but not convinced. Orr was given jersey number 27 through the pre-season. The Bruins offered jersey number 5 to former Bruins star Dit Clapper before the regular season, but Orr selected jersey number 4, which had been vacated by veteran defenceman Albert Langlois, in honor of Eddie Shore's junior number (2). Orr made his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings on October 19, 1966, receiving one assist. He scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens on October 22, which was his first NHL goal. It was a slap shot past Gump Worsley, and the Boston Garden audience gave Orr a standing ovation.

Orr was detested by the veterans in his first season, and he earned respect by defeating Montreal tough guy Ted Harris in his first NHL match. Marcel Pronovost, the Toronto Maple Leafs' defenceman, checked him into the boards on December 4, 1966, injuring Orr's knees for the first time in the NHL. He will be out for nine games, and the Bruins will lose six of them. The team ended with a 17–43–10 record, placing the Bruins in last place. However, Boston Garden's attendance increased by forty-one thousand people over the weekend.

Orr had 13 goals and 28 assists in the season, one of the best rookie seasons in NHL history to that point by a defenceman. Orr was voted to the NHL's Second All-Star team after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie and was named to the league's Second All-Star team. Harry Howell, the team's best defenceman of the season, won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman of the year. Howell said he was thrilled to win while he did, and that "Orr will own this trophy from now on." Orr came in second place in voting.

Orr was limited to just 46 games in 1967–68, his second season, in which he scored 11 goals and 20 assists. Orr suffered his right knee at a charity game in Winnipeg during the summer that required five weeks in a cast prior to the season. A Frank Mahovlich check in December revealed a fractured Orr's collar bone and a shoulder separation. Orr made it back in January to compete in the NHL All-Star Game, his first appearance in the tournament and his first appearance in total. Due to swollenness in his left leg, Orr had to miss five games afterwards. Since his left knee was stiff, he had to miss a game against Detroit in February. He'll get his first of his many surgeries on the knee, reconstructing ligament, and removing cartilage. Orr did return to finish the season, but to remove a bone chip during the offseason was necessary. Despite the injuries, Orr earned the first of a series of eight consecutive Norris trophies, was named to the NHL's first All-Star team, and ranked fourth in the Hart Trophy voting.

The Bruins qualified for the 1968 playoffs, their first appearance in the playoffs since finishing last in 1966-67. In one of the most famous trades ever, the Bruins acquired Phil Esposito, Fred Stanfield, and Ken Hodge from the Chicago Black Hawks in the pre-season. The Bruins also introduced rookie Glen Sather and Derek Sanderson, giving them a more recognizable image that culminated in the 'Big Bad Bruins.' In the first round, the Bruins, who were eager to advance to the playoffs, were defeated by eventual champion Montreal.

Orr skipped the pre-season to rest the knee, but the season was still in uniform for the first time. After catching a skate in a crack in the ice, twisting his knee, he needed an ice pack on the knee and missed nine games. He returned to the line-up and finished the season in a sarcastic manner, often struggling to get up to speed and relying on teammates rather than making the plays himself. Orr was outstanding in other games, scoring his first NHL hat trick against Chicago on December 14 and receiving two assists for a five-point game. He scored 21 goals on the season, breaking the goal-scoring record for a defenseman, and totaling 64 points to set a new point-scoring record for a defenceman. In the Hart Trophy voting, he won the Norris Trophy again while earning a first-Team All-Star pick and placing third.

Orr and Toronto rookie defenseman Pat Quinn feuded last season. Orr attempted to knock the puck loose from Maple Leafs goaltender Bruce Gamble and Quinn cross-checked Orr to the ice in a late-season game. Orr kicked Quinn and Quinn, and Quinn kicked Orr. Officials on ice broke it down, but the feud rage raged into the 1969 playoffs. In the first round, the Bruins finished second in the NHL's East Division, while the Maple Leafs were drawn in the first round. Quinn hit Orr with his head down during a rushed and knocked Orr unconscious, knocking Orr unconscious. Quinn was banned from elbowing in the penalty box by a fan and Quinn swung at the fan with his stick, breaking the glass. The Bostonians spit garbage onto the ice when Quinn returned. Orr was carried on a stretcher to the dressing room, where he was revived after the concussion. "The fans here don't like it" to touch Orr, according to a Boston police officer on the scene. He and Jack Armstrong are rolled into a unit, Frank Merriwell and Jack Armstrong. It seemed as if it were a clean check, to my eyes." When the Bruins' score reached 10–0, the game devolved into a brawl. The Bruins swept the Maple Leafs before losing in six games to the Montreal Canadiens in the second round. Orr played in third game against Toronto, receiving two assists as the Bruins won their first games in Toronto since 1965.

Orr nearly doubled his scoring total from the previous year to 120 points, six shy of the league record (which had been set by his colleague Phil Esposito in the previous season), leading the league in scoring. Orr was the only defenceman in history to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's best scorer, winning the Art Ross Trophy for the second time in 1974–75. Orr received the first of three consecutive Hart Trophies as a regular-season MVP and later won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his playoff appearance, becoming the first player in history to win four major NHL awards in a season.

Orr continued to lead the Bruins in a 1970 playoffs rally, scoring nine goals and 11 assists. The march came to an end on May 10, 1970, when he scored one of the most memorable goals in hockey history and a one that gave Boston its first Stanley Cup since 1941. At the 40-second mark of the first overtime period in the fourth game, the goal came off a give-and-goal pass with teammate Derek Sanderson, assisting in the complete sweep of the St. Louis Blues.

According to Orr:

Ray Lussier's following photograph of a horizontal Orr flying through the air, with his arms raised in triumph – he had been tripped by Blues' defenceman Noel Picard after scoring the goal – has become one of the most popular and recognized hockey photos of all time – and it's now included in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Hockey Night in Canada telecasts.

The powerhouse Bruins shattered dozens of league offensive records in the following season. With 139 points (37 goals and 102 assists), thirteen points behind Esposito, Orr himself finished second in league scoring, leaving 13 points behind Esposito, while others hold records for points (including plus-minus (+124) by a position player. Orr's 102 assists set a record that would not be broken until Wayne Gretzky's total number of 109 in 1980–81. Orr's Bruins were strong favorites to return as Cup champions, but the Montreal Canadiens and rookie goaltender Ken Dryden, who was born in the first round of the 1971 playoffs, defeated the Bruins in the first round.

The Bruins gave Orr a solid gold puck, one of four they gave out to Bruins players – to each of the four Bruins players who scored over 100 points this season – Esposito, Orr, Johnny Bucyk, and Ken Hodge. Orr later gave his puck to Alan Eagleson. Eagleson sold the puck in 2007 in an auction of memorabilia for CA$16,500.

Orr's first million dollar contract began on August 26, 1971, and it was worth US$1,338,209 per year. Orr finished second in the scoring race to Esposito in 1971–72, this time with 117 points, this time with 117 points, but his assists decreased to 80. He lifted the Hart and Norris trophies once more, assisting the Bruins in their first-place finish in the East. Orr, a 72-year-old boy, led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 1972, leading the scoring in the playoffs (24 points with 19 assists) and scoring the championship goal against New York in the championship championships. He received his second Conn Smythe Trophy as a playoff MVP for his role in the playoffs, making him the first two-time champion. "We played them good enough, but they didn't have Bobby Orr and we didn't." Orr knew his left knee was fading and that he did not have many seasons left by this point. Orr also won three MVP awards in a season at the 1972 NHL All-Star Game, winning three MVP awards in a single season. Since then, Nicklas Lidström (2002) and Cale Makar (2022) have won the Norris and Conn Smythe trophies in the same season.

The Bruins underwent a dramatic period from 1972 to 1973. Sinden, the head coach, has returned to the team as the general manager. Gerry Cheevers, Derek Sanderson, and Johnny McKenzie, all Bruins players, joined the upstart World Hockey Association. Coach Tom Johnson was suspended fifty-two games into the season and Bep Guidolin, who had previously worked with Orr, was fired fifty-two games. The Adams family, which had been involved with the team since its inception in the 1920s, sold it to Storer Broadcasting. In a first-round loss in the 1973 playoffs, the Bruins' season came to an end, losing Esposito to injury in the first round. During the regular season, Orr scored 101 points (he missed 63 games due to injury), but in the playoff loss, he had only two points.

Orr led the Bruins to another first-place finish in the regular season in 1973–74. His point total soared to 122 with 32 goals and 90 assists. Orr set the record (since surpassed) for the most points in a game by a defenseman in a contest against the New York Rangers on November 15, 1973. Rangers' defenceman Rod Seiling's stick was broken by one goal, a shot from the blue line.

The Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup final, but they lost in six games to the Philadelphia Flyers this season. Orr blocked the open Boston net with his leg to keep a Flyers' shot on target, then took the puck up the ice and scored on a slapshot past goaltender Bernie Parent with less than a minute remaining in regulation time, propelling the Bruins to a 3–2 victory. Orr assisted Boston in Boston's first goal with shorthanded rush and scored the next two goals for the Bruins' 5–1. Orr was in the penalty box after a scuffle with the Flyers' Bobby Clarke and the Flyers' ensuing power play, but the Flyers' 1-0 lead ended in a game six, but the Orrs' goal was a goal, not a win, but the Orrs' goal was on the ice shot that went just wide of the Bruins' net (goalkeeper Parent said, "If his shot is on net, it's adoutput:

Orr broke his own personal record for goals by a defenceman by scoring 46 goals to go with 89 assists in his sixth straight 100-point season. Prior to Paul Coffey's record for goals by a defenseman, he had a total of 48 in 1985–86. For the second time, he captured the league scoring title and the Art Ross Trophy. 1974–75 was his last full season and his last season with Esposito. In the first round of the 1975 playoffs, the Bruins finished second, losing a best-of-three series, two games to one. He had 100 points in six seasons, a record for any position, forward, or defensemen (since broken), but his teammate Esposito's sixth (and last) 100 points season came in consecutive seasons, but only five of them were consecutive. In fact, there are only eight other seasons in history with defensemen scoring 100 points or more (Paul Coffey with five, Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis, and Brian Leetch with one each).

Orr's last season with the Bruins, 1975–76, was tumultuous, with Orr's last season. Orr's deal came to an end early in the season, potentially making him a free agent. Storer Broadcasting had the Bruins on sale in August 1975, but the new Jacobs ownership group had to promise to keep Orr as a condition of the purchase. During 1975, the Bruins and Orr reached a verbal deal with the Jacobs, which included a contentious offer for Orr to purchase 18.5% of the Bruins after his playing days were over. The deal was supposed to be tested out to see if it would be legal for tax purposes and whether or not the league would allow it.

Orr underwent a second surgical procedure on September 20, 1975, right before the season began. The Bruins' employment negotiations with Orr and Eagleson became difficult. The Bruins' insurer would not insure a deal with Orr, and doctors advised the Bruins that Orr will not be able to play much longer. Orr returned to the lineup on November 8, 1975, the day after the Bruins traded Esposito to the New York Rangers. Orr was able to participate in the next ten games for the team, but he had to cancel on November 28 due to knee pain. He had another surgical procedure on his knee the next day. His knee didn't respond to therapy, and he returned home to Parry Sound, with the expectation that he would be out for seven to eight weeks. After ten games, his season was over, and he would not play for the Bruins again. The Bruins' continued uncharted employment led to rumors that they would trade him, but the Bruins' despite him, they were still trying to keep him until the end.

Orr was often the player on Bruins' backstage when being pressed for a post-game interview. Orr will rather hide in the trainer's room. Terry O'Reilly, a teammate, described him as a "very secret, very shy individual" who "just happens to be the best hockey player in the country." According to Bruins public relations manager Nate Greenberg, "one of my hardest jobs in the day was attempting to get Orr out of the trainer's room to talk to the world." The reason he didn't or didn't have to be present was that he really wanted his teammates to receive proper awards, but everybody else wanted him." Orr did not publish a biography of himself until 2013, preferring not to be the center of attention.

The Bruins and Eagles had agreed to a ten-year contract worth Orr US$2,476 (US$1,404,476 in 2021 dollars) per season, but the Bruins cut the Bruins' contract to US$295,000 (US$3,042,114) or 18.6% of the Bruins in June 1980. The Eagleson turned down the bid, and the Toronto Star announced on June 7, 1976, saying, "Boston announced a five-year contract at US$925,000 or 18.6 percent ownership of the club in 1980." I didn't think it would be wise for him to be a player-owner. Eagleson told The Globe and Mail on June 9, 1976, that the Bruin bid was "a five-year contract for US$295,000 a year," even though Orr had signed with Chicago. In addition, Orr was set to receive US$925,000 in cash due in June 1980. It was either a cash payout or Orr's receiving 18.6 percent of the Bruins' stock." Orr, who wrote a famous 1990 story in the Toronto Star, said that Eagleson never told him of the offer, whether during or after negotiations. Although Eagleson had told reporters of the bid, he had not spoken directly to reporters about it, But Orr did not discuss it.

The Bruins charged Orr US$600,000 (US$2,857,193) per season in 1976, but he'd have to pass a physical examination at the start of each season's training camp. Only the first year's funds were guaranteed. "There is just one way that Bobby Orr will be back with the Bruins," Eagleson said at the time, and that if Jeremy Jacobs asks him for a second meeting and straightens out the whole situation. If not, he's gone." Orr, in contrast, became a free agent with Boston, who would be compensated. A list of potential franchises to St. Louis and Chicago was whittled down by Orr and Eagleson. Chicago promised him five years with the Black Hawks, and the Black Hawks officially announced him on June 8, 1976. Harry Sinden, the Bruins' general manager, protested the Black Hawks' tampering and demanded that Chicago owner Bill Wirtz submit to a lie detector test. They had a valid complaint, according to Orr's records. Orr attended a private meeting in May 1976 before becoming a free agent.

Don Cherry, then-Bruins' head coach, argued that Orr's complete faith in Eagleson at the time was the reason Orr never re-signed with the Bruins (Orr said he referred to Eagleson as a brother). Orr was suspended from speaking with the Bruins team president directly, allowing Eagleson to deceive or withhold enough information from Boston's offer. Orr's departure from the Bruins was traumatic, and he hasn't been involved in an official capacity with the Bruins since. Years later, it became apparent that Eagleson had good relationships with Black Hawks owner Bill Wirtz and NHL president John Ziegler, who conspired to keep back wages of some players. Orr disassociated himself from Eagleson in 1980.

Orr's five-year deal with Chicago was worth US$3 million (US$14,285,965) in 2021 dollars), and was paid over 30 years. To minimize taxes, spreading the payments out was done in this manner. Although he was not playing, he never received a paycheck in Chicago, claiming that he was paid to play hockey and would not give a salary if he wasn't playing.

The Black Hawks granted Orr's permission to play for Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup tournament. Orr did not participate in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, and he wished to play for Canada. Orr had been unable to participate in the Summit Series due to knee injury, but he did participate as a non-player. Orr's participation in the Canada Cup was considered ill-conceived, and Eagleson later believed it was the 'last straw' that ended his career. Orr himself said he knew I didn't have much longer before the tournament that "I knew I didn't have much longer." That series didn't do it. I was hoping to get the next season in, but not so much after that. I knew I wouldn't have to do as much considering the team's work. I wouldn't have traded it for anything" he says.

Despite his knee injury, Orr's participation in the Canada Cup resulted in him being named to the tournament All-Star team and he was named the tournament's overall MVP. Orr will hardly be able to walk on the morning of the game, and he will hardly be able to walk in the afternoon, and then, at night, he would be the best player on one of the best teams ever assembled, according to teammate Bobby Clarke. He was the best player in every game; he was the best player in the tournament. He couldn't skate like he used to, but he could still go." "Bobby Orr was faster on one leg than anybody else on two legs," teammate Darryl Sittler says.

Orr was drafted to Chicago, but his injuries limited him to just 26 games over the next three seasons. He was on the outsider in 1977-78. Orr had trouble walking and barely skated any more by 1978, after having undergone over a dozen knee surgical procedures. However, he made a comeback in 1978's summer. He played six games from 1978 to 1979 and told the Black Hawks that he could no longer play and that he was going to retire. He began working as an assistant to Chicago general manager Bob Pulford. On October 28, 1978, he scored his last NHL goal and point against Detroit.

Orr retired after scoring 270 goals and 645 assists in 915 games, as well as 953 penalty minutes. At the time of his retirement, he was the best defenceman in league history, scoring, assists, and points, tenth overall in assists and 19th in points. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Bossy, the only three players in league history to have averaged more points per game than Orr are the three forwards. "Losing Bobby" said Gordie Howe, "was the biggest blow the National Hockey League has ever suffered."

The Hockey Hall of Fame waived the three-year waiting period for induction into the Hall of Fame, and he was honoured at age 31 – the youngest player to live at the time of his induction in history. Orr was the eighth player to have the three-year term waived, with Mario Lemieux (1997) and Wayne Gretzky (1999), the next two being concerned about the fact that the waiting period would no longer be waived for any player except under "certain humanitarian circumstances."

By the Bruins on January 9, 1979, his number 4 jersey was retired. The audience at the Boston Garden would not stop applauding, and as a result, the bulk of the evening's program was cancelled at the last second due to continual applause. The crowd did not encourage Orr to speak out about his thank you speech until he donned a Bruins jersey. In Boston, the day was proclaimed "Bobby Orr Day" and the benefit raised thousands of dollars for charity. He received a standing ovation at the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, and was lauded for his five-minutes. Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics basketball superstar, said in his pre-game inspiration that he always looked up at the rafters of the Garden at Orr's former No. 67 in Orr's retired No. 4. Instead of the lost numbers of Celtics players like Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, or John Havlicek, four is released.

Post-hockey career

Despite being one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, an independent accountant revealed Orr's debts exceeded his assets, effectively bankrupting him. Orr's taxes were also reviewed. Eagleson had planned a corporation to receive Orr's income and pay Orr a salary, but US and Canadian tax authorities refused to honor the deal, but US and Canadian tax authorities opposed it. His income in July 1980 totalled US$456,604 (US$1,704,781 in 2021 dollars) and his tax, legal, and accounting bills totalled US$469,546 (US$1,753,101 in 2021 dollars). Orr was once said to be "fixed for life" and rejecting his investment recommendations, according to Eagleson, who had previously said Orr was 'fixed for life' and 'living beyond his means.' Orr split with Eagleson on April 1, 1980. Eagleson decided to buy various Orr's assets for US$6,039,039,039,039,039,039,039,047) in 2021 dollars, including his Orr-Walton Hockey Camp, which paid off Orr's mortgage loans worth US$450,000 (US$1,479,947) of Orr's 2021 dollars).

Orr served as an assistant coach for Chicago for a brief period of time, as well as a consultant to the NHL and the Hartford Whalers. The Black Hawks balked at paying him the full amount of his service, and Orr brought them to court, collecting US$450,000 (US$1,224,307 in 2021 dollars), one-third of the money owed him in 1983. Of this, US$200,000 (US$544,136) was paid to taxes and court fees. Orr returned to Boston to form Can-Am Enterprises with partners Tom Kelly and Paul Shanley, which established Can-Am Enterprises, which helped Orr gain a following of endorsements, including Baybank and Standard Brands. Orr's finances were eventually recovered thanks to consulting contracts and public relations.

Orr later assisted in the uncovered of Eagleson's sexual abuse over the years. He once regarded Eagleson as a "big brother" but parted with him in 1980 because he suspected that Eagleson had not been honest with him. Eagleson misappropriated NHLPA funds to enrich himself, in addition to misleading his customers on contract terms. Orr was one of many players to file a formal complaint of legal misconduct against Eagleson over his pledge of trust funds without authorization or knowledge of his customers. Eagleson was found guilty of fraud, embezzlement, and racketeering in 1998. Orr was one of eighteen former players who threatened to resign from the Hockey Hall of Fame if Eagleson was not banned as a builder after the indictment. Eagleson resigned rather than facing a near-certain dismissal.

Orr was also involved in the 1991 trial of former NHL players against the NHL for the players' pension fund's control. Eagleson was also involved in the campaign for the players to abandon the pension fund in 1969 in order to secure the NHLPA's recognition. The debate was discussed by Orr and ex-Bruin Dave Forbes of the Sports Journal The National. Orr: "Our money is being used to pay pensions for current players." The NHL's retaliation request was to file a note of libel and slander against Orr and Forbes. In a letter to then-NHL president John Ziegler, Carl Brewer defended Orr: "It is regrettable that the NHL and the member clubs would resort to such treatment of one of our game's most popular characters, Bobby Orr." And isn't it surprising that baseball players who initiated their pension scheme in 1947, as well as the NHL, have funds under their program of $500,000, but we, as far as we can tell, have US$31.9 million." After two courts ruled against the NHL, the pension case was eventually decided by the players in 1994. The NHL had appealed the matter to the Supreme Court of Canada, but the court declined not to hear the lawsuit.

Orr was the agent for a hockey team in 1996. Orr acquired the Woolf Associates company, which was also funded by Boston lawyer Bob Woolf. Orr sold an investment in the Lowell Lock Monsters minor pro hockey team and broke his links with a credit card company that had a deal with the NHLPA to avoid conflicts of interest. Orr has been a licensed agent, but he will not be negotiating with hockey clubs. In 2000, player agent Rick Curran joined Orr's. Curran and Orr, as well as partner Paul Krepelka, incorporated the organization as Orr Hockey Group in February 2002.

Jeff Carter, Steve Downie, Taylor Hall, Nathan Horton, Connor McQuaid, Colton Orr (no relation), Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza, Jordan Staal, Marc Staal, and Cam Ward are among the group's notable NHL players, including Jeff Carter, Steve Downie, Nathan Horton, Nathan Horton, Nathan Horton, Adam McDavid, Colton Orr (no relation), Kevin McDavid, Patrick McQuaid, Spezza continued to speculate about Orr's service as an agent, but replied: "I don't think I have a realistic idea of how great he is." I have so much respect for him. I'm sure he was on tapes, but it's just ridiculous how good he was compared to the guys he was playing against. He's a fantastic guy, but you may not even know it's Bobby Orr, the way he talks to you."

Orr has worked with a team of top Canadian Hockey League junior players against a similar squad coached by Don Cherry in the annual CHL Top Prospects Game. Orr was the best hockey player everborn, according to Cherry, who briefly worked in Boston, and he believes he was a superb all-around player who could skate, score, fight, and defend. Orr's teams have won the majority of the games as of 2010, winning seven out of eleven times Orr has coached against Cherry. When Orr was a player's agent and he stopped coaching in the series, he was branded a point of interest. Orr's coordinators were convinced to return to coaching in the series. He stepped down again for the birth of his second grandchild in 2011. One of the teams remained named 'Team Orr.'

Orr has played in a number of ceremonial first puck drops with the Bruins, including at the 2010 NHL Winter Classic with Bobby Clarke, between the Bruins and the Flyers. Orr and Milt Schmidt dropped the ceremonial puck at the Boston Bruins' first home game of the season on October 20, 2016.

Orr: My Story, Orr's long-awaited autobiography, debuted at number 8 on The New York Times best seller list for nonfiction on November 3, 2013.

Career achievements

Despite playing only 12 seasons and 657 games (of which only his first nine seasons, totalling 621 games), and only playing 47 NHL games since his 27th birthday, Orr set many records and achievements down the list below, many of which are still exist today and are listed below.

As of the end of the 2018–19 season:

Source