 In the 1968 – 69 season , second @-@ year defenceman Bobby Orr scored 21 goals , an NHL record for a defenceman , en route to winning his first of eight consecutive Norris Trophies as the league 's top defenceman . At the same time , Orr 's teammate , Phil Esposito , became the first player in league history to score 100 points in a season , finishing with 126 points . He was one of three players to break the century mark that year , including Bobby Hull and 41 @-@ year @-@ old Gordie Howe . 
