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Philadelphia Flyers

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The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Facts

Founded: 1967-68 (franchise awarded February 9, 1966)
Arena: Wachovia Center (1996-present), (Capacity 19,519)
Former Home Arena: The Spectrum (1967-1996)
Uniform colors: orange, black, white
Logo design: the letter "P" with an orange dot in the center and wings streaking from the back
Division Championships: 15 (1967-68, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1979-80, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1999-00, 2001-02, 2003-04)
Conference Championships: 7 (1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1979-80, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1996-97)
Most Points in NHL: 3 times (1974-75 (113), 1979-80 (116), 1984-85 (113))
Stanley Cup Finals appearances: 7 (1973-74; defeated Boston, 4-2), (1974-75; defeated Buffalo, 4-2), (1975-76; lost to Montreal, 0-4), (1979-80; lost to NY Islanders, 2-4), (1984-85; lost to Edmonton, 1-4), (1986-87; lost to Edmonton, 3-4), (1996-97; lost to Detroit, 0-4)
Stanley Cup Championships: 2 (1973-74, 1974-75)
Added in the 1967 NHL Expansion, along with the California Seals, Minnesota North Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues.
Main Rivals: New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres

Franchise history

For more details on this topic, see History of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Beginning play in 1967-68, the new expansion teams were hampered by restrictive rules that kept all major talent with the Original Six. Though they struggled early on, the Flyers would prove by the early 1970s that they could challenge the Original Six. Center Bobby Clarke and goaltender Bernie Parent would emerge as the team's first superstars as the Flyers became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup in 1973-74, defeating Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins in a six-game Finals series.

The Flyers, however, were derided by other teams (and idolized by their fans) for being the "Broad Street Bullies" (the Spectrum's location on Philadelphia being Broad Street). Seven players racked up over 100 penalty minutes during that first Cup-winning season. They successfully defended their title in 1974-75 by defeating the Buffalo Sabres in another six-game Finals series. Despite failing to capture a third consecutive Stanley Cup in 1975-76 (being swept in the Finals by the Montreal Canadiens), the Flyers were still victorious against the Soviet Union’s dominant Central Red Army team in a memorable exhibition game held on January 11, 1976 in Philadelphia, 4-1.

In 1979-80 they would go undefeated for a North American professional sports record 35 straight games (25-0-10), a record that still stands to this day. They failed to win the Cup that year, losing to the New York Islanders on a disputed off-sides call, 4 games to 2. The Flyers would return to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1984-85 and 1986-87 behind the goaltending of Pelle Lindbergh and Ron Hextall respectively, but would lose both times to Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers.

In 1992, the Flyers made an infamous trade to acquire 1991 first overall pick Eric Lindros from the Quebec Nordiques in exchange for six players (including Peter Forsberg), two future 1st-round draft picks, and $15 million. Lindros' playing career with the Flyers, beginning in 1992-93 and ending in 1999-00, showed glimpses of greatness but was marred by major injuries and bickering with General Manager Bob Clarke. While the trade yielded two Stanley Cups for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise, the Flyers only had one trip to the Finals -- a sweep at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings in 1996-97 -- to show for it.

Once the NHL Lockout came to an end, the Flyers signed their former 1st-round draft pick Peter Forsberg to a two-year contract. Forsberg, along with Simon Gagne, Mike Knuble, Joni Pitkanen, and Keith Primeau highlight the current squad.

Team name/logo

Philadelphia's alternate logo; a sleeker, more stylized version of the Flyer's main logo.
Enlarge
Philadelphia's alternate logo; a sleeker, more stylized version of the Flyer's main logo.

The Flyers name was chosen to convey the motion and excitement that was to be consistent with both hockey in general, as well as the new Philadelphia club. Despite the idea for the name being the brainchild of owner Ed Snider's sister, the name was officially chosen by then nine year old Alec Stockard, among others who had all unknowingly chosen the winning name in a mail in contest conducted by Acme Markets. However, Stockard had spelled his entry "Fliers", as it appears first in the English dictionary. To this day, it is unknown why the second spelling of the word, replacing the "i" with a "y" was chosen over the first. Some of the names that were considered but abandoned in favor of "Flyers" were: Lancers, Raiders, Royals, Sabres, Knights, Huskies, Blizzards, Ice Caps, Ice Picks, Greenbacks, Liberty Bells and Quakers.

The Flyers' logo was a creation of artist Sam Ciccone. Like the name, the idea behind the logo was to convey the motion and speed of hockey, while referring to both the sport and the city. Ciccone came up with the now familiar stylized P containing an orange hockey puck, with four wings coming off the back. This logo was reflective of both the team's new name and the city of Philadelphia. Although Ciccone created other designs, the P was almost instantly the clear choice for all involved.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Records as of July 13, 2006 Hockeydb.com, [Philadelphia Flyers season statistics and records.]

Season GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1967-68 74 31 32 11 73 173 179 987 1st in West Lost in Quarterfinals, 3-4 (Blues)
1968-69 76 20 35 21 61 174 225 964 3rd in West Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Blues)
1969-70 76 17 35 24 58 197 225 1123 5th in West Out of Playoffs
1970-71 78 28 33 17 73 207 225 1060 3rd in West Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Blackhawks)
1971-72 78 26 38 14 66 200 236 1233 5th in West Out of Playoffs
1972-73 78 37 30 11 85 296 256 1756 2nd in West Lost in Semifinals, 1-4 (Canadiens)
1973-74 78 50 16 12 112 273 164 1750 1st in West Stanley Cup Champions, 4-2 (Bruins)
1974-75 80 51 18 11 113 293 181 1969 1st in Patrick Stanley Cup Champions, 4-2 (Sabres)
1975-76 80 51 13 16 118 348 209 1980 1st in Patrick Lost in Finals, 0-4 (Canadiens)
1976-77 80 48 16 16 112 323 213 1547 1st in Patrick Lost in Semifinals, 0-4 (Bruins)
1977-78 80 45 20 15 105 296 200 1668 2nd in Patrick Lost in Semifinals, 1-4 (Bruins)
1978-79 80 40 25 15 95 281 248 1548 2nd in Patrick Lost in Quarterfinals, 1-4 (Rangers)
1979-80 80 48 12 20 116 327 254 1844 1st in Patrick Lost in Finals, 2-4 (Islanders)
1980-81 80 41 24 15 97 313 249 2621 2nd in Patrick Lost in Quarterfinals, 3-4 (Flames)
1981-82 80 38 31 11 87 325 313 2493 3rd in Patrick Lost in Division Semifinals, 1-3 (Rangers)
1982-83 80 49 23 8 106 326 240 1337 1st in Patrick Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-3 (Rangers)
1983-84 80 44 26 10 98 350 290 1488 3rd in Patrick Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-3 (Capitals)
1984-85 80 53 20 7 113 348 241 1540 1st in Patrick Lost in Finals, 1-4 (Oilers)
1985-86 80 53 23 4 110 335 241 2025 1st in Patrick Lost in Division Semifinals, 2-3 (Rangers)
1986-87 80 46 26 8 100 310 245 2082 1st in Patrick Lost in Finals, 3-4 (Oilers)
1987-88 80 38 33 9 85 292 292 2194 2nd in Patrick Lost in Division Semifinals, 3-4 (Capitals)
1988-89 80 36 36 8 80 307 285 2317 4th in Patrick Lost in Conference Finals, 2-4 (Canadiens)
1989-90 80 30 39 11 71 290 297 2067 6th in Patrick Out of Playoffs
1990-91 80 33 37 10 76 252 267 1945 5th in Patrick Out of Playoffs
1991-92 80 32 37 11 75 252 273 1838 6th in Patrick Out of Playoffs
1992-93 84 36 37 11 83 319 319 1887 5th in Patrick Out of Playoffs
1993-94 84 35 39 10 80 294 314 1697 6th in Atlantic Out of Playoffs
1994-951 48 28 16 4 60 150 132 741 1st in Atlantic Lost in Conference Finals, 2-4 (Devils)
1995-96 82 45 24 13 107 282 208 1785 1st in Atlantic Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Panthers)
1996-97 82 45 24 13 103 274 217 1699 2nd in Atlantic Lost in Finals, 0-4 (Red Wings)
1997-98 82 42 29 11 95 242 193 1766 2nd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1-4 (Sabres)
1998-99 82 37 26 19 93 231 196 1075 2nd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2-4 (Maple Leafs)
1999-00 82 45 22 12 3 105 237 179 1233 1st in Atlantic Lost in Conference Finals, 3-4 (Devils)
2000-01 82 43 25 11 3 100 240 207 1183 2nd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2-4 (Sabres)
2001-02 82 42 27 10 3 97 234 192 1242 1st in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1-4 (Senators)
2002-03 82 45 20 13 4 107 211 166 1003 2nd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Senators)
2003-04 82 40 21 15 6 101 229 186 1357 1st in Atlantic Lost in Conference Finals, 3-4 (Lightning)
2004-052
2005-06 82 45 26 3 11 101 267 258 1187 2nd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2-4 (Sabres)
Total 3014 1513 1014 457 30 3513 10298 8816 60044

1 Season was shortened due to the 1994-95 NHL lockout.
2 Season was cancelled due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
3 As of the 2005-06 NHL Season, all games will have a winner and OTL includes SOL (Shootout losses).

Notable players

Current squad

As of July 13, 2006 [link]

Goaltenders
Number

Player Catches Acquired Place of Birth
30 Antero Niittymäki L 1998 Turku, Finland

42 Robert Esche L 2002 Whitesboro, New York

Defensemen
Number

Player Shoots Acquired Place of Birth
- Nolan Baumgartner R 2006 Calgary, Alberta

- Lars Jonsson L 2006 Borlange, Sweden

2 Derian Hatcher - C L 2005 Sterling Heights, Michigan

3 Mike Rathje L 2005 Mannville, Alberta

23 Denis Gauthier L 2006 Montreal, Quebec

34 Freddy Meyer L 2003 Sanbornville, New Hampshire

41 Alexandre Picard L 2003 Gatineau, Quebec

44 Joni Pitkänen L 2002 Oulu, Finland

Forwards
Number

Player Shoots Position Acquired Place of Birth
- Mark Cullen L C/LW 2006 Moorhead, Minnesota

- Marty Murray L C 2006 Deloraine, Manitoba

- Randy Robitaille L C/LW 2006 Ottawa, Ontario

- Brad Tapper R RW 2006 Scarborough, Ontario

11 Ryan Potulny L C 2003 Grand Forks, North Dakota

12 Simon Gagne - A L LW 1998 Ste-Foy, Quebec

15 Niko Dimitrakos R RW 2006 Somerville, Massachusetts

17 Jeff Carter R C/RW 2003 London, Ontario

18 Mike Richards L C 2003 Kenora, Ontario

20 R.J. Umberger L C 2004 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

21 Peter Forsberg L C/W 2005 Ornskoldsvik, Sweden

22 Mike Knuble R RW/LW 2004 Toronto, Ontario

24 Sami Kapanen - A L LW/RW 2003 Vantaa, Finland

25 Keith Primeau - C
L C 2000 Toronto, Ontario

26 Michal Handzus L C/LW 2002 Banska Bystrica, Czechoslovakia

55 Ben Eager L LW 2004 Ottawa, Ontario

93 Petr Nedved L C 2006 Liberec, Czechoslovakia

Retired numbers

The #31 jersey of Pelle Lindbergh (1981-86) has not been officially retired, but the Flyers have not issued that jersey since his death in November 1985.

Team captains

# Name Seasons
1 Lou Angotti 1967-68
2 Ed Van Impe 1968-69 to 1972-73
3 Bobby Clarke 1972-73 through 1978-79
4 Mel Bridgman 1979-80 through 1980-81
5 Bill Barber 1981-82 to 1982-83
6 Bobby Clarke 1982-83 through 1983-84
7 Dave Poulin 1984-85 to 1989-90
8 Ron Sutter 1989-90 through 1990-91
9 Rick Tocchet 1991-92
10 Kevin Dineen 1993-94
11 Eric Lindros 1994-95 to 1999-00
12 Eric Desjardins 1999-00 to 2001-02
13 Keith Primeau 2001-02 to present
14 Derian Hatcher 2005-06 to present (serving as captain while Primeau is injured)

First round draft picks


Team records

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in the history of the Flyers. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season. Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points
Player POS GP G A Pts
Bobby Clarke C 1144 358 852 1210
Bill Barber LW 903 420 463 883
Brian Propp LW 790 369 480 849
Rick MacLeish C 741 328 369 697
Eric Lindros C 486 290 369 659
Tim Kerr RW 601 363 287 650
John LeClair LW 649 333 310 643
Mark Recchi RW 602 232 395 627
Rod Brind'Amour C 633 235 366 601
Gary Dornhoefer RW 725 202 316 518

NHL Awards and Trophies

Stanley Cup Prince of Wales Trophy Clarence S. Campbell Bowl Hart Memorial Trophy Lester B. Pearson Award Vezina Trophy Conn Smythe Trophy Frank J. Selke Trophy William M. Jennings Trophy Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy NHL Plus/Minus Award Jack Adams Award Lester Patrick Trophy

Team Awards

Every season, the Flyers give out these awards to certain players for achievement in the following categories:

See also

External links

National Hockey League 1917 to present
Current teams : Anaheim | Atlanta | Boston | Buffalo | Calgary | Carolina | Chicago | Colorado | Columbus | Dallas | Detroit | Edmonton | Florida | Los Angeles | Minnesota | Montreal | Nashville | New Jersey | NY Islanders | NY Rangers | Ottawa | Philadelphia | Phoenix | Pittsburgh | San Jose | St. Louis | Tampa Bay | Toronto | Vancouver | Washington
Trophies and awards: Stanley Cup | Prince of Wales | Clarence S. Campbell | Presidents' Trophy | Adams | Art Ross | Calder | Conn Smythe | Crozier | Hart | Jennings | King Clancy | Lady Byng | Masterton | Norris | Patrick | Pearson | Plus/Minus | Rocket Richard | Selke | Vezina

 


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