IMAGE INFORMATION
EditRichard David "Rick" Middleton - Born December 4, 1953 in Toronto, Ontario is a Canadian/American retired ice Hockey right winger, coach, radio commentator and studio analyst.
- Red Tilson Trophy Winner 1973 with Oshawa Generals.
- Dudley 'Red' Garrett Memorial Award Winner 1974 with Providence Reds.
- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Winner 1982 with Boston Bruins.
- 1984 Canada Cup Champion with Team Canada.
- Prince of Wales Trophy Champion 1988 with Boston Bruins.
- Winter Olympics Gold Medal Champion 2002 with Team USA Sledge Hockey Team (coach).
Stanley Cup finalist 1977, 1978, 1988.
Middleton played in the 1966 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice Hockey team from Wexford, Toronto.
Middleton played his junior Hockey with Toronto Young Nationals and Oshawa Generals.
Middleton made his NHL debut with New York Rangers on October 9, 1974 vs Washington Capitals, also scoring his 1st NHL goal vs Ron Low at 1:11 of 3rd period in a 6-3 Rangers win at Madison Square Garden. He had 2 goals in the game.
Middleton scored his 1st NHL hat-trick vs Gary Simmons of California Golden Seals on November 17, 1974 at Madison Square Garden in a 10-0 Rangers win. he had 4 goals in the game, his 1st being the game winner.
The Rangers traded Middleton to Boston Bruins on May 26, 1976. Middleton would score 3 goals in his debut with the Bruins on NHL opening night October 7, 1976 vs Minnesota.
Middleton would become a legend for the Bruins, scoring 40 goals or more in 5 straight seasons and a career high 51 goals in 1981-82, winning the Lady Byng Trophy that season. He also had 2 seasons with 100 points or more (103 in 1980-81 and 105 in 1983-84).
Middleton helped the Bruins reach the Stanley Cup finals in 1977, 1978 and 1988.
Middleton was co-captain of the Bruins from 1985-88 with Ray Bourque to his retirement in 1988.
Middleton played in 1005 regular season NHL games, scoring 448 goals (59 GWG / 1 OTG), 540 assists with 157 penalty minutes and 114 NHL playoff games, scoring 45 goals (8 GWG / 2 OTG), 55 assists with 19 penalty minutes.
Middleton played in NHL All-Star Games 1981, 1982, 1984.
The Boston Bruins retired his jersey #16 on November 29, 2018.
Middleton represented Canada at the 1981 and 1984 Canada Cup tournaments.
Rick Middleton was inducted into Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame in 2005
Rick Middleton was inducted into Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.
Rick Middleton was inducted into United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2022.
NOTE
Middleton holds the NHL record for playoff points in 1 playoff series with 19 points (5 goals) vs Buffalo Sabres in 1983.
