As a junior, Jim Lorentz put in three successful campaigns with the Niagara Falls Flyers of the OHA from 1964 to 1967. The following year, he turned pro in the Boston Bruins' chain with the Oklahoma City Blazers of the CHL. The young forward made a splash as rookie-of-the-year in his first season. In year two, he led the league in scoring with 101 points in 56 games.
But in spite of his prolific offensive numbers, it was no shoe-in to make a Bruins' lineup on the verge of Stanley Cup glory. Lorentz did, however, squeak his way onto the roster as a fourth-line centreman behind Esposito, Sanderson, and Stanfield. He spent most of his time on the bench, watching Bobby Orr work his magic as his team won the league championship.
During the off-season, Lorentz was traded to the St. Louis Blues where he finally became an NHL regular. His first campaign was a success, although he was traded to the New York Rangers early into the 1971-72 season. His stay in the Big Apple was very brief, however. Since he was primarily just warming the bench, he requested a trade that was quickly granted, sending him to Buffalo.
With the Sabres, Lorentz finally got enough ice time to establish himself as a solid, two-way player who had a playmaker's touch and the ability to consistently score goals in the range of 20 to 25 per season.
His most notable claim to fame flew into his life during a playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975. A bat had decided to take flight in the Memorial Auditorium, swooping down here and there, distracting the players. Goaltender Bernie Parent took a few swipes with his stick to no avail. But during the third period, Lorentz gave it a go with his stick and knocked the little beast to the ice where it died before thousands of onlookers. Meanwhile, the television audience was told it was a bird. This prompted bird-lovers from all around to send letters to the bewildered Sabre condemning him for his deadly actions. Since then, Lorentz has carried the moniker "Batman."
In all, he remained as a Sabres mainstay until 1978. By then, he had slowed a significant step. He had an option to join the Red Wings but felt he'd lost the necessary desire to compete at the NHL level. Instead he retired to coach the Buffalo Junior Sabres. But he eventually abandoned the idea of pursuing a career in coaching because of the travel requirements. As an alternative, he entered the broadcast booth as a colour analyst for Buffalo Sabres' broadcasts.
