Former Bruins forward Johnny “Pie’’ McKenzie, a beloved member of the Big, Bad Bruins of the 1970s, died Saturday at his home in Wakefield after a long illness at the age of 80.
The diminutive and feisty McKenzie — 5 feet 9 inches, 170 pounds — played on a line with Johnny Bucyk and Fred Stanfield that helped the Bruins win Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972. He had five straight seasons of 20 or more goals, including a career-high 31 in 1970-71 when the Bruins were stunned by Ken Dryden and the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs.