BOSTON (AP) — Rick Middleton’s No. 16 is headed to the TD Garden rafters.
The Bruins say Middleton’s sweater will be retired by the team on Nov. 29, before its game against the New York Islanders.
Middleton becomes the 11th player in franchise history to have his number retired by Boston. He joins Lionel Hitchman, Aubrey Clapper, Edward Shore, Milton Schmidt, Bobby Orr, John Bucyk, Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, Terence O’Reilly and Cam Neely.
Drafted by the New York Rangers in 1973, Middleton played 12 seasons with the Bruins from 1976 to 1988, compiling 402 goals and 496 assists in 881 games.
His goal total is the third-highest in Bruins history behind Bucyk (545) and Esposito (459).