Your list of best Defenseman in NHL history is only complete with the addition of Ray Bourque

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Sam Walker
August 4, 2023 (11:59 PM)

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Ask many, and their consensus favourite defenseman of-all-time will differ; but a wise decision is a 5'11» 220 lbs., offensive-minded defenseman, who skates beautifully and hits like a truck.

Raymond Bourque, sit's atop many respective lists of legendary NHL defenseman, and rightfully so. Bourque's resume speaks for itself, however, even without his resume taken into consideration - defenseman who do the things, and achieve the accolades of a Ray Bourque, leave a lasting impression on fans, coaches and teammates. Bourque was a defenseman, who, followed in the foot-steps of a legendary Bosto Bruins defenseman.

Drafted eighth overall in the 1979 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins, Ray Bourque put the pressure on himself right out-of-the-gate - acknowledging the expectations garnered by his stats, and where he was selected in the draft. Number four - Bobby Orr is/was and always will be recognized and known as one of, if not the best defenseman to ever play the game, and another defenseman coming into the organization with big numbers in junior was an endearing addition. The rookie Bruins defenseman made his NHL debut during the season and the rest is history.

Through four seasons in the QMJHL, split between the Trois Rivieres Draveurs (1976-77 season, 39 games - three goals, 29 assists for 32 points - the Sorel Eperviers (1976-77 season, 30 games - nine goals, 16 assists for 25 points - Bourque's final two seasons in the �Q' were spent from 1977-78 through to 1978-79 (he captained the 78-79 Verdun Eperviers team) playing in 135 games with the Eperviers, Bourque put up 44 goals, 128 assists for 172 points. In total, Bourque played 204 QMJHL games, scoring 56 goals, 164 assists for 220 points.

Forever recognized as a legendary Bruins defenseman, Bourque was never able to win a Stanley Cup in Boston, throughout his years in beantown. Bourque does have some incredible numbers, that are mind-boggling for a defenseman, and his number 77 hangs from the rafters of TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts and the Pepsi Center in Denver Colorado. The latter of which - is where Bourque would move on to at the tail-end of his career, finally adding the crowned-jewel onto a legendary, hall of fame career. Joe Sakic, Captain of the Avalanche handed the Stanley Cup to Bourque first; providing a legendary photo for all Ray Bourque fans to sought-out for their memoribilia collection.

After 22 NHL seasons, 1,612 games, 410 goals, 1,169 assists Ray Bourque won his first Stanley Cup in his final NHL game - The 2000 Stanley Cup Final, retiring after adding Lord Stanley's holy grail to his brilliant resume.

Bourque's resume breaks down like this.

* 1979-1980
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Most Assists by Rookie (48)
* NHL Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy)
* NHL Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy) Finalist
*
* 1980-1981
* NHL Second All-Star Team
*
* 1981-1982
* Canada Cup Runner-Up
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
*
* 1982-1983
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL Playoffs Most Assists by Defenseman (15)
* NHL Playoffs Most Goals by Defenseman (8)
* NHL Playoffs Most Points by Defenseman (23)
* NHL Second All-Star Team
*
* 1983-1984
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
*
* 1984-1985
* Canada Cup Champion
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
*
* 1985-1986
* NHL Second All-Star Team
*
* 1986-1987
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy)
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Most Assists by Defenseman (72)
* NHL Most Goals by Defenseman (23)
* NHL Most Points by Defenseman (95)
* NHL Most Valuable Player (Hart Trophy) Finalist
*
* 1987-1988
* Canada Cup All-Star Team
* Canada Cup Champion
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy)
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Playoffs Most Assists by Defenseman (18)
* NHL Playoffs Most Points by Defenseman (21)
*
* 1988-1989
* NHL Second All-Star Team
*
* 1989-1990
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy)
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Most Valuable Player (Hart Trophy) Finalist
* NHL Playoffs Most Assists by Defenseman (12)
* NHL Playoffs Most Goals by Defenseman (5)
* NHL Playoffs Most Points by Defenseman (17)
*
* 1990-1991
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy)
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Playoffs Most Assists by Defenseman (18)
* NHL Playoffs Most Goals by Defenseman (7)
* NHL Playoffs Most Points by Defenseman (25)
*
* 1991-1992
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Leadership-Humanitarian Award (King Clancy Trophy)
*
* 1992-1993
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
*
* 1993-1994
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy)
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Most Points by Defenseman (91)
*
* 1994-1995
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL Second All-Star Team
*
* 1995-1996
* NHL All-Star Game MVP
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Most Goals by Defenseman (20)
*
* 1998-1999
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL Most Assists by Defenseman (47)
* NHL Second All-Star Team
*
* 1999-2000
* NHL Playoffs Most Points by Defenseman (9)
*
* 2000-2001
* NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist
* NHL First All-Star Team
* NHL Stanley Cup Champion
*
* 2002-2003
* NHL Contribution to U.S. Hockey (Lester Patrick Trophy)
*
* 2004-2005
* Hockey Hall of Fame

Statistics provided by - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/19141/raymond-bourque

Bourque is an esteemed member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, earning the distinct honour in 2004-05. He also holds the top spot for NHL defenseman points. Here's the top 10 highest scoring defenseman in NHL history.

Top-10 point scoring defenseman in the NHL's history:

1. Ray Bourque (1,612 games, 410 goals, 1,169 assists for 1,579 points)

2. Paul Coffey (1,409 games, 396 goals, 1,135 assists for 1,531 points)

3. Al MacInnis (1,416 games, 340 goals, 934 assists for 1,232 points)

4. Phil Housley (1,495 games, 338 goals, 894 assists for 1,232 points)

5. Larry Murphy (1,615 games, 288 goals, 929 assists for 1,217 points)

6. Niklas Lidstrom (1,564 games, 264 goals, 878 assists for 1,142 points

7. Denis Potvin (1,060 games, 310 goals, 742 assists for 1,052 points)

8. Brian Leetch (1,205 games, 247 goals, 781 assists for 1,028 points)

9. Larry Robinson (1,384 games, 208 goals, 750 assists for 958 points)

10. Chris Chelios (1,651 games, 185 goals, 763 assists for 948 points)

The five honourable mentions are Bobby Orr (657 games, 270 goals, 645 assists for 915 points), Scott Stevens (1,635 games, 196 goals, 712 assists for 908 points ), Brad Park (1,113 games, 213 goals, 683 assists for 896 points), Gary Sutter (1,145 games, 203 goals, 641 assists for 844 points) and Doug Wilson (1,024 games, 237 goals, 590 assists for 827 points).