Is Ray Bourque or John Havlicek a Bigger Boston Sports Legend?

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May 16, 2010

Is Ray Bourque or John Havlicek a Bigger Boston Sports Legend? Ray Bourque squares off against John Havlicek in the third round of the Boston’s Biggest Sports Legend tournament.


Is Ray Bourque or John Havlicek a Bigger Boston Sports Legend?2. Ray BourqueNo Bruins player became more loved by the city of Boston than Ray Bourque. The B’s defenseman called the Garden home for 21 seasons and put his heart and soul on the line every night in Black and Gold, but the 16-year captain never was able to raise a Cup for his efforts — until the Bruins dished him off for one final hurrah in Denver. Bourque finished his career with the most points among blue liners in NHL history — 1,579. He also won five Norris Trophies and ranks as the Bruins’ all-time leader in games played (1,518) and points (1,506) and ranks fourth in goals (395). Ray Bourque displayed his class on the night of Dec. 3, 1987, when B’s legend Phil Esposito’s No. 7 was to be retired to the Garden rafters. Bourque relinquished his No. 7 and from then on wore No. 77, so that Esposito’s jersey could be retired into Bruin immortality.

Is Ray Bourque or John Havlicek a Bigger Boston Sports Legend?3. John HavlicekHavlicek stole the ball! It’s all over. … It’s all over! Johnny Havlieck is being mobbed by the fans! It’s all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! Yes, the call still elicits goosebumps, but John Havlicek means much more to Boston than this famous call by the legendary Johnny Most. It takes a lot of skill, endurance and longevity to lead a dynasty, but that’s just what John Havlicek did. Hondo is the Celtics’ all-time leader in points with 26,395 and games with 1,270. A 13-time All-Star, Havlicek retired in 1978, and his No. 17 jersey was immediately retired at the Boston Garden. Six years later, Havlicek was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.


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