Former Bruin And Two-Time Cup Winner Fred Stanfield Passes Away At 77

By: Evan Michael | Follow me on Twitter @00EvanMichael

The Boston Bruins family is mourning the loss of former player and team leader Fred Stanfield who passed away on Monday at the age of 77.

In a statement released by the team, the B’s organization shared his career accomplishments while playing for the Black N’ Gold for six-and-a-half seasons:

“Stanfield was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in 1967 in one of the most famous trades in National Hockey League history. In May of that year, he was traded to Boston along with Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge in exchange for Gilles Marcotte, Pit Martin, and Jack Norris, setting the tone for the Bruins’ dominant run through the early 1970s.

The 5-foot-10, 177-pounder centered the B’s second line between Hall of Famer Johnny Bucyk and beloved winger Johnny ‘Pie’ McKenize, while also contributing to Boston’s potent power play as the point man.

Stanfield scored 20 or more goals in all six of his seasons with the Bruins with his best campaign coming in 1971-72 when he notched 79 points (23 goals, 56 assists) in 78 games. The pivot added 16 points and seven goals during the postseason to help pace Boston to the Stanley Cup.

He also finished fourth in the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (most gentlemanly player) voting that season. Stanfield won the B’s famed 7^th Player Award in 1970-71 when he notched 76 points and 24 goals in 75 games and finished ninth in the NHL in scoring.

His 274 assists with the Bruins still rank 20th in team history.

Stanfield was traded to the Minnesota North Stars for goalie Gilles Gilbert in May 1973.

Overall, Stanfield collected 616 points (211 goals, 405 assists) in 914 NHL games for the Blackhawks, Bruins, North Stars, and Sabres from 1964-1978.”

Eric Russo, BostonBruins.com

Many fans, friends, journalists and former players, including the @NHLBruinsAlumni account on Twitter, are sharing their memories of No. 17, who won two Stanley Cups playing alongside and centering Johnny “The Chief” Bucyk and Johnny “Pie” McKenzie.

The Toronto native also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota North Stars and Buffalo Sabres and went on to coach for a few years in both the AHL and OHA before retiring from the hockey world and becoming an active member of both the Bruins and NHL Alumni Associations.

If you’re from the generation of Orr and Espo who remembers some of the highlights Stanfield brought to the B’s and to the city of Boston, please share them below in the comments!