By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
The end of the National Hockey League offseason is in sight as training camp steadily approaches. With this comes the return of some familiar faces and the welcoming of a few new acquisitions. In preparation for the 2026-27 season, the Boston Bruins have officially announced the jersey numbers of their latest additions. This consists of the numbers 10, 17, 49, 75, and 76, which are to be worn by JJ Peterka, Will Borgen, Ivan Ivan, Connor Clifton, and Lukas Reichel, respectively.
As one of the oldest franchises in the National Hockey League, the Bruins organization has boasted over 1,000 players over the 100-plus years that they have existed. Over the course of their expansive history, all of the adopted numbers have already been used, but the newcomers will be hoping to make their own mark and forge a new legacy.
Number 10
JJ Peterka has played under the number 77 throughout his career, with the double sevens mimicking his initials. However, since joining the Bruins from the Utah Mammoth, the forward will be taking number 10 as 77 has been retired in honor of Raymond Bourque. Over the years, 10 has been worn by several notable Bruins, and Peterka will be aiming to rise through the ranks.
One of the best playmakers in hockey history, Bill Cowley wore number 10 for the Bruins for the majority of his career from 1937 to 1947. He regularly commanded the league in assists and was the leader in both assists and points when he retired in 1947. These efforts earned Cowley two Stanley Cup championships, two Hart Memorial Trophies, and five selections to the National Hockey League’s All-Star team. Cowley is often referred to as the Wayne Gretzky of his time, having held the record of 1.97 points per game until Gretzky surpassed him in 1981.
Jean Ratelle also wore the number 10 for the Bruins, having been acquired by a blockbuster trade with the New York Rangers in November 1975. Ratelle proved a valuable center in Boston, scoring over 100 points in his debut season. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy twice and finished in the top five votes nine times, demonstrating his disciplined and gentlemanly play. After his retirement from playing hockey, Ratelle remained in the Bruins organization to serve as an assistant coach and a scout.
Number 17
Will Borgen was acquired in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick. This deal hopes to reduce the shortfall in the Bruins’ roster, which sorely needs right-handed defensemen. Having played under number 17 with the New York Rangers, Borgen will resume wearing the number in Boston.
Stan Jonathan is a fearless player who defines the typical gritty play of the Bruins. His toughness and ferocity quickly made him a fan favorite. Despite being just 5’8” and 175 pounds, Jonathan documented 72 fights and accumulated a total of 751 penalty minutes across his career. His most infamous fight was against Pierre Bouchard during the 1978 Stanley Cup Finals, breaking his opponent’s nose and cheekbone, though he stood six inches taller and weighed 30 pounds heavier.
The Bruins acquired Fred Stanfield in a three-for-three deal with the Chicago Blackhawks that allowed Boston to quickly become a formidable team. He excelled as a reliable two-way center, and while he might have shared the number 17, he represented the opposite of Stan Jonathan. Stanfield was a remarkably clean player, scoring at least 20 goals in all of his six years with the Bruins, though only achieving more than 14 penalty minutes once in his career. During his time in Boston, he won two Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972.
Number 49
Ivan Ivan signed a one-year two-way contract with the Bruins after being traded at the 2026 entry draft in exchange for Fabian Lysell. The 24-year-old will be hoping to provide some much-needed depth to the center position, having achieved nine points (5G, 4A) during his time with the Colorado Avalanche. Despite having used number 82 throughout his career, Ivan will be using 49 in this new start.
Joé Juneau signed with the Bruins shortly after leading Team Canada to silver at the 1992 Albertville Games, racking up a hefty 15 points (6G, 9A). He burst onto the scene with 102 points (32G, 70A) in the same year, serving on a line with Adam Oates and Cam Neely. This marked a league record for assists by a left-winger until then-Florida Panthers’ Jonathan Huberdeau surpassed it in 2022.
Rich Peverley played only three seasons with the Boston Bruins, though he didn’t hesitate to cement his legacy. In 2011, he won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins, and his name was etched in silver. He totaled 42 points (11G, 31A) in the regular season and 12 points (4G, 8A) in the Finals.
Number 75
Connor Clifton will be reprising his old number in his grand return to the Boston Bruins. His second stint hopes to mark a continuation of his time in black and gold, though a few other players have also worn number 75 in history.
Hal Gill enjoyed the use of number 75, though he also took on number 25 at different points in his career. He quickly established a strong and physical sense of play with the Bruins as he used his 6’7” height and 240-pound weight to his advantage. Gill achieved a career high of 22 points (4G, 18A) in 2001-02, also claiming the John P. Bucyk Award at the end of the season.
The Bruins signed Colton Orr as a free agent in September 2001, and he made his debut in the National Hockey League two years later, going up against the Washington Capitals. Orr spent most of his time in the Bruins organization playing with the Providence Bruins, totalling up 12 points (2G, 10A) and 543 penalty minutes before being claimed by the New York Rangers on waivers.
Number 76
After a year with the organization, Lukas Reichel will be changing his number. Given Clifton’s return to Boston hockey, Reichel has relinquished 75 and adopted the number one higher. Similar to 75, only a handful of players have ever worn number 76.
Dennis Bonvie was an infamous enforcer, known as the most penalized player in professional hockey history. He racked up a grand total of 4804 penalty minutes during the course of his career. Ironically, his first professional fight in the American Hockey League was against Providence Bruins’ Jamie Huscroft – eight seasons before he joined the Boston franchise. In 2001-02, he achieved 16 points (8G, 8A) and recorded his only points in the National Hockey League with one goal and two assists. He is currently the assistant general manager of the Boston Bruins.
Kris Vernarsky was drafted 51st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2000 entry draft, though he was traded to the Boston Bruins two years later in exchange for Ric Jackman. His debut saw him earn 27 points (12G, 15A) with the Providence Bruins, alongside stepping out into the National Hockey League for the first time. He played 14 games with the Boston Bruins, achieving two penalty minutes alongside his lone goal – a memorable game-winner against the Montreal Canadiens.
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