Bruins have hat trick of honors to hail the 'Chief'

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02/13/2007 -

BOSTON (AP) -The Boston Bruins completed the hat trick for John ``Chief'' Bucyk on Tuesday night, giving the Hall of Fame forward a third night in his honor to commemorate his 50th anniversary with the team.

The last Bruins captain to skate with the Stanley Cup, Bucyk was given a gold watch by current captain Zdeno Chara before Boston's game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Bruins played with Bucyk's No. 9 on their jerseys, and highlights from his career were shown during the game.

``It's very exciting. I never thought there was another thing they could do for me,'' Bucyk said. ``I've had two nights already, they had my number retired, I'm in the Hall of Fame and now this.''

Bucyk was also honored in 1968, when the team feared he might have to retire because of a back injury. But he stuck around and, along with Bobby Orr, led the Bruins to the 1970 and '72 Stanley Cup championships.

``The 1970 Cup. To me that was the highlight of my career as a player,'' he said. ``You wait, and you want your name on the Cup. That was a great honor, and being the captain I was the one who accepted it and was the one who skated around the rink with it.''

Bucyk retired as the team's leading scorer, a mark that was surpassed by defenseman Ray Bourque in 1997. The Chief remains Boston's goal scoring leader, compiling 16 seasons of 20 or more goals, receiving two Lady Byng Trophies, and appearing in seven NHL All-Star Games. He was the fifth NHL player to score 50 goals with 100 points in a season.

A second night was dedicated to him in 1980, when his No. 9 was retired; a year later, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

On Tuesday, Bucyk was back on the ice for a pregame ceremony. This time while wearing a full Indian headdress.

``Hail to the Chief'' was played on the organ in recognition of the nickname Bucyk was given by teammate Bronco Horvath when he was breaking in during the 1950s. Bucyk shook hands and posed with former Bruins stars Johnny McKenzie, Terry O'Reilly, Cam Neely, and Bourque.

Bucyk played for the Bruins from 1957-78, worked in the broadcast booth and is now the team's road service coordinator. He has also been active in community service through the Boston Bruins Alumni Association.

``I am really enjoying this season. I hope and I think it will happen - that this team will turn around,'' he said. ``Still, we have a lot of time to make (the) playoffs. I hope they can string some games together and get us back there into the playoffs. I think the wheel will turn.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Football Betting Lines

The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.

Bet NFL Sports Lines

Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.

Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.

A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.

Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.

Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.

And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.

2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win

Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1

Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1

Donald Brown (IND) 5/1

Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1

Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1

Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1

Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1

Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1

Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1

Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1

Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1

Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1

Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1

Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1

Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1

Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1

LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1

Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1

Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1

Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1

Jason Smith (STL) 40/1

Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1

Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1

Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1

Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2

Pat White (MIA) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 9/1

Betting Line

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