Now that the NHL is finally back on track after the long lockout, I’ll be rooting as usual for the Philadelphia Flyers. My loyalty goes back to the Philly Flyers first games as a new team in 1967, and then hit the heights when they scored Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. They’ve managed to make it to the playoffs seven times since then, but repeating the championship year has eluded them so far.
Shortened Seasons Due To Salary Disputes The usual number of games per team in an NHL season is 82. This year, because of the lockout, they’re scheduled to play just 48, the same as what happened before in the 1994-5 labor troubled season. The worst year yet was when the entire 2004-5 season was cancelled.
Outstanding Philly Flyers Four players on the Philadelphia Stanley Cup teams have had their numbers retired: Bernie Parent (1), Barry Ashbee (4), Bill Barber (7) and Bobby Clarke (16). Clarke also served as General Manager from 1984 to 1990, and 1994 to 2006.
Watching those talented athletes skate back then in the championship years was always a great pleasure for their loyal fans. Of course, their team skills on the ice are primarily what made the Flyers so successful. However, there was also an interesting and sentimental connection to winning then that still continues to this day, and may actually help their 2013 efforts.
An Honored Statue In 1987, an eight-foot-tall bronze statue was erected outside the Philadelphia Spectrum, the arena where the Flyers played at the time. It isn’t the image of famous Philadelphians Ben Franklin nor William Penn. It isn’t the figure of Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent nor any other former Flyer hockey hero. The statue depicts Kate Smith, a radio singer from the 1930s and 1940s who’s virtually unknown by today’s music fans. As the statue shows, the large lady looked more like a robust opera performer than a traditionally slim pop songstress. The reason for honoring Kate Smith with a statue is that a recording of her singing “God Bless America” at Flyers games during their Stanley Cup years was thought to magically inspire them to win.
The tradition started when Flyers’ management noticed that fans talked and wandered around when the traditional National Anthem was played. After they decided to use the Kate Smith song, everyone paid attention, cheered more vigorously for the team and actually joined in on the singing.
The Tradition Continues Today The performance of the Kate Smith song at Flyers games tradition continues today, and maybe we fans can hope the inspired melody will at long last bring another Stanley Cup to Philadelphia this season.
Ted Sherman grew up in Philadelphia and has been a Flyers fan since their arrival in 1967. Now retired, he worked in public relations and was able to meet and work with many Flyers legends including Bernie Parent and Bobby Clarke. You can follow him on Twitter – @travel4seniors.
