The Boston Bruins are now just 45 days away from playing their 2025-26 season opener against the Washington Capitals.
Because of this, let's look at each player who has worn No. 45 for the Bruins in their history. Overall, most of the players did not wear it for too long during their days with the Original Six club.
Dale Dunbar, D (1988-89)
The first player to wear No. 45 for the Bruins was defenseman Dale Dunbar during the 1988-89 season. However, it was for an incredibly short time, as he played just one game for the Bruins that season. This would be the last time he played at the NHL level.
Carl Mokosak, LW (1988-89)
Dunbar would not be the only Bruin to wear No. 45 for the Bruins in 1988-89, as forward Carl Mokosak also did that season for the Original Six club. In seven games for the Bruins that campaign, he recorded zero points, 31 penalty minutes, and a minus-2 rating. This would be Mokosak's last season at the NHL level.
Steve Heinze, RW (1991-92)
Steve Heinze wore No. 45 for the Bruins during his rookie year in 1991-92. In 14 games with the Bruins that campaign, he recorded three goals, seven points, and a minus-1 rating. Following this season, he wore No. 23 for the remainder of his nine-year stint with the Bruins. In 515 games as a Bruin, he had 131 goals and 239 points.
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Andrew McKim, C (1992-93 to 1993-94)
Andrew McKim would be the next player to wear No. 45 for the Bruins, as he did so during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. In 36 games with the Bruins over that span, he posted one goal, five points, and a minus-8 rating. He played his last NHL season in 1994-95 with the Detroit Red Wings.
Sandy Moger, C (1994-95 to 1996-97)
The next player to wear No. 45 for the Bruins was forward Sandy Moger. In three seasons with the Bruins from 1994-95 to 1996-97, he recorded 27 goals, 23 assists, and 50 points. This includes setting career highs with 15 goals, 14 assists, and 29 points in 80 games with Boston in 1995-96.
Robert Lang, C (1997-98)
Robert Lang had a strong NHL career that lasted many seasons, but his time with the Bruins was very short. In just three games with Boston during the 1997-98 season, where he wore No. 45, he recorded zero points and a plus-1 rating. Following this, he was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he broke out and became a star.
Aaron Downey, RW (1999-00)
Aaron Downey would be the next Bruin to wear No. 45, as he sported the number during the 1999-00 season. In his one game as a Bruin, he was held off the scoresheet and had 8:31 of ice time.
Andrei Nazarov, LW (2000-01)
During his first season with the Bruins in 2000-01, Andrei Nazarov wore No. 45. In 63 games with the Bruins that season, he posted one goal, five points, and 200 penalty minutes. He switched to No. 62 later that season and wore it until his time in Boston ended in 2001-02.
Mark Stuart, D (2005-06 to 2010-11)
Mark Stuart wore No. 45 throughout his entire six-year tenure with the Bruins. In 283 games with the Original Six club, the left-shot defenseman recorded 13 goals, 27 assists, 40 points, 284 penalty minutes, and a plus-37 rating. His time with the Bruins ended during the 2010-11 season when he was traded with Blake Wheeler to the Atlanta Thrashers in the deal that brought Rich Peverley to Boston.
Aaron Johnson, D (2012-13)
The next Bruins player to wear No. 45 was defenseman Aaron Johnson during the 2012-13 season. In 10 games with the Bruins during that campaign, the left-shot blueliner posted zero points, 10 penalty minutes, and 18 hits. This would the last season that Johnson played at the NHL level.
Joe Morrow, D (2014-15 to 2016-17)
Joe Morrow was one of the main pieces that the Bruins got back from the Dallas Stars in the infamous Tyler Seguin trade in 2013. After being traded to the Bruins, Morrow wore No. 45 during his whole tenure in Boston. In 65 games with the Bruins from 2014-15 to 2016-17, he recorded two goals, nine points, 75 hits, and a minus-8 rating.
Joona Koppanen, C (2022-23)
Joona Koppanen was the next Bruins player to wear No. 45 for the Original Six club. In five games with the Bruins during the 2022-23 season, he recorded one assist, four penalty minutes, and eight hits. He is now entering his third season with the Penguins after joining them during the 2023 NHL off-season.
Cole Koepke, LW (2024-25)
Cole Koepke was the most recent player to wear No. 45 for the Bruins, as he sported it this past season. In 73 games with the Bruins in 2024-25, Koepke set new career highs with 10 goals, seven assists, 17 points, and 177 hits. His time with the Bruins ended this off-season when he signed a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
Bruins Star Shares Great Injury Update
During a <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/">recent appearance on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast</a>, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins</a> defenseman Hampus Lindholm shared an update on where he's at with his injury recovery.