A logo choice can tie the past to the present. In 1976 the Bruins bring the bear back to their sweaters, this time in an accent role.
A Bruin head is featured on the yoke, with the dawn of another great Boston defenseman on the horizon. In 1979 Ray Bourque is picked 8th by the Bruins. He goes on to win five Norris Trophies.
But Bourque begins his career donning the number of another franchise great, Phil Esposito. It’s not until the day of Espo’s number retirement ceremony that a plan is hatched.
Bourque skates to center ice and removes his sweater, revealing his new number: 77.
He tells Esposito: “This should’ve never been anybody’s but yours.” In this moment, with the Bruin looking on from his shoulder, Ray Bourque makes a connection with a legend of the past.