The words “legend” and “icon” are overused in the world of sports. In the case of Bernie Parent, however, they are fitting descriptions. He was a genuine hockey legend and a Philadelphia Flyers icon.
Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks is credited with saying, “the measure of a man is in the lives that he touched.” Bernie Parent touched the lives of generations of Philadelphians, hockey lovers and non-fans alike.
It’s easy to find lists of his career accomplishments. There were many: two Stanley Cup rings, two Conn Smythe Trophies, two Vezina Trophies, Hockey Hall of Fame induction, Flyers Hall of Fame, etc. These, however, barely scratch the surface of Bernard Marcel Parent’s legacy.
Bernie Parent brought smiles to countless faces with his good humor and friendly manner. He gave generously of his time to Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education and dozens of other charities and community organizations. He was beloved by the Flyers Alumni as well as Flyers fans.
Wherever Bernie went, he drew a crowd. He had a pied piper effect, even among folks who weren’t born yet when he played his final NHL game.
Moreover, Bernie always wore his humanity with grace and self-effacing candor. He had a gift for turning sadness, even his own, into positivity and optimism.
There are legions of Bernie Parent stories, both funny and/or moving. Perhaps the most cathartic way to remember Bernie is by sharing personal moments. Many come flooding back, involving Bernie by himself, or with Broad Street Bullies teammates or his own family.
Flyers Alumni Pay Tribute
“Bernie and I were friends for 62 years. Sixty-two years! We had so much fun together, went through so much together on and off the ice. We wouldn’t won the 1974 Cup with any other goalie. We were a better team the second year, but Bernie won the Conn Smyhe Trophy again. More than that, he was a good friend for life.”
— Joe Watson
“I was incredibly saddened to hear of Bernie’s passing. Bernie was a terrific human being. He was a man who was always happy, always laughing and was always fun to be around. He did what all great hockey players do – he played for the hockey team. The two years that we won the Stanley Cup, he was the only member of that team that we could not have been without if we were going to win. He was the best goalie in hockey for those two years. His life was more than just hockey. He was a fisherman and a hunter but just a really, really good person. My deepest condolences to his wife, Gini, and his entire family during this difficult time.”
— Bob Clarke
“I used to ask Bernie, ‘How many goals do you need tonight?’ One. Two. He never said more than two. So in other words, get him two goals and we’d win the hockey game.”
— Gary Dornhoefer (from Twenty-Five Years of Pride and Tradition)
“Bernie kept everyone loose. He’d call one of us over during a stoppage, push up his mask and everyone’s thinking, ‘That’s great. Bernie’s going through some strategy there. But he’d really be saying, ‘Ya know, Ed [Van Impe]. Tonight, I think I’m gonna have have two pieces of the pizza!”… Just stuff like that to stay relaxed and keep us relaxed.”
— Bob Kelly from Twenty-Five Years of Pride and Tradition)
“Bernie was a good man, a great friend, a great teammate and a great goalie. We’re all going to miss him.”
— Reggie Leach
“Bernie enabled us to play the way we needed to play to be successful. The results spoke for themselves. We were a good team but he helped make us a champion.”
— Bill Barber (50th anniversary gala)