Cam Neely is the ultimate Boston Bruin. Character, perseverance, team work, physical play, winning - all can be used to describe both Neely and the B's.
Cam Neely actually started his NHL career with his hometown Vancouver Canucks when they made him their first round selection. Neely probably turned out to be their best first round selection ever. Too bad they traded him away so early in his career.
The trade happened on Neely's 21st birthday. In hindsight it was the best present he probably ever got. The Canucks trade him and a first round pick (Glen Wesley) for Barry Pederson, who at the time was a star in the league but suffered a major injury and never did regain his form. Neely became the fan's favorite.
Cam would score 36, 40, and 38 goals in his first 3 seasons with Boston. He was the ultimate power forward of his time. His hands were as soft as a feather when he handled the puck, yet hard as a rock when handled an enemy. Defensemen feared going back into their corner to chase a loose puck knowing Neely was right behind them.
Cam would go on to record to straight 50 goal seasons before he suffered a major blow to his knee. During the Bruins Conference Final against Pittsburgh, a cheap hit on Cam's thigh began Cam's injury woe's that would plague him for the rest of his tragically shortened career.
Limited to 22 games the next 2 seasons Cam still managed to chip in 20 goals and 10 assists, and added 4 Playoff goals in the '93 playoffs.
Cam returned for the 93-94 season scoring 50 goals for the third time. It took Cam only 44 games to reach the 50 goal plateau, only Wayne Gretzky has done it faster. (Mario Lemieux in the 88-89 season also scored 50 in 44 games.) Cam hurt his knee again shortly after scoring his 50th, and missed the playoffs that season.
Again, Cam went into an extensive rehabilitation program, and returned in the strike shortened season of 94-95 and scored 27 goals in 42 games. The 1995-96 season proved to be Cam's last, as on February 7, 1996 the Boston Bruins suffered perhaps their worst loss in franchise history. They lost to Buffalo in overtime 2-1, but Cam suffered a degenerative hip condition forced Cam into a premature retirement. But not before he had established himself in the hearts of Bruin fans everywhere. Cam played the game the way it was meant to be played. Cam was as devastating with his body checks and fists, as he was with his goal scoring exploits. Cam's intense efforts to come back time and again from devastating injuries were recognized with his winning of the Masterton Trophyafter the 93-94 season. | |
