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By: Steve McClure | Follow me on Twitter / X @stmcclure1993

Former Bruin star Jean Ratelle is celebrating his 84th birthday today. The hall-of-fame center played for the Bruins from 1975 through 1981 and also served the organization as an assistant coach and a scout after his playing career ended.

Ratelle served fifteen seasons with the New York Rangers before becoming involved in one of the bigger blockbuster trades in NHL history early in his sixteenth season with the club. He was shipped to Boston, along with fellow hall-of-famer Brad Park, for franchise star Phil Esposito, and defensemen Carol Vadnais and Joe Zanussi. Three hall-of-famers changed teams in the mega-deal, and both franchises benefited from the change.

The 6-1 center made an immediate impact in Boston, producing at a 31-59-90 clip in just 67 games. He was named the NHL’s 1975-76 Lady Byng Trophy winner for ‘sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability’—his second Lady Byng Trophy in five years. A responsible center defensively, his two-way skills earned him Hart Trophy considerations at season’s end; he secured eleven votes overall but was well behind runaway-winner Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia (246 votes).

The gentlemanly and venerable veteran shined in Boston. Though he was in the twilight of his illustrious career, Ratelle scored 30+ goals twice and 25+ in three other seasons for the Bruins. ‘Ratty’, as he was known to teammates, was not a highlight-reel type of player, but he was a first-line center who could be counted on to consistently produce at an elite level. He accumulated 56 points for Boston over the course of 58 playoff games and led them to two Stanley Cup final appearances. 

Groin and shoulder problems hampered Ratelle during both of his final two seasons with the Bruins. Without regrets—prior to the 1981-82 season—at the age of 41, Ratelle decided to hang up the skates and perform assistant coach duties under head coach—and former teammate—Gerry Cheevers instead. 

Ratelle was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2017 ‘Ratty’ was named by the NHL as one of its “100 Greatest Players.” He was named to the Bruins’ ‘All-Centennial Team’ in 2023. Let’s celebrate one of the Boston Bruins’ all-time stars. Happy 84th birthday, Jean Ratelle!