Hockey Gloves, worn by Bobby Orr

These gloves were worn by NHL defenseman Bobby Orr (b. 1948) while a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Best remembered as a star for the Boston Bruins, Orr did not join the Blackhawks until his final years. While his time in Chicago was undistinguished, it serves as a reminder that even the most venerated professional athletes often play for more than one team over the course of their careers.

In 1966, Canadian teenager Robert "Bobby" Orr signed the richest contract in National Hockey League History to join the Bruins. Orr promptly won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie, and helped to quickly turn the struggling franchises fortunes around, winning Stanley Cups in 1970 & 1972. Orr's 1969-1970 campaign, in which he became the first player to win all four major Hockey Awards; the Norris, Art Ross, Hart and Conn Smythe trophies, is generally regarded as the greatest individual season in league history. Orr's extraordinary offensive prowess revolutionized the role of the defenseman. His exciting style of play promoted his sport, bringing more widespread attention to the NHL.

Following the dubious advice of an agent, Orr signed with the Blackhawks in 1976. Knee injuries limited his effectiveness, and he played in a mere 26 games before retiring shortly after the start of the 1978 season. While Orr's brief stint is Chicago is largely forgotten, his remarkable career has not been; in 1979, the Hockey Hall of Fame waived its rules so that Orr could enter early, making him the youngest player yet enshrined. That same year Orr was awarded the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honor. He has stayed involved in hockey since his retirement.

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