On December 1st the Boston Bruins laced up their skates to play against the Montreal Canadiens. But this game was different, they were celebrating their centennial  anniversary of the team’s first game ever played. 100 years ago on December 1st 1924 the Boston Bruins played their first ever game against the Montreal Maroons. Now, on December 1st 2024 the Boston Bruins played their centennial game and secured a win against the Montreal Canadiens, with a score of 6-3 that night. 2 goals each were scored by Charlie McAvoy and Charlie Coyle, and 1 goal each from David Pastrnak and Cole Koepke. 

The Boston Bruins were founded in 1924 and have a long history, having won the Stanley Cup six times. They won their first championship title in 1929 and their most recent in 2011. They are tied in fourth for the most Stanley cup wins with the Chicago Blackhawks and they are tied in second for the most wins as a US-based NHL team. Throughout their years of hockey the Bruins have won six conference championships, thirty division championships, they led the league in points fifteen times and have made an appearance in 77 playoffs along with their six Stanley Cup wins. The Bruins are a part of the first original six NHL teams along with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Wings and New York Rangers. The team also made strides in more than just the world of hockey, having been the first NHL team to debut a African American player when Willie O’Ree took the ice for the first time in 1958.

The Bruins are lead by captain Brad Marchand and is the 27th captain of the team, he has been playing left wing for the Bruins since the 2009-2010 season after being drafted 71st in the 2006 NHL draft. But he made his debut as a Bruin on October 21st, 2009 and he helped secure a 3-2 win against Nashville on Boston ice. Along with Marchand the Bruins have two alternate captains Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak. Pastrnak has been right wing for Boston since 2014. He was drafted 25th overall in the 2014 NHL draft and made his debut shortly after. Charlie McAvoy is the most recent addition to the team out of the captains. He’s been playing for the Bruins since the 2017 NHL season. McAvoy was selected 14th overall in the first round of the 2016 draft. Then he made his debut in the teams season opener against the Nashville Predators and he has been a strong defensemen ever since.

Guarding the net for the Bruins is Jeremy Swayman. Who is a 26 year old goalie from Alaska. Swayman joined the Bruins in 2020 after being selected 111th in the fourth round of  the 2017 NHL draft. Swayman made his Boston debut on April 6th 2021 after former goalie Tuukka Rask was out with an upper body injury and former backup goalie Jaroslav Halak tested positive for COVID-19. During his first game Sway made 40 saves and helped the Bruins win 4-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The atmosphere of a Bruins game is nothing short of a good time. The crowd is super into it whether you’re sitting in the nosebleeds or right up to the glass. The city of Boston has always shown up for their hockey team and the support for this team is undeniable whenever you make your way into Boston. So next time you’re in Boston stop by TD Garden to catch a game or pick up a jersey to support your favorite player and celebrate 100 years of the Boston Bruins!