Bobby Orr 5

Redefined the game as far as the role of defensemen.

At his peak he was the most exciting player in the game and was a threat to score every time he touched the puck.

I have a favourite memory of him playing that goes like this:

In a tussle at centre ice, Orr loses one of his gloves, which remains palm up, just to the side of the face off circle. Play continues and Orr follows the play, leaving the glove behind. Gathering the puck deep in his own end, he begins one of the majestic rushes that he made famous. As he crosses centre, he leans down and slips his hand into the glove and continues the rush without breaking stride. The ideal conclusion to the story would be him scoring at the end of the rush, but the opposing goalie made a huge save and denied him.