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By: Andrew Lindroth | Follow me on Twitter @andrewlindrothh

Happy 53rd Birthday To Former Boston Bruins Defenceman Bob Beers!

Bob Beers was born on May 20th, 1967, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began playing juniors as an 18-year-old defenceman for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres (NYJHL) in 1985 after being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the tenth-round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. After playing one season in juniors, the 6’0, 200-pound defenceman committed to the University of Maine to further his education and play for Maine (H-East) from 1986-1989. Beers played in 113 games for Maine and amassed 64 points, showcasing his offensive abilities. After graduating, Beers was assigned to the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Maine Mariners (AHL).

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In 1989-1990, Beers began to develop with the Maine Mariners (AHL) and had a successful freshman campaign, appearing in 74 games and racking up 7-36-43 numbers. He was rewarded by getting the call-up to the Bruins for his first National Hockey League action in 1990, playing three games and recording his first NHL point during that time. In the next two seasons, Beers split his time between the Maine Mariners (AHL) and the Bruins, suiting up in 47 games with the Bruins and collecting just six assists with a -21 rating. Although he showed signs of being a reliable, offensive-minded defenceman, Beers struggled to find his rhythm offensively and defensively with the Bruins.

During the 1992-1993 season, Beers played just six games for the Providence Bruins (AHL) before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Stephane Richer. Following the trade, Beers was given an instant promotion to the big club and played in 64 games for Tampa, finishing with a stat line of 12-24-36. The following season, he appeared in just 16 games with Tampa before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Chris Joseph. Beers didn’t miss a beat, suiting up for Edmonton in 66 games and finishing the 1993-1994 season with 11-32-43 numbers and 86 PIM split between both teams.

Beers’ contract with Edmonton expired after the 1993-1994 season and was due to hit the free-agency market. After a few weeks of phone calls with different NHL teams, the defenseman decided to ink a two-year deal with the New York Islanders. Unfortunately, during the 1994-1995 campaign, the Islanders had to deal with their first serious injury of the season when Beers took a puck to the face during a training camp, suffering multiple face fractures and hyphema (blood in the right eye), limiting him to playing in only 22 games that season.

The following season, Beers suited up for only 13 games with the Islanders before being placed on waivers to be sent to the International Hockey League to play for their minor-pro affiliate, Utah Grizzlies (IHL). Beers were determined to overcome the severe injury he had suffered in 1995 and had a successful campaign with the Utah Grizzlies (IHL), appearing in 65 games and posting 6-36-42 numbers.

After his time with Edmonton expired in 1996, the 29-year-old defenceman was set to hit the free-agency market again. This time, Beers inked a deal with the team who originally drafted him, the Boston Bruins. After returning to Boston, Beers played in what eventually would be his final 27 games in the NHL, collecting three goals and seven points before being sent down to play for the Providence Bruins (AHL) for the remainder of the year.

He continued to play for the Bruins organization in Providence until his contract with the Bruins expired in 1999 but then agreed to terms with the Providence Bruins as a free agent in 1999. He went on to play just 13 games with Providence that season before officially announcing his retirement from the hockey world.

Throughout his eight-year career in the NHL, Beers suited up for 258 games and posted 28-79-107 numbers. After retiring, he became a color analyst and is now serving his 20th year as a radio color analyst for the Boston Bruins on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Beers have also worked with the national NHL radio during the playoffs, and he is a regular contributor to Bruins coverage on Comcast SportsNet as well. Happy Birthday, Bob Beers!

Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 179 that we recorded below on 5-17-20! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher!

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