Wayne Cashman

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Wayne Cashman
Wayne Cashman 1981.JPG
Cashman with the Boston Bruins in 1981
Born (1945-06-24) June 24, 1945 (age 80)
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Left wing [1]
Shot Right [1]
Played for Boston Bruins [1]
Coached for New York Rangers (assistant)
Tampa Bay Lightning (assistant)
San Jose Sharks (assistant)
Philadelphia Flyers
Boston Bruins (assistant)
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Playing career 19651983
Coaching career 19872006

Wayne Cashman (born June 24, 1945) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He played seventeen seasons for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) and helped them win the Stanley Cup twice. He was the last active player who started his NHL career in the Original Six era.

Contents

Early life

Cashman was born in Kingston Ontario Canada on June 24th 1945. His family owned a farm just outside Kingston where he spent his childhood. Cashman began playing hockey at an early age and would listen to hockey on the radio every night. [2]

Playing career

Cashman played junior hockey in the OHA with the Oshawa Generals; one of his teammates was Bobby Orr. During the 1965–66 season, Cashman had a 35 point season in 17 games. He had an even better postseason, having 37 points in 14 games as his side won the Memorial Cup. He also played parts of three seasons in the minor leagues for the Oklahoma City Blazers and the Hershey Bears. During the 1966-67 season, Cashman helped lead the Blazers to Adams cup. He madee the Bruins' squad for good in 1969.

Cashman played his entire NHL career with the Boston Bruins (1964–65, 196783). His jersey number was 12. [3] He was a hard-grinding left winger on the era's most formidable forward line with centre Phil Esposito and right wing Ken Hodge. [4] His role was to get into the corners and battle for loose pucks, and feed them to Esposito or Hodge. He was also a tenacious forechecker and served as an enforcer to protect Esposito and Orr. [5] Esposito has regarded Cashman as underrated and not receiving sufficient credit, saying, "Wayne was the digger. He was the heart and soul of our line. Without a doubt." [6] This has led to him being described as the perfect teammate being and one of the best cornermen in the history of the NHL. [7] Bobby Orr later stated “If you needed him to do something for your team, he could play anywhere you wanted. [8]

Cashman scored his first NHL goal on November 6, 1968 in Boston's 7-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Throughout his career Cashman embodied the Bruins style of grit and determination. Not being afraid to get into the dirty areas and dig hard along the boards. This led to him becoming a fan favorite among Bruins fan, as he developed the nickname ‘Cash’, from his fellow teammates and Bruins fans alike. Throughout his career he also developed a reputation to as a clutch player for the team during the postseason. [9] [10] Also becoming a established leader for team as his career went on. [11]

Cashman was a key member of Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1970 and 1972, and scored twice in the deciding game of the latter finals against the New York Rangers, won by Boston, 3-0. Cashman had his first 20+ goal season in 1971 scoring 79 points in total that year. This started a streak of him scoring 20+ goals in four straight seasons from 1971-1974 when he also incurred 100 or more penalty minutes. In total he scored at least 20 goals 8 times throughout his career. His best statistical season was in 1974, when he finished fourth in the league in points with 89 (30 goals 59 assists) played in the All-Star Game, and was named to the NHL Second All-Star team. That year he joined his teammates Esposito (145), Orr (122) and Hodge (105) where they finished 1–2–3–4 in league scoring this was the second and last time in NHL history the season's top four scorers all played for one team. [12]

In 1972 he played for Team Canada in the first four games of the Summit Series. Before the final four games, at an exhibition game in Sweden, Ulf Sterner's stick got lodged in Cashman's mouth, cutting his tongue open. The injury required 50 stitches and kept him out of the rest of the Summit Series. [13] [14]

On January 21st 1973 Cashman scored his first career hat trick with all 3 goals coming in the second period of a 8-2 victory over the California Golden seals. [15]

During his career Cashman would get into many scraps on the ice, being known as one of the best fighters of his era throwing his signature uppercut. [10] Along with being a playmaker Cashman also served as the Bruins policeman. In the age of "Big Bad Bruins," he was one of the biggest and baddest. If the opposition started to get confrontational with Esposito or Orr, Cashman would be the first to intervene. [10]

Cashman also showed his physical and mental toughness throughout his career, after he crashed into a goal post during the 1972-73 season, he developed a severe back pain however Cashman never let this slow him down. Bruins GM Harry Sinden later stated “I can’t believe there’s ever been a player who had a higher pain tolerance than him,” “I’ve seen him lying on the training room floor 20 minutes before a game for his back. He was constantly in pain and, if we had a game, he was still going out to play. Not in all my years, have I ever seen a player who could tolerate pain like him.” [8]

After only playing in 45 games during the 1974-75 season due to injuries, Cashman made a full comeback the following year playing in all 80 games scoring 28 goals and 71 points. [16]

Cashman with the Boston Bruins in 1981 Wayne Cashman 1981 (2).JPG
Cashman with the Boston Bruins in 1981

He served as the captain of the Bruins from 1977 to 1983. Helping lead the team back to the Stanley cup finals in 1977 and 1978. Even in his later years Cashman still served as a consistent point scorer as the following year in 1978-79 he scored 27 goals and 67 points. He would then play another 4 seasons when he then retired after the Bruins were eliminated from the playoffs in 1983, he was the last active player from the NHL's Original Six era, just beating out Serge Savard, whose team was eliminated in an earlier playoff round. He finished his career with 1,027 games played 277 goals and 516 assists being a reliable player for the team his entire career. He would be the 2nd players in Bruins history to play his 1000th career game and the first to play all 1000 solely in Bruins uniform. He still remains a legendary figure in the city of Boston. [17]

Cashman was later inducted into the Canada sports hall of fame in 2005. [18]

In 2023, he was named one of the top 100 Bruins players of all time. [19] As well as being named to the Bruins all centennial team. [17]

Coaching career

After his retirement as a player, Cashman went into business for himself. However when his old teammate Phil Esposito became general manager of the New York Rangers he hired Cashman as a scout. Then when the Rangers fired their head coach Esposito had Cashman help coach the team, Then when they hired there new head coach Tom Webster he asked Cashman to stay of as a assistant which he did for five seasons. [2] He then served four years as an assistant four for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was appointed head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers for the 1997-98 season and held that post for 61 games until he was replaced by Roger Neilson; he served thereafter as the team's assistant coach. [20] [21] [22] [23] He was also on the coaching staff of Team Canada in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, as an assistant to Marc Crawford. [24] [25] He then returned to Boston as an assistant coach with the Bruins from 2001 until 2006.

Awards and honors

Personal life

Cashman is married to his wife Lynn and now resides in Florida he has two children, a son, Scott, and a daughter, Becky. He also serves as a Grandfather to his two granddaughters. [2] [10]

In 2016 Cashman was honored by the Sports Museum Tradition event in the TD Garden, being given the hockey legacy award. [10]

In late 2024 there was a push among Bruins fans and former players to have Cashman’s number 12 retired. His former teammate Phil Esposito stated “Personally, I think number 12 should be up there for Wayne Cashman, who played for 18 years for that team, was captain for four years, coached the team, and gave his life's blood to the Bruins,”. “He should be up there.” The Bruins alumni organization would discuss the topic with team president Cam Neely however as of 2025 there has been no official decision. [26] [27]

In a somewhat notorious moment, after the Boston Bruins won the 1970 Stanley Cup, Cashman got drunk, and with heavy traffic at a busy intersection, Cashman got out of the back seat of the car he and his teammates had been in and stepped out into an intersection, and started to direct traffic. This resulted in him getting arrested, and using his one phone call to order Chinese food. [28]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1962–63 Kingston Frontenacs EOJHL
1962–63 Oshawa Generals MJrL 10110
1963–64 Oshawa Generals OHA-Jr. 279122137622415
1964–65 Oshawa GeneralsOHA-Jr.55274673104632511
1964–65 Boston Bruins NHL 10000
1965–66 Oshawa GeneralsOHA-Jr.48264470981715203521
1965–66 Oshawa Generals MC 1410273751
1966–67 Oklahoma City Blazers CHL 7020365698113474
1967–68 Boston BruinsNHL12044210000
1967–68 Oklahoma City BlazersCHL4221305166
1968–69 Boston BruinsNHL51823314960110
1968–69 Hershey Bears AHL 21691530
1969–70 Boston BruinsNHL7092635791454950
1970–71 Boston BruinsNHL77215879100732515
1971–72 Boston BruinsNHL7423295210315471142
1972–73 Boston BruinsNHL7629396810051124
1973–74 Boston BruinsNHL7830598911116591446
1974–75 Boston BruinsNHL421122332410220
1975–76 Boston BruinsNHL80284371871115616
1976–77 Boston BruinsNHL65153752761418918
1977–78 Boston BruinsNHL762438626915461013
1978–79 Boston BruinsNHL7527406763104598
1979–80 Boston BruinsNHL44112132191033632
1980–81 Boston BruinsNHL772535608030110
1981–82 Boston BruinsNHL641231435990226
1982–83 Boston BruinsNHL65411152080110
NHL totals1,0272775167931,041145315788250

International

YearTeamEvent GPGAPtsPIM
1972 Canada SS202214

NHL coaching statistics

TeamYear Regular season Post season
GWLTPtsFinishResult
PHI 1997–98 6132209(95)2nd in Atlantic(fired; demoted to assistant)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Wayne Cashman's profile". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  2. 1 2 3 Cashman's Back on the Ice Former Blazer Star Recalls "Incredible' Team https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1990/02/06/cashmans-back-on-the-ice-former-blazer-star-recalls-incredible-team/62575983007/#
  3. "Archived copy". www.sjjerseys.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Nitro Line (Bruins)". CNN. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009.
  5. "Boston Bruins Legends: Wayne Cashman". Bruinslegends.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  6. "Cashman Honored at Sports Museum's Annual Tradition". 30 November 2016.
  7. All-Centennial Team Spotlight: Wayne Cashman | Boston Bruins. 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2025-07-31 via www.nhl.com.
  8. 1 2 Colageo, Mick (2023-10-15). "Cash finally gets credit as an All-Centennial Bruin". Rink Rap with Mick Colageo. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  9. McClure, Steve (2024-06-24). "Happy 79th Birthday to Former Bruins' Captain Wayne Cashman". Black N' Gold Hockey. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Colageo, Mick (2023-11-19). "Colageo: Cash Was Always Money in the Bank for Boston Bruins". Boston Hockey Now. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  11. writer, John F. Bonfatti, Associated Press. "Cashman, Flyers close deal". New Bedford Standard-Times. Retrieved 2025-07-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. "1973-74 NHL Skater Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  13. "Summit Series Heroes: Wayne Cashman".
  14. "Cold War on Ice Summit Series '72 HD". YouTube. August 18, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  15. "California Golden Seals vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: January 21, 1973". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  16. "Wayne Cashman Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  17. 1 2 3 "Bruins Announce All-Centennial Team | Boston Bruins". www.nhl.com. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  18. "Hall of Famers | Canada's Sports Hall of Fame | Home: Mobile". halloffamers.sportshall.ca. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  19. 1 2 Bruins Announce “Historic 100” Ahead of All-Centennial Team Reveal https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-announce-historic-100-ahead-of-all-centennial-team-reveal
  20. "Cashman Is New Flyers Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1997-07-08. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  21. "N.H.L.: LAST NIGHT -- PHILADELPHIA; Flyers Demote Cashman". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1998-03-10. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  22. "CASHMAN DEMOTED". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  23. Nidetz, Stephen (1998-03-10). "FLYERS FIRE CASHMAN, HIRE NEILSON". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  24. "ARCHIVED - Image Display - Canadian Olympians - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  25. "Wayne Cashman". Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  26. McLaughlin, Scott (2024-12-04). "Phil Esposito makes his case for which number Bruins should retire next". www.audacy.com. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  27. McDonald, Joe (2024-12-02). "Bruins Alumni Push To Retire No. 12". The Hockey News. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  28. "Wayne Cashman's Phone Call" . Retrieved 2025-08-17.
Preceded by Boston Bruins captain
197783
Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers
1997–98
Succeeded by