Bruins Captain History: David Pastrnak Joins Impressive List of Boston Leaders

David Pastrnak has become the latest in a distinguished line of Boston Bruins captains, joining an impressive list of the franchise's legendary leaders. Since the inception of the team in the 1924-25 season, the Bruins have named a total of 17 captains. Sprague Cleghorn was the inaugural captain from 1925-1928, followed by Lionel Hitchman from 1928-1931.

George Owen and Dit Clapper both served as captains in 1932-1933, while Marty Barry led the team from 1934-1935. Nels Stewart was the captain from 1935-1936, Eddie Shore from 1936-1937, and Red Beattie from 1937-1939. Cooney Weiland led the Bruins in 1939-1944, Bill Cowley in 1945-1946, and Jack Crawford from 1946-1947. Bobby Bauer followed from 1947-1954, Milt Schmidt from 1954-1955, Ed Sandford from 1955-1961, Ferny Flaman from 1961-1963, Don McKenney from 1963-1966, Leo Boivin from 1966-1967, and Johnny Bucyk from 1967-1973.

No captain was appointed from 1973-1977, followed by Johnny Bucyk again from 1977-1983. Wayne Cashman led the team from 1983-1985, Terry O'Reilly from 1985-1988, and Rick Middleton from 1985-2000. Ray Bourque was the captain from 2000-2001, Jason Allison from 2001-2002, and Joe Thornton from 2006-2020. Zdeno Chara took over in 2020 and held the position until 2023, followed by Patrice Bergeron in 2023-2025, Brad Marchand in 2025-2026 and finally, David Pastrnak, who officially became the new captain on Sunday.

Notable Bruins captains include Lionel Hitchman, who won the first Stanley Cup with Boston in 1929, Dit Clapper, who won three Stanley Cups in three different decades, Johnny Bucyk, who won two Stanley Cups in the 1970s, Ray Bourque, the franchise's all-time leader in points, Zdeno Chara, who led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011, Patrice Bergeron, who won the Selke Trophy six times, and Brad Marchand, who helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011.