{"id":131967,"date":"2022-09-10T09:51:55","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T13:51:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=131967"},"modified":"2022-09-09T21:14:35","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T01:14:35","slug":"ultimate-bruin-cam-neely-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/09\/10\/ultimate-bruin-cam-neely-career\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Bruin: Cam Neely\u2019s Career"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boston Bruins<\/a> traded veteran Barry Pederson<\/a> to the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> in June of 1986 and at the time, without knowing it, received a future franchise icon in return. A 21-year-old, by the name of Cam Neely<\/a>, was sent back to Boston along with a 1st round<\/a> draft pick. \u00a0The ultimate member of the Boston Bruins quickly became a franchise cornerstone. The Boston Bruins and Cam Neely are now synonymous with one another. His number eight hangs from the TD Garden rafters with other Bruins legends. Take a look back at Cam Neely\u2019s career as a player and what he did that made him an icon in Boston forever.<\/p>\n

A Look Back At Cam Neely\u2019s Career<\/h2>\n

Early Days<\/h3>\n

Neely was born June 6, 1965, in Comox, British Columbia. He grew up in both Maple Ridge, BC and Moosejaw, Saskatchewan where his father served in the Royal Canadian Air Force.<\/p>\n

The 6\u20191 right wing played minor hockey with the Ridge Meadows Hockey Association. Neely played Midget \u201cAAA\u201d for Ridge Meadows Lightning in 1981-82 and posted phenomenal offensive numbers. He scored 73 goals and 68 assists for 141 points in 64 games played. He added 134 penalty minutes with his physical style of play. His Midget season put him on the radar of the Portland Winterhawks, where he suited up for the following season.<\/p>\n

Portland Winterhawks and Cam Neely\u2019s Career in the WHL<\/h3>\n

Following his successful season in Midget, Neely found himself playing junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. He played the 1982-83 season with the Portland Winterhawks.<\/p>\n

Neely continued his impressive scoring touch posting 56 goals and 64 assists for 120 points in 72 regular season games. Portland was the host of the Memorial Cup that season and Neely helped guide them to win their first championship. He added 9 goals and 11 assists in 14 playoff games.<\/p>\n

After his rookie junior season, the powerhouse prospect was drafted 9th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He would begin the 1983-84 season in Portland, however, he played in only 19 games before being called up by the Canucks.<\/p>\n

Despite his short time spent in the WHL, Cam Neely\u2019s career was honoured during the 50th WHL season celebrations. Neely was named the 10th best<\/a> WHL player of all time.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>