Rick Middleton

For the American football player, see Rick Middleton (American football).

Rick Middleton

Born	(1953-12-04) December 4, 1953 Toronto, ON, CAN
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	New York Rangers Boston Bruins
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	14th overall, 1973 New York Rangers
WHA Draft	21st overall, 1973 Minnesota Fighting Saints
Playing career	1974–1988

Richard David "Nifty" Middleton (born December 4, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

A right winger, Middleton was drafted in the first round, 14th overall, by the Rangers in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft after a glittering junior career with the Oshawa Generals in which he led his league in scoring his final year and was named to the league's Second All-Star Team. He spent the 1973–74 season with the Rangers' farm team, the AHL Providence Reds, earning rookie of the year honors and being named to the AHL's First All-Star Team.

He made the big club during the 1974–75 season, and despite suffering injuries that restricted him to 47 games, scored 22 goals in that limited time. The following season was not as spectacular, as he scored 24 goals in 77 games while showing defensive deficiencies. Following the 1975–76 season, the Rangers traded Middleton to the Boston Bruins for veteran winger Ken Hodge.

It was one of the most one-sided deals in hockey history. Hodge played only a single season more before his career ended, while Middleton became a great star in Boston, scoring a hat trick in his first game as a Bruin and nearly nine hundred points in a Bruins uniform over the next twelve years. Generally paired with centre Barry Pederson, Middleton had five straight seasons of at least forty goals and ninety points and led the Bruins to perennial glittering records. His leadership was apparent in being named co-captain (with Ray Bourque) to succeed Terry O'Reilly in 1985, a position he held until he retired, wearing the "C" during home games. Regarded as one of the best one on one players of all time and currently ranks #2 all time in career shooting percentage (19.7) among players with 400+ goals.

His best season was the 1981–82 season, during which Middleton scored a career high 51 goals, won the Lady Byng Trophy for excellence and sportsmanship, and was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team. The following season he led the Bruins to the league's best regular season record, and set still unbroken records that year for the most points scored in the playoffs by a player not advancing to the finals (33) and for a single playoff series (19, in the quarterfinals against Buffalo). His 105 points in the 1983–84 season tied Ken Hodge's team record for most points scored in a season by a right winger, and remains unbroken.

Middleton also starred in international play, being named to play for Team Canada in the Canada Cup in 1981 and 1984. Teamed on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Michel Goulet in the 1984 series, he scored four goals and four assists in seven games. Further, Middleton played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1981, 1982 and 1984.

NHL Records

Most points in one playoff series (19)
Most assists in one playoff series (14)

Retirement

In the 1986 season, Middleton was struck by a puck on the temple in practice, and missed the remainder of the season and playoffs with a concussion. Although he wore a helmet thereafter and recovered enough to score 31 goals the following year, he had recurring headaches for the rest of his career, and retired following the 1988 season.

He retired with 448 goals and 540 assists for 988 points in 1005 games, and added 100 points in 114 playoff games.

He is currently the President of Boston Bruins Alumni and a partner in Orlanda Energy Systems. Rick recently joined forces with New England High School Sports Showcases and will run high school hockey showcases beginning in June 2014.

NESN

Middleton was a studio analyst for New England Sports Network (NESN) which covers the Boston Bruins from 2002–2007.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1971–72	Oshawa Generals	OHA-Jr.	53	36	34	70	24	12	5	5	10	2
1972–73	Oshawa Generals	OHA-Jr.	62	67	70	137	14	—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Providence Reds	AHL	63	36	48	84	14	15	9	6	15	2
1974–75	New York Rangers	NHL	47	22	18	40	19	3	0	0	0	2
1975–76	New York Rangers	NHL	77	24	26	50	14	—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Boston Bruins	NHL	72	20	22	42	2	13	5	4	9	0
1977–78	Boston Bruins	NHL	79	25	35	60	8	15	5	2	7	0
1978–79	Boston Bruins	NHL	71	38	48	86	7	11	4	8	12	0
1979–80	Boston Bruins	NHL	80	40	52	92	24	10	4	2	6	5
1980–81	Boston Bruins	NHL	80	44	59	103	16	3	0	1	1	2
1981–82	Boston Bruins	NHL	75	51	43	94	12	11	6	9	15	0
1982–83	Boston Bruins	NHL	80	49	47	96	8	17	11	22	33	6
1983–84	Boston Bruins	NHL	80	47	58	105	14	3	0	0	0	0
1984–85	Boston Bruins	NHL	80	30	46	76	6	5	3	0	3	0
1985–86	Boston Bruins	NHL	49	14	30	44	10	—	—	—	—	—
1986–87	Boston Bruins	NHL	76	31	37	68	6	4	2	2	4	0
1987–88	Boston Bruins	NHL	59	13	19	32	11	19	5	5	10	4
1988–89	EHC Bulach	NDB	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OHA-Jr. totals			115	103	104	207	38	12	5	5	10	2
NHL totals			1005	448	540	988	157	114	45	55	100	19

International

Year	Team	Event	GP	G	A	Pts
1981	Canada	CC	7	1	2	3
1984	Canada	CC	7	4	4	8
Senior totals			14	5	6	11

External links

Preceded by Terry O'Reilly	Boston Bruins captain 1985–88, with Ray Bourque	Succeeded by Ray Bourque
Preceded by Rick Kehoe	Winner of the Lady Byng Trophy 1982	Succeeded by Mike Bossy
Preceded by Bob MacMillan	New York Rangers first round draft pick 1973	Succeeded by Dave Maloney

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