The hockey world lost another legend. The iconic Bernie Parent left us this weekend. He was the heart behind the Philadelphia Bullies in the 1970s. I did not meet Bernie, but from what I read, he is one of the most loved players in the NHL. People had nothing but good things to say about him.
The Toronto Maple Leafs sent Bruce Gamble, Mike Shakey Walton, and a first-round pick back to the Flyers. With Bernie, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a dynamic duo in goal, with Plante being the other goalie. After two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, we lost Bernie to the WHA. Bernie returned to the NHL’s Maple Leafs and was immediately traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Parent became an elite goalie with the Flyers. Winning two Stanley Cups, two Vesna trophies, and finally two Con Smith trophies. He was the MVP of the Philadelphia Flyers, or should I say Philadelphia Phillies, during their Stanley Cup years. In those years, the Flyers were a rough team. He could do no wrong among the Philadelphia Flyers fans as they chanted “Bernie, Bernie, Bernie.” He was the immovable object in the net. The opposing teams had a hard enough time getting around the Flyers’ defence, but then they have to face Bernie in net. It would take a perfect shot to beat him.
In Parent’s final six seasons, his average was a sensational 2.32. The two years they won the cup were 1.89 in 1973-74. That year, he had a whopping 12 shutouts. In the second year, 1974-75, his average was 2.04, and he again recorded 12 shutouts.
Final Word
I remember the years when the Flyers won the Stanley Cup. I wondered how many cups the Leafs would have won with him in net. I wish we could have had him for a couple more years. The world is a lot sadder without him.
Randy
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