Looking Back 50 Years

It’s been 50 years. To those of us of a certain age, it doesn’t seem possible.

On Sunday, May 19, 1974 the Flyers scored a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins at the Spectrum to win their Stanley Cup Finals series four games to two.

Those not among the 17,007 packed into the building watched on NBC-TV or listened on radio,
The following day, an estimated two million fans out for a parade, one of the largest gatherings of humankind in Philadelphia’s history.

The occasion was the defining moment in Philadelphia’s hockey history and proved to be the jumping off point for the growth of the sport in the region.

What hockey has become in this part of the planet in the years since, from preteens through the high-school and club levels, to adult levels, is due in part to what that Flyers team accomplished.

The Flyers’ roster that season included future Hockey Hall of Famers Bill Barber, Bobby Clarke, and Bernie Parent plus a Hall of Fame coach Fred Shero and a Hall of Fame general manger in Keith Allen (Bill Clement, who was also on the roster, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a broadcaster).

Clarke led the team in scoring with 35 goals during the regular season and 52 assists for 87 points. He added five goals and 11 assist in the playoffs. Rick MacLeish, who scored the only goal in the Cup-clinching game provided 32 regular-season goals plus 45 assists for 77 points in the regular season, plus 13 postseason goals and nine assists.

Barber added 34 goals and 35 assists for 69 points in the regular season plus three goals and six assists in the playoffs.

Parent played in 73 regular-season games and compiled a league-best 1.89 goals-against average. In 17 postseason games he put together a GAA of 1.84 with two shutouts. Parent shared the Vezina Trophy that year and won the Conn Smythe Award as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

And the Flyers’ moniker, The Broad Street Bullies was not undeserved. They accumulated 1,740 minutes in penalties during the 78-game regular season. Dave Shultz accounted for 348 of those minutes, which led the league in that category, but he also scored 20 goals that year.

Andre ‘Moose’ Dupont, who assisted on the Cup-winning goal, was fourth in the league with 216 minutes.

But it should be remembered that the Flyers were underdogs going into the finals. They were still considered an expansion team, in just their seventh year of existence and while they finished first in the West Division that year, that division, with one exception, included teams that like the Flyers, had come into existence in 1967-68 or later (there were 14 teams in the NHL that year.

The Bruins led the East Division which included five of the Original Six teams and were considered heavy favorites. Their roster included the like of Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr.

The Bruins enjoyed home-ice advantage but when Clarke scored an overtime goal in the Boston Garden to win Game Two and square the series, it changed the complexion of event. The Flyers took Games Three and Four at the Spectrum, then dropped Game Five in Boston before returning home for what turned out to win the final game.

Ever since then, the members of that Flyers team and the 1975 team that won a second consecutive Stanley Cup, have been celebrated heroes. Some settled in the Philadelphia area and raised families.

Today’s generation of hockey players and fans owes them a debt of gratitude.

So, where did 50 years go?

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Founder McGuire Nominated for NHL’s O’Ree Award

Kelsey McGuire, the founder and executive director of Philadelphia Blind Hockey, has been named as one of three American finalists for the National Hockey League’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award Presented by Discover.

The general public my cast votes for the nominee of their choice through May 19. The public’s vote will be combined with votes by NHL executives and O’Ree himself before the winner is announced in June.

Individuals can vote once in each 24-hour period through this link.

https://www.nhl.com/community/willie-oree/willie-oree-community-hero-award

The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honors the NHL’s first Back player. O’Ree played in his first NHL game for the Boston Bruins on January 18, 1958 despite being blind in his right eye. His 21-year professional career included 45 NHL appearances, all with the Bruins. The bulk of his career was spent in the Western Hockey League.

For more than 25 years, O’Ree has served as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, promoting the importance of inclusion and diversity in the sport.

FLYERS ALUMNI ANNOUNCE MAJOR COMMUNITY WALK, RUN, STROLL EVENT

All proceeds from the April 23 event will benefit Flyers Alumni charitable initiatives

Registration is open NOW at FlyersAlumni.net

PHILADELPHIA (February, 2022) – Today, the Flyers Alumni Association announced the Inaugural Flyers Alumni Walk, Run, Stroll Event set to take place on April 23 at the historic Washington Crossing State Park. All proceedsfrom the event will benefit Flyers Alumni charitable efforts, including the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, Every Child Deserves a Bike, Flyers Power Play, 12 Days of Christmas Giving, Flyers Warriors, and the YMCA of Bucks County Veterans Wellness Initiative. Flyers Alumni members will be joined by Philadelphia Flyers front office leaders, Lou Nolan, Lauren Hart, Gritty, and many more!

“The Flyers Alumni are thrilled to invite Flyers fans and the entire Delaware Valley community to join us at this brand-new, family-friendly fundraising event as we continue to make a difference,” said Brad Marsh, President of Flyers Alumni. “Along with support from the Flyers organization, the Flyers Alumni rely on fundraising initiatives like this to support their work in the community, so we’re excited to bring members of the Flyers family and our incredible fans together in April.”

“One of the things that makes the Philadelphia Flyers one of the best organizations in professional sports is our connection to our incredible alumni,” said Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers. “This new event supports the great work of the Flyers Alumni Association, but it’s also an important opportunity to bring the entire Flyers family together.”

Event participants will walk, run, or stroll along the historic pathways of Washington’s troops as they head towards the Delaware River with the option to choose from a 10K run, 5K run or walk, or a 1K family stroll. Those who can’t make it to Washington Crossing can also participate from home. Perfect for the whole family, the event will include fun, family-friendly activities for participants of all ages including historic reenactors and a fife and drum corps.

In addition to participating in the Walk, Run, Stroll Event, participants also have the option to become a Flyers Alumni Teammate and earn special prizes like Flyers Alumni swag, running shoes, Flyers tickets, and more.

Flyers Alumni is (a 501(c)(3) organization) that has maintained a tradition of giving back to the Delaware Valley community by supporting a number of local charities. Registration is open now for the Inaugural Flyers Alumni Walk, Run, Stroll event at FlyersAlumni.net.

Flyers Kick Off Holiday Season by Launching Toy Drive

All Toys to Be Donated to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia for Families in Need

Philadelphia, PA (December 2, 2019) – As the season of giving commences, the Philadelphia Flyers announce their annual Holiday Toy Drive presented by Nissan. The club is encouraging fans to bring new and unwrapped toys to select home games in December. Toys will be delivered to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia to benefit less fortunate children and teens throughout the region.

Collection bins for donations will be available at all entrances at the Wells Fargo Center at the following games:

– Thursday, December 5 vs. Arizona Coyotes

– Saturday, December 7 vs. Ottawa Senators

– Tuesday, December 17 vs. Anaheim Ducks

– Thursday, December 19 vs. Buffalo Sabres

Additionally, collection bins will be available at local Nissan dealerships and all SkateZone locations.

The Toy Drive will culminate with a festive toy drop off and sorting session at the Greater Philadelphia Salvation Army Foster Care Center with Gritty leading the charge on December 20, backed by Flyers Wives and front office staff members.

Turning Back the Clock

The Philadelphia Flyers were not the city’s first National Hockey League team. Read on for a glimpse at how professional hockey has evolved in Philadelphia. The city’s professional franchises, notably the Flyers, made it possible for high-school hockey to thrive and flourish.

1927-28—The Philadelphia Arrow become Philadelphia’s first professional hockey team. The team played in the Canadian American Hockey League, a highly-regarded minor circuit. [i]

1930-31—The Philadelphia Quakers become Philadelphia’s first National Hockey League franchise. The team was transplanted from Pittsburgh where it was known as the Pirates. It lasted just one season in Philadelphia, finishing with a record of 4-36-4, the fewest wins in a season by any NHL team in history.

One reason the franchise didn’t survive was that the minor-league Arrows were outdrawing them. [ii]

1935-36—The Philadelphia Arrows become the Philadelphia Ramblers. The following year, 1936-37, the CAHL played an interlocking schedule with the International Hockey League.

In 1938-39 the two leagues merged into the International American Hockey League. In 1940 the league was re-christened the American Hockey League.

The Ramblers finished first in their league three times, in 1936, ’37, and ’39. They were a New York Rangers affiliate and several former Ramblers played key roles on the Ranger team that won the Stanley Cup in 1940.

The Ramblers however folded in 1941.[iii]

1941-42—The Philadelphia Rockets replaced the Ramblers in the AHL and folded after one season.

1942-43—The Philadelphia Falcons join the Eastern Hockey League. The franchise lasted four seasons, finishing second in the regular season in its final season, 1945-46

1946-47—The Philadelphia Rockets return to the AHL. The team lasted three seasons and never made the playoffs.

1955-56—The Philadelphia Ramblers return to the EHL and remain for nine seasons. Like all the Philadelphia franchises before them, the Ramblers played their games at Philadelphia Arena at 46^th and Market Streets.

1964-65—The Ramblers move across the Delaware River to Cherry Hill, N.J. and become the Jersey Devils. The team reached the EHL finals in 1966-67. The Devils and the EHL folded at the conclusion of the 1972-73 season.

1965—The National Hockey League announces it will double in size, from six teams to 12. The league had operated with six teams since 1942 but was dealing with the fact that it would be impossible to get a network TV contract in the U.S. without expanding,

February 9, 1966—Philadelphia is awarded an expansion franchise to begin play in 1967-68. Philadelphia was one of 10 cities under consideration for the six new franchises. The franchise was awarded on the condition that a new arena be built for the team, what became the Spectrum.

The other five went to Pittsburgh, Minnesota, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay area.

October 11, 1967—The Flyers play their first game and lose 5-1 to the California Seals in Oakland.

October 19, 1967—The Flyers play their first regular-season game in the Spectrum, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0.

1969—The Intercounty Scholastic Hockey League is founded with six teams: St. Joseph’s Prep, Haverford High, Conestoga, Cardinal O’Hara. Marple Newtown, and Swarthmore.

1972-73—The World Hockey Association launches as a competitor to the NHL. One of its 12 teams is the Philadelphia Blazers, which played its games at the Civic Center. The Blazers, which featured Former Flyer (at the time) Bernie Parent in goal, lasted one season in Philadelphia before moving to Vancouver and later Calgary. The franchise folded at the close of the 1976-77 season.

1973-74—The Suburban High School Hockey League is formed. Information on the structure of the league that season that year is still being complied but the latest information available indicates it consisted of eight teams: Abington, North Penn, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Hatboro-Horsham, Willow Grove, Philmont, Northeast, and Lower Moreland.

The Flyers win their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Boston Bruins in six games in the finals. Rick MacLeish scored the only goal in the final game on May 19, 1974 at the Spectrum, tipping in a shot from Andre “Moose” Dupont.

1974-75—The Flyers win their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating the Buffalo Sabres in six games.

The Philadelphia Firebirds begin play in the North American Hockey League, which forms from the remnants of the EHL. The team plays its games at the Philadelphia Civic center. The team won the NAHL championship in 1976.

The EHL folded in 1976 and the Firebirds moved to the American Hockey League. In 1979 the team moved to Syracuse where it played for one season.

[iv]

1980—The Philadelphia Flyers sponsor the first Flyers Cup tournament. It featured four teams. All games were played at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Rink.

Archbishop Carroll defeated Archbishop Ryan in one semifinal game while Malvern Prep defeated Germantown Academy in the other.

Carroll defeated Malvern Prep two games to one in the best-of-three finals.

Scores

Game 1 – Malvern 6, Carroll 5

Game 2 – Carroll 7, Malvern 3

Game 3 – Carroll 6, Malvern 2

MVP: Scott Chamness, Carroll (four hat tricks in four games)

This year will mark the 40th Flyers Cup tournament.

1996—The Philadelphia Phantoms, a Flyers affiliate, begin play in the American Hockey league. The team played most of its home games at the Spectrum. The Phantoms won two Calder Cup titles (in 1998 and 2005) before leaving Philadelphia following the 2008-09 season. Today the team is known as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and plays its games in Allentown.

November 2, 2018—The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference begins its inaugural season

[i] The Broad Street Bullies; the Incredible Story of the Philadelphia Flyers

[ii] Ibid The Broad Street Bullies

[iii] Wikipedia.org

[iv] Wkipedia.org

It’s Time for the Flyers Cup

The world was a far different place when the Flyers Cup was played for the first time in 1980. For that matter, so was the game of hockey. The strongest team in the world at the time was the Soviet Union’s national team. Then the Miracle on Ice occurred. It was against this backdrop that the Flyers Cup was launched, as a mechanism for promoting high-school hockey and generating new hockey fans along with it.

Four teams competed in that first Cup, with Archbishop Carroll emerging victorious after defeating Haverford High in the championship game.

This year marks the 39^th edition of the Flyers Cup which, with the support of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, has become a celebration of interscholastic hockey.

This year’s tournament will have a more streamlined look. The boys’ field has been reduced from 50 teams to 39 across three divisions. The Class 2A and Class 1A brackets will include 16 teams each (down from 20) while the Class 3A bracket for private schools will feature seven teams (down from 10 a year ago). There will also be a three-team girls’ division.

First-round games are set for Monday, March 5 in Class A and the following night in Class 2A. Quarterfinal games will be played Wednesday, March 7 (in Class A) and Thursday the 8^th (Class 2A).

Semifinal games are scheduled for March 12 and 13. The Class A championship game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14 at Ice Line in West Chester while the Class 2A tournament will conclude the following night at Hatfield Ice. The Class 3A final is scheduled for March 19, also at Hatfield Ice.

Two-time Class 2A Flyers Cup champion Central Bucks South has earned the number-one seed in this year’s tournament. The Titans, who won both the Flyers Cup and state titles in 2014 and ‘16 dominated the Suburban High-School Hockey League again this season and captured their fourth consecutive league title.

South coach Shaun McGinty says a big key to postseason success is doing the little things well. “It’s just a number and the kids have to come ready to go,” he said. “It’s all about playing disciplined this time of year, it’s the special teams, it’s the power [play, the penalty kill, it’s the line changes, it’s the small things.”

The Titans will open up Tuesday against Boyertown. Puck drop is set for 7:00 at Warwick.

Tom Coyne stepped behind the Pennridge bench in December. It took his players some time to adjust to the coaching change. But he feels things are moving in the right direction. He took the Rams to the SHSHL Class 2A finals this past week.

“It was a short run for me as far as when I came in,” he said, “but I just had to get an evaluation done and from there just kind of put the pieces together. Right now, it seems like we have found some of the things that are going to help us go forward.”

Coyne coached Central Bucks South when it won its two Cup and has also coached at Cheltenham. His Pennridge team will Open Cup play Tuesday against 13-th seeded Central Bucks East Tuesday at Hatfield Ice at 7:10.

Bayard Rustin will be looking to make history in the Class A bracket The Knights will be trying to win their fifth straight Cup, something that has only been done once before in the history of the competition in any class; Malvern Prep won five straight Class 3A titles from 2001-05. All told, Rustin has won seven Flyers Cups in the last nine years. they’ve also won five Class A state titles, including the past four.

Upper Dublin is making its first Cup appearance in eight years. The Flying Cardinals, who are seeded 12^th in Class A missed the SHSHL Class A playoffs but earned a Flyers Cup invitation
Coach Anthony Richichi, says there’s a lot of excitement around the program. “Here we are this year going 9-7 and beating two (Class 2A) teams,” he said. We’re really excited to be part of this now.”

Chris Barbera, Upper Dublin’s captain, is especially excited for the program’s return to the Flyers Cup. “My brother played (in the Flyers Cup) when I was younger,” he said. There was a really strong team when he played. Then when I came up they were not doing too hot and the second year the same way. So, to see us get in this year means a lot. We knew we were going to do all right with the freshmen coming up, but we didn’t know we were going to do this good.”
After not being part of the tournament for close to a decade, Barbera says this year’s return is especially meaningful. “Definitely,” he says. “We didn’t really know what to expect going into this year but now that we’re here, it really means a lot.”

Upper Dublin will open Flyers Cup play against fifth-seeded Hershey Monday at 6:45 at Ice Line.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside played in the first Flyers Cup. He and the Firebirds will be trying to win their third Cup in four years but Whiteside says the Class 3A bracket is as wide-open as it’s ever been.

“I think the parity this year has been great,” he said. “As far as us getting the number-one seed I’m very proud of our players, I think they worked extremely hard to get where they are. The fruits of their labor have really paid off.”

Whiteside says it’s been rewarding to watch this year’s team develop over the course of the season. “It’s very satisfying,” he said. “We have a lot of seniors on this team. They’ve been with us for four years now and I would really like to see them end on a very positive note because they deserve it.”
the Firebirds will face either LaSalle or Cardinal O’Hara in a 3A semifinal on March 12 at Grundy Arena.

The three-team girls’ tournament will get underway on Tuesday, March 13 with second-seed West Chester East opposing third seed Radnor at 8:30 at ice Line. The winner faces three-time defending champion Unionville Thursday March 15 at the same venue at 6:30 for the Cup. Unionville has won seven Cups in the past eight seasons.

Top Seeds in Each Class

Class AAA

Holy Ghost Prep
St. Joseph’s Prep
Malvern Prep
LaSalle

Class 2A

Central Bucks South
Downingtown East
Conestoga
Pennridge

Class A

Bayard Rustin
West Chester East
Lower Dauphin
Springfield-Delco

Girls

Unionville
West Chester East
Radnor

For a complete overview of the brackets, including seedings, pairings, game sites, and times, go to: www.flyerscup.org

Game sites and times subject to change.

Our thanks to the administration and staff at Holy Ghost Prep for their support.

Holy Ghost Prep is a private, Catholic, all-boys school located in Bensalem, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Located adjacent to the busy I-95 corridor in metropolitan Philadelphia, Holy Ghost Prep attracts students from more than 100 elementary feeder schools from throughout metropolitan Philadelphia counties and New Jersey

Today is a vibrant community of nearly 500 young men preparing for college and adult life through a challenging program which stresses the cultivation of students’ unique gifts and talents, academic excellence, and generous service to the poor. We continue to be mindful of our founding history as a seminary as we seek to form young men morally, intellectually, and spiritually in the Spiritan tradition.