Bobby Orr’s legend didn’t take long to spark. After notching an assist in his NHL debut, the Boston Bruins’ rookie phenom waited only two more games before lighting the lamp for the first time. The date: October 23, 1966. The setting: a packed Boston Garden ready to witness the beginning of something special.
The Montreal Canadiens entered the third period with a 2-1 lead, but momentum flipped at 4:13, when Orr ripped home an unassisted goal to tie the game 2-2. It was one of three shots he fired at veteran netminder Gump Worsley, who, unfortunately for him, became the answer to a great hockey trivia question: Who allowed Bobby Orr’s first NHL goal?
Boston couldn’t complete the comeback. Jean-Guy Talbot scored the late game-winner at 17:55, a shorthanded tally against Eddie Johnston while Jim Roberts sat for tripping. Earlier, Pit Martin had given Boston its first goal on a power play in the opening period.
For Orr, though, the night marked the start of a remarkable scoring journey. He finished his rookie year with 13 goals, capturing the Calder Trophy, and ultimately produced 270 career goals across 657 games, despite injuries cutting his career short. His peak came in 1974-75, when he scored an incredible 46 goals from the blue line. He added 26 playoff goals and helped bring two Stanley Cups to Boston.
