such a wonderful place for NHL hockey over the last 20 years. The last trip to the conference finals was in 1992 and the Bruins went a decade (1999-2009) without even winning a playoff round. The turnaround started when Jacobs and his son Charlie, hired Peter Chiarelli to be their general manager in May 2006. Along the way, Chiarelli hired Claude Julien as coach and the Jacobs' family brought back Hall-of-Fame player Cam Neely to be the vice president. Neely has since been promoted to team president."It validates it. It does validate that we're filling the holes with the right people and bringing the right organization together," said Jacobs of his team's current success. "It validates the quality of the management and the leadership -- not just at the top, but throughout the organization."From the players on the ice, you take Zdeno Chara. His leadership is indispensable. You take a Peter or a Claude holding to his discipline and all that he brings to it that as Peter does and then a Cam. I think the organization from the top to bottom has evolved into a singular objective. They coalesced. I'm very proud of them. I'm very proud of what they've accomplished."It's been 39 years, mostly under Jacobs' ownership, since the Bruins last won the Cup. So Jacobs has suffered longer than even the players and coaches. When Jacobs speaks to the players, it has special meaning."We want to do it for everybody involved, him included," said forward Shawn Thornton. "It's good to see his face. I'm sure guys got a little bit of jump out of it. I mean, when he talks, you definitely listen."Julien was also glad to get the extra motivation for his team from the guy who signs his checks."Well, I think it meant a lot. I was happy that he did take the time to speak to our team," said the coach. "We don't see him much during the regular season. He comes and watches games but he certainly is not one of those owners that will interfere and then come down much. So that's his personality and it's his style and we respect that."But when he does come in like he did today and address the team, everybody was happy to hear from him. And he's a person that obviously speaks his mind as far as he told us that he was very proud of our group. And for a person that we don't hear much from, I think it was a great message today for our players. And I know that our guys walked out and were really happy to see him and to he