From the Minors to a Hat Trick: Gregg Sheppard’s Bruins Breakout
Gregg Sheppard spent more than three years in the minors waiting for his NHL chance. In just his second game with the Boston Bruins on October 29, 1972, he made it count, scoring a hat trick against the expansion New York Islanders.
Sheppard’s three goals helped power Boston to a dominant 9–1 victory at the Boston Garden. It was a statement performance from a rookie fighting to stay in the lineup, and it wasn’t the last big night of his debut season.
Sheppard went on to record three more three-point games that November and finished his rookie year with 24 goals and 50 points, earning Calder Trophy consideration and proving he belonged in the NHL.
We go more in depth here: Gregg Sheppard Hat Trick
