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Reader salutes a fallen Flyers legend

By Craig Reader Sep 22, 2025 | 6:07 PM

Reader here, and the past three weeks or so have been tough for hockey fans, especially fans of some of the NHL’s greatest goalies.

First, on Sept. 5, legendary Montreal Canadiens netminder Ken Dryden passed away at the age of 78, following a battle with cancer.

Then, on the 14th, one of the New York Rangers’ best-ever goalies, Eddie Giacomin died at the age of 86.

And then yesterday, word came that the greatest goalie in Philadelphia Flyers history, the legendary Bernie Parent passed at the age of 80.

That’s three Hall of Famers gone in the blink of an eye.

Each meant the world to their teams and their fans, but I admit, the loss of Bernie hit me the hardest,

If you know me, you know I am a diehard Flyers fan.  Have been since I was seven years old.  I was born two years after Philly won their second (and most recent) Stanley Cup, in 1975.

I was too young to remember seeing Bernie play for the Flyers, but through the magic of YouTube, you can look back on his storied career.

Bernie Parent was THE original Flyer, taken second overall in the 1967 expansion draft, and went on to have a Hall of Fame career, backstopping the Orange & Black to their only two Stanley Cups, in ‘74 and ‘75.
In the two Cup years, he won the Vezina as the league’s top goalie, along with a pair of Conn Smythe trophies, as the playoff most valuable player.
Even though his career was cut short by injury in 1979, and he battled some personal issues related to the premature end of his playing life, Bernie rebounded and regained the joy in his life, becoming a Philadelphia icon, beloved both on and off the ice.
His teammates loved his loyalty and goofy sense of humour, and they knew that with #1 between the pipes, they always had a chance to win.
But reading stories about him since his passing was announced, it’s more amazing just how much he loved his adopted city, and how much the City of Brotherly Love loved him back.

Take a few moments and watch the video below, and you’ll see what I mean.

Bernie was an animal lover, and devoted a ton of time to the Pennsylvania SPCA.

He loved brightening the days of kids going through tough medical issues by visiting the local children’s hospitals, often dressing up as Santa Claus at Christmas time.

And he enjoyed visiting and mentoring kids that were taking part in the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, making sure all kids had a chance to play the game he loved.

He loved his wife Gini and their family, he loved his teammates, his city, and life in general.  Bernie Parent was a guy who wrung every last bit of joy out of his life, and he was happiest when he knew that the people around him enjoyed life too.  He knew that as big a deal as hockey was, life away from the rink was just as, if not more important.

#1 was a one-off.  Farewell, Bernie.

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