Leo Boivin as a member of the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars.
Bucyk, enshrined in the Hall of Fame five years before Boivin, remembers an intimidating presence on the Bruins blue line, a stocky body with a low center of gravity that hit with crushing force. Boivin formed an imposing pair with fellow defenseman Fern Flaman, who had preceded him to Boston four months earlier, also traded by Toronto.
Flaman would serve as Bruins captain from 1955-61, Boivin from 1963-66, then Bucyk in 1966-67 and from 1973-77.
"He and Fernie, another tough guy, spent a lot of time together," Bucyk said. "Leo didn't look for fights, he wasn't a cheap-shot artist, but he played the game very hard, very solid and he was very dedicated."
What Bucyk remembers best is a quiet friend who stayed mostly to himself but was there when his team needed him most.
"Leo did what he had to do when he was doing his work. He was good at it, a very loyal teammate," he said. "You couldn't say a bad word about him, he was just a good, solid player. We're going to miss him."
Photos: Hockey Hall of Fame