Bernie Parent, Flyers legend and Hall of Famer, passes away

Bernie Parent, Flyers and ice hockey legend, passes away

Ice hockey legend Bernie Parent has passed away at the age of 80. Parent, considered one of the best goaltenders of all time, was a key player in the only two Stanley Cup championships won by the Flyers during their golden era, known as the “Broad Street Bullies”. The news was announced by the Flyers, but without offering immediate details about the causes of death. Joe Watson, star defenseman on the Stanley Cup teams, reported that Parent died in his sleep. Watson reported that he saw Parent and other former Flyers players at an event on Friday night. “Bernie was suffering a lot, he could barely walk,” Watson commented, referring to Parent’s back problems. “We had a great time, but I felt bad because he was suffering a lot. It’s very sad to see this.”

The iconic image of Parent with his old-school hockey mask earned him the cover of Time magazine in 1975, when the Flyers were one of the most prominent teams in the sport. He won the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the Vezina Trophy in consecutive seasons, achieving the championship in 1974 and 1975. The Flyers were the first NHL expansion team to win the championship.

“The legend of Bernie Parent transcended the ice and his achievements,” the Flyers stated. “Bernie felt a deep love for Philadelphia and the Flyers fans. He was passionate about his role as an ambassador for Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education and inspired an entire generation of hockey fans. He dedicated his time, energy, and enthusiasm not only to growing the sport, but also to bringing joy to everyone he met.”

Flyers Statement

After debuting in the NHL with Boston in 1965, Parent was selected by the Flyers in the 1967 expansion draft. After 3 and a half seasons, he was traded to Toronto, but returned to Philadelphia before the 1973-74 season. He won 47 games that season, the most in the league, and led the NHL in wins again the following season with 44. He retired from the Flyers in 1979, with 271 career wins in his 13-year career, 231 of them with the Flyers. In 1979, Parent was accidentally hit in the right eye with a stick and was temporarily blinded, which marked the end of his career.

The Flyers defeated the Bruins in six games to win the Stanley Cup in 1974 and the Buffalo Sabres in 1975.

With Parent as an unstoppable force in goal, the saying “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent” became popular in Philadelphia and accompanied him for decades.

“We used to joke in the locker room. We’d say: ‘Bernie, how many goals do you need?’ He’d answer: ‘One, two, that’s all, and we’ll win the game'”, said Gary Dornhoefer, a winger on both championship teams.

Gary Dornhoefer

Parent, along with team captain Bobby Clarke and Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, became Flyers stars under the direction of owner Ed Snider during a time when the team was known for its aggressive style of play, earning them the nickname “Bullies.” They embraced their nickname as the most hated team in the NHL and won the hearts of Flyers fans. The number 1 of Parent was retired by the Flyers and still hangs in the heights of their stadium. In 1984, he became the first Flyers player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Parent remains the Flyers’ all-time leader in shutouts, with 50. Parent remained connected with the team over the years as an ambassador. Flyers coach Rick Tocchet described Parent’s influence with tears in his eyes. “When I was young, I was stressed trying to make the team. When he came in, he broke the atmosphere. He really helped me a lot in that aspect,” Tocchet said.

The last highlight of his career came in 2011, when Parent was in goal at an outdoor alumni game at Citizens Bank Park before the NHL Classic. “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” echoed throughout the park for the affable goalie, who played 5 minutes and 32 seconds and stopped all six shots. Each save brought back the “Bernie!” chants.