Bernie Parent - G

Bernie Parent was the Flyers’ first expansion draft pick in 1967, selected from the Bruins. In the first season he started 50% of the games, while #2 expansion pick Doug Favell (also from the Bruins) started the other 50%.

Over the next few years, Parent was their #1 net-minder, starting 75% to 80% of the games in seasons 2 and 3. 

 

After 33 starts in the 1970-71 season, Parent was traded to the Maple Leafs for goaltender Bruce Gamble and a #1 draft pick. He shared the goaltending with the veteran Jacques Plante for the rest of that season and the next season. Parent has said that Plante was instrumental in improving his game. 

 

Bernie jumped to the WHA for the 1972-73 season, playing for the Philadelphia Blazers in that league’s 1st season. 

 

After the season, the Flyers re-acquired Parent’s rights from Toronto in exchange for Doug Favell. Bernie moved from Center City (where the Blazers played) to South Philadelphia, and carried the Flyers to two consecutive Stanley Cup championships, while starting 90% of the games. He also made the All-Star team in both seasons and won the Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy twice. 

 

I remember thinking back then “Wow, two cups in a row. This is going to be a sweet dynasty!” Oh, well… 

 

Parent missed most of the 1975-76 season with a neck injury. The Flyers still made it to the finals, but lost to the Canadiens in 4 games. 

 

He bounced back in 1976-77, starting 75% of the games and making another All-Star team. Parent played for 2 more seasons, but with a reduced workload. An eye injury in late-Spring 1979 ended his career. 

 

Bernie was the Flyers’ goaltending coach for several years, working with Pelle Lindbergh and Ron Hextall. Later, he was a team ambassador, due to his great popularity with the fans. 

 

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984, and in both 1998 and 2017 was ranked as one of the NHL’s top 100 players. Parent passed away in 2025 at age 80. 

 

In the early 2000s, both of my sons played inline hockey. The youngest one was a goalie for a few seasons. He and I met Parent at an autograph session at our local sports card store. When my son told Bernie that he was also a goalie, Parent fist-bumped him with his huge Stanley Cup ring. It was a moment we’ll never forget.