SLIDESHOW: Hockey Legend Bobby Orr Autographs Books, Delights Fans

Fans started arriving in the Shoppers World parking lot just after 2 p.m. Thursday. Although the line was not supposed to begin until 5 p.m., hundreds of fans began it anyways just after 4:30 p.m.

By 5:45 p.m. the line was around The Paper Store and by the time the hockey legend came out and sat down to sign autographs of his memoir Orr: My Story, which was released Tuesday, the line had reached to John Harvard's Brew Pub's patio.

Everyone came to see, take cell phone photos, chat a few seconds with and get their book autographed by one of Boston's all-time great sports legends former Boston Bruins and NHL Hall of Famer Bobby Orr.

Orr, who his publicist said had been doing press for his book since 8 a.m., was his typical friendly, down-to-earth self. Chatting a few moments with each, making jokes, and telling a few stories.

He told one man that his dad was watching hockey one night on TV and turned to his son and said "Hey, that player skates better than you did."

His dad was talking about Paul Coffey, another NHL Hall of Famer, who ranked second all-time among defensemen in goals, assists and points behind former Boston Bruin Ray Bourque.

Many in line to get the book autographed said it was a Christmas present for Dad.

Orr, one of the greatest hockey defensemen of all time, ended his career short due to a knee injury but played in Boston for a decade (1966-1976) winning the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972.

Orr's goal in 1970, captured by photographer Ray Lussier, is on the cover of Orr's newly released book. After scoring the Stanley-cup winning goal in overtime, Orr tripped over the skate of a defensemen and flew threw the air. That moment is known world-wide and is as famous in Boston as Carlton Fisk's homerun.  

Orr, who has liked to remain private and out of the public eye, was friendly with everyone who came through the line for an autograph. He enjoyed noting the current Bruins players shirts on boys and girls and chatted about the old Big Bad Bruins with their parents and grandparents.

He was only scheduled to sign autographs for 90 minutes, but when I left I was told he had agreed to sign books for everyone who was in line when it cut off, putting him there well after 8 p.m. The line was shut off around 6:30 p.m.

***Originally posted at 12:35 p.m. but updated several times with new photos