Guide Note

The Boston Bruins play in the Northeast Division of the NHL's Eastern Conference.

The franchise was originally founded in 1923 in Boston by paying a reported $15,000 entry fee into the NHL. Their first few seasons were less than successful, failing to reach the playoffs their first two seasons.

Shortly after the team was founded, Art Ross was hired as head coach, general manager and vice president. Ross led the team to their first Stanley Cup Championship in 1929, defeating the New York Rangers in the finals. The team finished in first place in their division eight times over the next 12 seasons, including two additional championships in 1939 and 1941. Ross retired in 1945 and was one of the first 12 ever inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the same year.

The Bruins fell into quite a slump starting in the 1959-60 season. They failed to qualify for the playoffs eight consecutive seasons, finally making the post season in 1968 only to be swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round.

Following the 1967 NHL expansion, the Bruins began to have success once again. They returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 1970, defeating the St. Louis Blues to win the championship in four games. They matched this feat again in 1972, winning the championship over the New York Rangers in six games.

The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Finals in both 1988 and 1990 but were unsuccessful in each attempt. Over the last decade they have only reached the playoffs five times, losing in the first round each year.

Fast Facts

1. Inaugural season: 1924
2. Finals appearances: 17
3. Stanley Cups: 5 (last in 1972)
4. Home: TD Banknorth Garden Boston