Bobby Orr Coming to Framingham Thursday

Thursday, one of the greatest hockey legends of all time will be in Framingham to sign copies of his memoir.

The Paper Store in Shoppers World will welcome Bobby Orr to a very special book signing, in celebration of his new memoir, Orr: My Story. The book is scheduled to be released Tuesday, Oct. 15.

In this telling page-turner, Orr opens up for the first time in decades about his life and career. Over the course of what is much more than a mere recounting of sports history and personal accomplishments on the ice, readers learn that what truly motivated Orr to write his memoir was his belief that his experiences not only as a player, but as a parent, coach, and grandparent, gave him something valuable that he wanted to share.

Orr played for the Boston Bruins from 1966 to 1976, a time during which he helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup Championship (in 1970 and 1972). During a brief time with the Chicago Blackhawks, however, he was forced into retirement by a shattered left knee. He still remains the only defenseman to have won the Art Ross league scoring title (an honor he received twice) and still holds the record for most points and assists at that position. Over the course of his storied career, Orr won several prestigious awards and trophies in recognition of his unique and skillful execution of the game. 

He was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame at the age of 31 – the youngest living player to receive that honor.

This memoir, however, is far more than a sports history lesson. 

Orr writes: “If this book were just about nostalgia for a golden moment in hockey, or highlights from my career, I would just reinforce a version of the story I never thought was particularly interesting. The Norris trophies, the scoring titles, the Stanley Cups – all that is well known by now. But like that famous photo, or the statue outside the TD Garden, they don’t tell you much.  They don’t speak to values or motivation. They don’t explain inspiration, or add asterisks for the people who helped me (or pushed me). They record in the simplest way what happened on the ice, but not how I got there, or who I met along the way, and what I learned from them.  In any case, there is no question that I have been lucky beyond belief with respect to the people I have been fortunate enough to meet.  I feel that it is finally time for me to reflect on and share with you some of those people.”

There are some rules for Thursday's book signing:

• Orr will sign copies of his book from 6 to 7:30 p.m. only.
• The line for this book signing will form no earlier than 5 p.m. 
• Orr will not sign memorabilia at this event. 
• Orr will only autograph books, no personalization will be allowed.
• No photography with Orr will be permitted.