Rick Middleton
| Rick Middleton | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Middleton in 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
December 4, 1953 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Right wing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shot | Right | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Played for |
New York Rangers Boston Bruins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NHL draft |
14th overall, 1973 New York Rangers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WHA draft |
21st overall, 1973 Minnesota Fighting Saints | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1974–1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Richard David "Nifty" Middleton (born December 4, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Middleton played 14 years in the NHL, most prominently with the Bruins, serving as their captain alongside Ray Bourque from 1985 until his retirement in 1988.
Throughout his career, Middleton was known for his exceptional stickhandling and scoring ability, recording multiple 90-plus- and 100-plus-point seasons. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 1982. Internationally, Middleton represented Team Canada twice in the Canada Cup, winning a gold medal in 1984.
Following his retirement, Middleton served as the head coach of the United States 2002 Paralympic Sled Hockey team and coached them to their first gold medal at the 2002 Paralympic Olympics. He has since been inducted into both the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
He has also remained involved with the Bruins in commentary and ambassador roles.