Bernie Parent, Flyers Legend and Hall of Famer, Passes Away

Ice hockey legend Bernie Parent, recognized as one of the best goaltenders of all time, has passed away at the age of 80. Parent, a Hall of Fame member, was the key figure in the Flyers’ goal during their two Stanley Cup championships in the team’s golden era, known as the “Broad Street Bullies”. The announcement was made by the Flyers on Sunday, although no immediate details were provided about the causes of death. Joe Watson, star defenseman for the Flyers’ Stanley Cup teams, reported that Parent passed away in his sleep. Watson recalled seeing Parent and other former Flyers players at an event on Friday night in Delaware. “Bernie was in a lot of pain, 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 so much. It’s very sad to see this.”

Parent, whose penetrating gaze through his old-school hockey mask landed him on the cover of Time magazine in 1975, was a symbol for the Flyers, who at the time were one of the most prominent teams in the sport. He won the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe and Vezina trophies in consecutive seasons, as the Flyers took the title in 1974 and 1975, being the first NHL expansion team to achieve the championship.

“The legend of Bernie Parent transcended the ice and his accolades,” the Flyers said in a statement. “Bernie felt a deep love for Philadelphia and 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

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. That season, he won 47 games, 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 wins, 231 of them with the Flyers, in a 13-year career. In 1979, Parent suffered an accidental blow to his right eye with a stick, which caused him temporary blindness. He never played again. The Flyers defeated the Bruins in six games to win the Stanley Cup in 1974 and the Buffalo Sabres in 1975. On the return flight from Buffalo, the Flyers placed the Stanley Cup in the middle of the aisle. For almost 90 minutes, the Flyers couldn’t take their eyes off the most coveted prize.

“We were able to sit, look at the Stanley Cup and savor it,” Parent said in 2010. “It was a special moment.”

Bernie Parent

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,'” recalled Gary Dornhoefer, a winger for both Cup teams. Parent, along with team captain Bobby Clarke and Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, became stars for the Flyers under the ownership of Ed Snider, at a time when the team was known for its rough 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. More than 2 million fans crowded the city streets for each of their championship parades. “We always felt comfortable with Bernie in goal,” said former Flyers winger and defenseman Bob Kelly. “He challenged the guys in practice. He’d stop the puck and flip it back to you and say, ‘Come on, try to get this one.’ He was first in line to help out another teammate if they needed it. He was a true example of what it means to be a team player.” The number 1 of Parent was retired by the Flyers and still hangs in the ceiling of their arena. 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 was one of the Flyers’ most beloved players and remained connected to the team over the years as an ambassador. “He was very good with people,” said Watson, who met Parent in 1963. “Many athletes don’t understand it or don’t give fans the time. Bernie gave everyone time. He always had his rings on. He showed them to people and people loved to see them. This past Friday in Delaware, people came up, they wanted to see the rings. People were very excited to see him. He had a great sense of humor. Bernie was a funny guy.” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet, who played 11 seasons in two stints with the team, fought back tears on the New Jersey practice rink as he described Parent’s influence. “As a kid, you stress trying to make the team. When he came, he just lit up the locker room. He really helped me with that,” Tocchet said. “It seemed like every day was great for him. I don’t know if he ever had a bad day. But that group (of the Stanley Cup) was very close-knit, and Bernie was like the glue. Bob Clarke obviously incredible, and Billy Barber and all those guys, they came around a lot. Bernie was one of those guys, just, if we lost three in a row, he’d somehow come in and loosen us up in Bernie’s way.” The last highlight of his career came in 2011, when Parent was in goal for 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. Parent was the third Hall of Fame goalie to die this month. Ken Dryden, who helped the Montreal Canadiens win six Stanley Cup titles in the 1970s, died at 78 after a battle with cancer. Ed Giacomin, one of the faces of the New York Rangers franchise in the 1960s and 70s, died at 86 of natural causes. “They are big losses,” Kelly said. “They were top goalkeepers, super goalkeepers.”