It’s a sad day in the hockey world, especially in Philadelphia. News emerged on Sunday that Bernie Parent has died at the age of 80. The Philadelphia Flyers announced Parent’s passing on Sunday morning.
Bernie Parent, the Hall of Fame goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers, has died at 80. The Flyers made the announcement Sunday but provided no immediate details.
Philadelphia Flyers Legend Bernie Parent Has Died at the Age of 80
Parent was a two-time Vezina Trophy winner for the league’s best goalie in 1974 and 1975. He patrolled the crease for the Broad Street Bullies and backstopped them to championships in 1974 and 1975. Parent was the Conn Smythe winner for both of those Stanley Cup Playoff victories.
The Montreal native started his career with the Boston Bruins, but was taken by Philadelphia in the expansion draft. He was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs and joined boyhood idol Jacques Plante, where Parent learned from the Hall of Famer.
Parent played in the WHA, but the Leafs dealt his rights back to the Flyers. After that move, his career really took off, and he was a linchpin of the Flyers’ Stanley Cup title runs.
However, his career ended in 1979 after he was poked in the eye when an opponent’s stick went through his mask. Parent suffered permanent vision damage as a result of the injury. He had his number retired and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.
What It Means
Many people think of Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, and others. However, Parent was one of the main reasons that the franchise has two Stanley Cups.
Parent was in the crease for many important moments in the team’s history. He may have been in goal for the two championships, but he was also in net for the 1976 game against the Soviet Red Army.
The veteran goalie has also elected to The Hockey News’ list of the 100 greatest players. Parent will be remembered as one the Flyers greatest all-time players.
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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