Bruins unveil bronze bear statue for 100 years of hockey in Hub

Bobby has some company on Causeway Street.

Just down the block from where a leaping Bobby Orr is emblazoned in bronze, the Bruins unveiled another commemorative statue to honor a century of hockey in Boston.

Ahead of Sunday’s Centennial Game against the Canadiens, the Bruins showcased a new bronze statue of a roaring bear — a monument crafted to embody the passion and ferocity that has been woven into the fabric of the Original Six franchise since its inception in 1924.

“The Boston Bruins are not just a hockey team,” Bruins captain Brad Marchand said Saturday during the unveiling ceremony. “For the past century, this team has been the heart and soul of the city. When you look up to the rafters and see the names and numbers, you’re reminded that those who came before us set the highest standard of excellence.

“This incredible monument behind me pays tribute and respect to the legends past and present who have upheld the values of this great city by playing with grit, integrity, and a relentless drive to win, not just for themselves, but for the entire Boston community.”

Marchand was the final speaker during a 30-minute ceremony held at the statue’s site at Portal Park — the small patch of greenery next to TD Garden featuring the Zakim Bridge as a backdrop.

Along with Bruins ownership and front-office personnel, several Bruins legends were on hand for the event, including Orr, Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, Willie O’Ree, and others.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also delivered remarks.

The statue was sculpted by Harry Weber, the same artist who created the bronze statue of a leaping Orr that sits in front of the Bruins’ home barn.

“Creating two monuments that represent the Bruins’ storied legacy and heritage has been a privilege,” Weber said in a team release. “Though originally from St. Louis, Boston has always held a special place in my heart, and it means the world to have had the opportunity to sculpt two symbols of the team’s greatness for such passionate fans.”

According to Bruins CEO and alternate governor Charlie Jacobs, the bear statue stands 6 feet tall, is 10 feet long, and weighs more than 3,500 pounds. It consists of 90 bronze pieces welded together — all sitting atop a 28-inch plinth inscribed with “A message to the community about the values of the Boston Bruins, things that we’ve held in our hearts for 100 years and we will carry with us as we embark on our next 100.”

For Jacobs, Saturday’s ceremony and Sunday’s extended festivities ahead of puck drop against Montreal will be a fitting end to more than a year’s worth of celebrations for the Bruins’ centennial.

“It’s going to be something — I sure hope we can put our best foot forward tomorrow afternoon when we play the Habs,” Jacobs said. “And let’s get another W in the books. We need it.”

As for his thoughts on the Bruins’ 11-11-3 start?

“Today’s about our centennial,” Jacobs said. “We’re a .500 club right now. And I think we’ve yet to play our best game.”

After another punchless showing on the power play Friday (0 for 3), interim coach Joe Sacco shuffled up the personnel on the man advantage during Saturday’s practice.

David Pastrnak skated on a power-play grouping with Charlie McAvoy, Morgan Geekie, Justin Brazeau, and Pavel Zacha. Marchand skated on the “second” unit with Mason Lohrei, Charlie Coyle, Elias Lindholm, and Trent Frederic.

Sacco stressed that Saturday’s reshuffle was designed to give a laboring unit a “different look” — with final decisions on those groupings to be determined ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

“It’s just really to break it up,” Sacco said of splitting up Pastrnak and Marchand, who have long served as Boston’s top triggermen on the top power-play unit. “Maybe put two competitive groups together and sometimes when you have that competition amongst yourselves, it makes for guys getting out there and challenging each other more.

“So we’ll see. Like I said, nothing is set in stone as far as how we’re going to go tomorrow.”

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Nikita Zadorov and Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin were fined $5,000 each for their penalties called in the first period of Friday’s game. Zadorov poked Malkin with his stick while seated on the Bruins’ bench in the closing seconds of the frame, with Malkin responding with a swing that hit Lohrei on the bench . . . Jordan Oesterle skated on a defensive pairing with Brandon Carlo in practice, with Parker Wotherspoon serving as an extra skater. However, Sacco added that no lineup moves have been locked in ahead of Sunday’s matchup.