AP: Boston Bruins Retire 'Nifty' Rick Middleton's No. 16

By Gethin Coolbaugh, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) -- Rick Middleton raised his No. 16 to the TD Garden rafters Thursday night, nearly three decades after playing his final game with the Bruins.

Middleton, nicknamed "Nifty," spent 12 seasons with the black and gold from 1976 to 1988, scoring 402 goals and totaling 898 points. The right wing ranks third in goals and fourth in points in Bruins history.

"I've had four months to think about it, and I hate repeating myself, but honestly, I believe it is the biggest honor that certainly a retired athlete can get in his career," the 64-year-old Middleton said before the Bruins faced the New York Islanders.

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