Squeeze Play

Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins is seen here on the left, along with his teammate, Wayne Cashman, putting the squeeze on the New York Rangers’ Jean Ratelle. In 1972 Ratelle was poised to beat out Bruins’ star, Phil Esposito, for the season scoring title, but was felled by an injury. Only Esposito, Bobby Orr and John Bucyk had before then had scored as many points in league history as Ratelle had managed in his shortened season.

Photo by Manuel V. Rubio from the SPORT Magazine Archive of news wire photographs, appeared in SPORT Magazine on page 43 of the March 1969 issue. For more information about this photograph and others from the SPORT Magazine Collection, contact Robert Patrick at 800-660-7791 or via email, info@lje.com.

Bobby Orr's "Final Audition

Final Audition, 1966 (Bobby Orr)

Edition size 125, archival pigment inkjet print, image 16"x 20"

Having just turned 18, Bobby Orr, the wunderkind from Parry Sound, is caught in the lens of legendary photographer Harold Barkley as he gears up for one of the final rushes of his junior hockey career. Orr's Oshawa Generals (including future Boston Bruin teammate Wayne Cashman, shown here) would lose this game, played at Maple Leaf Gardens, 2-1, and, with it, the Memorial Cup, to the Edmonton Oil Kings in six games. The print is made directly from the original 35 millimeter slide.

Orr inspired the game of hockey with his command of the two-way game, which was unique for a defenseman. Defensemen with goal-scoring ability were not common in the NHL before his arrival. Orr was unique because he could score goals as well, and he influenced countless defensemen who followed him. His speed – most notably a rapid acceleration – and his open-ice artistry electrified fans as he set almost every conceivable record for a defenseman. (from wikipedia.)

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