Bobby Orr makes history. Again
On this day (May 18th), Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr made history, once again, for breaking his own record he set the previous year.
49 years ago, in 1973, Orr won his sixth consecutive Norris Trophy for the top defenseman in the NHL by breaking his own record of five straight he set in 1972. He broke Doug Harvey's record of four that was set with the Montreal Canadiens from 1955 to 1958. Harvey would have won it eight consecutive years if it wasn't for his own teammate, Tom Johnson, who won it in 1959.
It was also Orr's sixth consecutive season of at least 100 points, but it was his worst offensive one out of all six. He recorded 29 goals and 72 assists for 101 points but only appeared in 63 games. It was sadly Bobby Orr's last "full" season in the NHL, as he only went on the play 36 more career games over the span of three seasons with the Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Orr, of course, had to retire early because of knee problems. It's reported that he had at least 17 surgeries on his knee and maybe even upwards of 21.
The next closest to come to Bobby Orr's record was Niklas Lindstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, who won it three consecutive times on two separate occasions. From 2001 to 2003 and 2006 to 2008.
