Bernie Parent, a legendary Hall of Fame goalie known for leading the Philadelphia Flyers to their only two Stanley Cup victories during the Broad Street Bullies era, has passed away at the age of 80. The Flyers confirmed his death, with Joe Watson, a former star defenseman on the team’s championship squads, mentioning that Parent passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Parent, with his intense gaze behind the iconic hockey mask, graced the cover of Time magazine in 1975, symbolizing the Flyers’ dominance in the sports world. He achieved notable success, clinching the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, and Vezina trophies in consecutive seasons as the Flyers claimed the championship in 1974 and 1975, making history as the first expansion team to accomplish this feat.
Following his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in 1965, Parent was left unprotected in the 1967 expansion draft and was subsequently picked up by the Flyers. Despite a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Parent returned to Philadelphia in 1973 and excelled, leading the league in wins in the following seasons.
Retiring in 1979 after a distinguished 13-year career with 271 wins, including 231 with the Flyers, Parent’s time on the ice came to an abrupt end when he suffered a career-ending injury to his right eye. His contributions to the Flyers’ success were paramount, with memorable moments such as winning the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975 etched in Philadelphia sports history.
Renowned for his outstanding goaltending skills, Parent’s legacy lives on through his retired jersey number hanging in the rafters of the Flyers’ arena. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984, Parent’s impact on the Flyers and the broader hockey community remains profound.
Beyond his on-ice achievements, Parent’s enduring connection with the Flyers as an ambassador endeared him to fans, culminating in a memorable appearance at an alumni game in 2011 at Citizens Bank Park. The crowd’s chants of “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” echoed throughout the stadium as Parent, in his trademark style, made remarkable saves, further solidifying his place in Flyers history.