Inside Access: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

 

Introductions

My first trip to the Wells Fargo Center since the virus-shortened 2019-20 season. The organization's media relations department remains, as it has always been, first-rate. The experience has held since 2011 when I was first credentialed.

Pregame as a member of the media includes a good meal (chicken Marsala, with nice sides, soup, and a chocolate chunk cookie) on the lower level, followed by setup. Looking down at the empty arena before any game is always a surreal moment, as personal hockey history, dating back to the 1970s and career sports experience, dating back to the late 1980s, collides. Use of that verb, rather than combines, felt right based on the nature of this sport.

The Philadelphia Flyers (8-9-4) enters the tilt as pressure continues to build, with seven consecutive losses (including one by shootout and another in overtime). The Tampa Bay Lightning (14-5-4). At this pace, the Flyers face a challenge remaining in the playoff hunt. The reigning, two-time Stanley Cup champion Lightning could three-peat.

Claude Giroux is the Flyers leading scorer with 18 points. The Lightning have three players at 20 points or above, led by Steven Stamkos, 26 points. Victor Hedman is second in scoring, with 23 points. That contrasts with the Flyers lack of its top D-man, Ryan Ellis, who was the key off-season addition, is reinforced as a result.

Lightning starters: Former Flyer, goalie Brian Elliott, defensemen Jan Rutta, Hedman, and forwards Alex Killorn, Gabriel Fortier, and Anthony Cirelli.

Flyers starters: Goalie Carter Hart, defenseman Ivan Provorov, Rasmus Ristolainen, Giroux, Cam Atkinson, and Sean Couturier. Also, Patrick Brown returns after missing time due to injury.

The evergreen sound of Lauren Hart, with the digital flag-waving full-ice, as the anthem plays, never tires.

A fitting moment of silence for Flyers executive Phil Weinberg, who recently passed, reminds fans of the family feel that has been a prominent part of this team's storied history. He is considered by many to be second only to founder Ed Snider as the most important off-ice figure in franchise history.

First period

Flyers with the early shot advantage (6-2), through nearly the first seven minutes of the game. A potential Lightning goal review confirmed that the puck did not cross the goal line at 7:08.

Hart's calm demeanor reflects what he's recaptured or re-instituted following last season's sidetrack. However, defensive issues continue.

Tampa goal at 8:24, scored by Ryan McDonaugh (his second goal of the season). Assists from Stamkos and Mathieu Joseph.

The lead doubled exactly one minute later, as Corey Perry scored (his fourth of the season). Assists from McDonagh and former Flyer, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

Flyers are outshooting the Lightning 12-8 with nearly eight minutes remaining in the frame.

Minimal pressure on Moose (who is 36), which he could not claim last season. The volume of games he was needed in during the 2020-21 season wore him down, with this season's move to Martin Jones (32) deemed necessary.

Shots: Philadelphia 14 - Tampa 9

Score: Tampa 2 - Philadelphia 0

Intermission Mites On Ice is always a crowd-pleaser.

Giroux Flyers offensive Time-on-ice leader (6:50) in this period. Last year of his contract and time in Philadelphia? Later season trade potential, if this team does not reverse course and Giroux (who has a no-movement clause) agrees to be dealt from the team he captains.

Second period

Tampa took it to 3-0 at the 2:56 mark. Goal scored by Taylor Raddysh (his second of the season). Assists from Hedman and Ross Colton.

Flyers had a 10-game losing streak during the Hakstol era but made the playoffs. A loss today would put them two away from a double-digit line no one wants to reach.

Game likely out of reach at 6:47. Boris Katchouk (his first of the season). Assists from Colton and Hedman.

During a Flyers power play - A misplay by Hart turned the puck over to Joseph, who scored an unassisted and short-handed goal at 8:34. The goal was Joseph's fourth overall of the season.

That led to Hart's pull from the game, with Jones replacing him.

Strong teams know how to sink the knife on a weakened opponent. Flyers need to regain composure and try to outscore Lightning from here on out to gain something from this game.

Philadelphia out-shooting Tampa Bay 19-17 through slightly over thirteen minutes into the period.

Nothing to show on a power play, as the Flyers' offensive zone confidence was shaken weeks ago.

A goal review took place, with the position of Scott Laughton's stick, when he touched a puck that then crossed the goal line, being in doubt. It was determined that a high stick was used. So, no goal. Yes, it is one of those games for Alain Vigneault's squad.

Shots: Philadelphia 23- Tampa 18

Score: Tampa 5 - Philadelphia 0

Another Mites On Ice gave the crowd something to cheer for.

Third period

The sixth goal was scored by former Flyers' property, Pat Maroon (his fifth of the season) at 5:29. Assists from Perry and Hedman.

A brawl ensued shortly after behind Elliott, with the fans offering a 1970's style cheers. Flyers gained the man advantage at 6:38, hoping to avoid the shutout. And they did, as a deflected goal by Atkinson (his eighth of the season), on a shot by Giroux, made the score 6-1 at 7:04. The other assist went to Keith Yandle.

Atkinson ended a goal drought that dates back to the Flyers last win, on November 16, 2021, against the Calgary Flames. His tally was the OT game-winner.

Perry got his second of the night at 14:15, to make it 7-1. Assists from McDonagh and Colton.

Sean Couturier was hit by a puck in the mouth in the second period, which caused significant bleeding. He returned and was wearing a cage.

Shots: Philadelphia 39 - Tampa 27

Score: Tampa 7 - Philadelphia 1

After the horn sounded

Vigneault and General Manager Chuck Fletcher have not made injury excuses. This team and others have battled that challenge.

Fletcher did change and arguably lengthen the roster in the off-season. But he is still building depth. So, injuries have reinforced organizational challenges that persist. 

The following quotes from the post-game presser are courtesy of the Flyers Media Department, with media questions noted:

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault

 

You couldn’t have asked for a better start in the first 5 minutes of the game, what happened after that?

That’s a good question. I really liked out energy and we talked about setting a fast-paced game against a team who played last night, which we did initially. I think we still kept going at them hard after their first goal and their second goal for whatever reason hurt us. They were able to find the back of our net after their first couple chances. It didn’t go well for us, and we will have to regroup here since we don’t have a lot of time before we play tomorrow.

 

What do you tell your team after a game like this?

At the end of the day no one is going to feel sorry for us. We had two good practice days and I thought we came out hard, but obviously everything that unfolded after their second goal wasn’t very good. We will get back at it here tomorrow and have a couple quick meetings and get our guys focused on what we need to do on the ice and hopefully we can bring the energy and execution against a really solid team.

 

Are you and the team just struggling for answers right now?

We are looking for solutions to our situation. We all have a job to do and need to get to work and do our part. The guy that is the leader of this group who has both his hands on the steering wheel is me and I have to find a way to get this group to play better. We are in a bad skid right now and we need to end this. We have an opportunity tomorrow night and hopefully we will play better.

 

Will Jones be in goal?

Yes.

Philadelphia Flyers G Carter Hart

 

Is it hard as a team to keep out negative thoughts?

I mean obviously not the result we want, but I think we are trying hard. Just things aren’t going our way right now. It’s tough, but we just have to stick with it. It can be hard to do that when things aren’t going our way, but we just got to keep working. We started off hot and came out hard, but they got a couple early and it went from there. 

 

What happened on your final goal?

I mean I just turned it over and they put it on the net. 

 

Were you okay leaving the crease or do you think you should have stayed?

I mean I was trying to get it off the boards and I didn’t, and it was put in the net. It was a tough break and I have to make a better play. 

Philadelphia Flyers LW James van Riemsdyk

 

James, you guys had basically the start you wanted in the game. When things are going the way they are, how easy is it to have negative thoughts?

Like you said, I thought we got off to a good start. They bent but didn’t break. Unfortunately, when they got a couple, it seemed to snowball on us. It seems to be the way it’s been going for us lately.

 

Does it feel a lot like last season when one thing went wrong, it became part of that downward spiral that you talked all training camp about avoiding. Does it feel like that?

Yeah, it’s hard to say. Certainly, tonight it went that way for sure. I don’t know. It’s hard to really put your finger on it.  Obviously not good enough and I think we’re capable of a lot better.

 

It seems like some guys are passing up opportunities on some pretty good chances or overthinking it. Why do you think that is and how do you go about fixing that?

I think we have a lot of guys in there that really care and want to do well. When it’s not going our way like it is right now, sometimes that can creep in a little bit. I think as hard as it can be, we have to do a good job of staying positive and just sticking to playing direct and try to play with your instincts. That’s usually when you play your best. Obviously, we know we’ve dug ourselves a little bit of a hole here, but we have a big game tomorrow night. We have to have the mindset and the attitude that it starts tomorrow and have a good game, good first shift, good first period, and then build off that.

 

Philadelphia Flyers RW Cam Atkinson

 

AV said he’s the one with his hands on the steering wheel, is it a little embarrassing when you come out and perform like that and he’s the one who has to take the heat?

Absolutely, it’s not a little embarrassing, at the end of the day it’s the players that have to dig deep, and obviously stick together. I’ve been in a lot worse situations than this. At the end of the day, we have to take a little pride in coming to the rink and battling. It’s ultimately the players that are going to dig ourselves out of this. I think we had a good conversation after the game. Luckily, we have another opportunity tomorrow to just play the right way- play hard, play for each other.

 

Do you think you guys are over-passing, overthinking certain plays in the offensive zone?

Yeah, sometimes or most of the times it looks like we’re trying to pass the puck into the net. We need to shoot the puck. That’s where you get rebounds. I think we’re trying to be a little too cute. We score all our goals in the dirty areas. We’re not in position to try making those plays. The more shots, the more opportunities we’re going to get. Sometimes when you get those opportunities, it goes off your shin pad, or off your skate, whatever it is.

 

You said there was a conversation between the players after the game. What was the theme of that conversation?

I think, I said in the first question, just play with pride, play for each other. Obviously, we’re embarrassed. There’s no question about that. Our fans are, they support us, and to lay a goose egg like that in front of them, it’s embarrassing. Take a hard look in the mirror and we have another opportunity tomorrow. Let’s get back on track.

 

Philadelphia Flyers C Claude Giroux

 

AV talked about how you guys had two good days of practice and liked where everyone was. The you have a game like tonight, how do you reconcile those two things?

We started well and had some good shifts. They scored the one and they played the right way.

 

Do you get the sense that right now this is a fragile team, where one thing goes wrong and it snowballs?

I mean if you look at the game tonight, yeah. I think that is pretty accurate. I have played a lot of embarrassing games, and this is definitely one of them. We need to figure it out pretty quick here.

 

Cam said you guys had a good conversation in the locker room after the game, what was the theme of that conversation?

Well obviously, that is going to stay there. Personally, I have been on a team here where we lost 10 in a row and made the playoffs, so I know it may be weird to say but we do have confidence in each other. We can be a dangerous team and we know we can win some hockey games. Right now, we just need to find our swagger, compete and play 60 minutes. Right now, we just aren’t doing that.

Tampa Bay Lightning G Brian Elliott

 

After spending so much time here, was this an important experience/game that you win?

Anytime that you come to a building that you’ve played a while at, you want to have success, you want to shake off the demons. It’s something that you definitely circle in the calendar and if you get a chance to play you want to do your best. We’re coming off a game that we probably didn’t play our best, in Boston we got two points and back-to-back while they were waiting for us. It’s sometimes the recipe for disaster but I thought our guys responded, saw some big goals from the young guys coming through with fresh legs. Get seven, hopefully get a win.

 

Did you hear some of those Moose calls in the stands?

No, you never know if it's a ‘boo’ or a ‘moose’, so you try not to listen to them. It was the same when I was playing here. You try to zone it out.

 

First five or so minutes of the game you had to be really sharp coming off the back-to-back, until your team got their legs going, how aware of that are you as a goalie and can you talk about that first stretch there for you?

They’re a desperate team over there, I’ve been in that situation with the same team. It’s not a good feeling when you’re not getting the results you want. We knew they were going to come hard with a bit of a push. I thought we did a really good job weathering it and moving on from that. It shows the maturity and the culture in our room to be able to do that. It’s a big two points to bag and move on to the Canadian leg of our trip here.

Philadelphia Flyers - Patience Is the Temporary Key

 

The Philadelphia Flyers have fallen on hard times in recent weeks. The seven-game losing streak is a cause for concern. 

The Flyers negative goal differential (50 goals scored, verses 65 allowed) is meaningful. Those simple numbers mean that Alain Vigneault's injury-impacted squad ranks 28th in the National Hockey League in offense and 19th in defense. 

The immediate road ahead is tough. But seasoned General Manager Chuck Fletcher struck the right tone at his recent presser. He is practicing temporary patience. 

Of course, it is much harder for the fan base to do so, as expectations for a playoff berth were in mind when the season started. That is still possible but becomes more challenging as the division plays out and the schedule unfolds.

Philadelphia Flyers - Injuries and Lack Of Offense Concerning

The recent reinjuries to Ryan Ellis and Kevin Hayes undercut team depth significantly.

Derick Brassard's injury in the Tampa Bay Lightning road game is also troubling, as he is one of the team's top scorers.

So, Morgan Frost is teased as the next man up.

While replacements have played decently, the roster needs its full contingent, or as close to it as possible, to realistically remain in the playoff chase.

Philadelphia Flyers - Loss of Ryan Ellis Is Problematic

 

Ryan Ellis' lower-body injury appeared to have healed. But an apparent reinjury (speculated as being in the hip or groin area) is believed to have happened in the road game against the Dallas Stars. So, his status is week-to-week for now.

Hopefully, this is not becoming a chronic issue, as Ellis was the key off-season defensive addition. His absence from the Philadelphia Flyers d-core is noticeable, as the reworked regular-strength pairings do not flow nearly as smoothly. Ellis' absence from special teams also weakens those units.

Philadelphia has a good .615 winning percentage through its first 13 games (7-4-2). It is clear that far more consistent goal-tending, as compared to last season, has allowed the squad to stay in most games.

Ellis' consistent presence is needed for this team to win consistently. Otherwise, a young defenseman, who is not on the current NHL roster, would need to make a dramatic impact, or an impact veteran replacement would need to be acquired at some point, with Cap issues affecting trade considerations.

Philadelphia Flyers Encouraging Start Makes Sense

The Philadelphia Flyers went 2-1 on the road trip. There have been good starts in several games this season despite being blanked (4-0) by the Calgary Flames. 

It is fair to attribute the Flyers .643 winning percentage to this point in the early season (4-2-1) to Alain Vigneault's ability to have regular practice sessions with his club. The head coach mentioned the inability to do so last season, with that point of explanation not representing an excuse.

President, Hockey Operations and General Manager, Alternate Governor Chuck Fletcher earned the ability to sport the titles that precede his name. That experience and his assertive style allowed a significant change to the club's roster in the off-season. 

AV has a roster that includes several veteran additions. Their experience and production to date are noticeable. The four lines and defensive pairings are deeper and productive. Goaltending has been solid as well. 

There are issues to work on, including taking unnecessary penalties and ranking twentieth on the PK. 

The Flyers were 4-2-1 to start last season. But this one feels different so far. That is purely subjective, as is much of life. 

Interesting Head Coach Contrast: Alain Vigneault and Dave Hakstol

The expansion Seattle Kraken's early-season appearance allowed an interesting glimpse at the contrasting in-game and post-game presser styles between current Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault and former head coach Dave Hakstol. 

Of course, Hakstol is Seattle's first-ever bench boss, with the appearance in Philadelphia serving as Seattle's fourth game in its inaugural season. 

The following is provided courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Public Relations Department...

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault

Obviously it’s still early in the season, but is this kind of like a road map of how you want this particular team to play?

Well I definitely liked a lot of things about tonight's game, again in our start we made two major mistakes and we got two big saves right off the hub. A breakaway, a tip, and not two but three great saves, and then the one where Carter just threw himself. I mean that’s basically the difference of whether they score and they get a little confidence and a little more energy.  If they don’t score, they come right back and the next 10 minutes we’re in their zone and we score three. That was not the whole game there, but without a doubt it set us in the right direction.

 

What does it do for a team when a guy sticks up for his teammates? 

I mean, any team that has success in this league has got that ”'I’ve got your back” mentality, and there’s no doubt that everyone had their back, from Seels doing what he had to do, to Tommer, I mean that’s a tight knit group and that’s what you need to have to have success. 

 

Going back to the first period, is that the difference between that game on Friday and this one where you’ve got a lot of good play, dominant play in the first period, but you don’t get much you get the one goal, then this time you get 3?

Yeah I mean, two different games because in the one on Friday, in my estimation, we got in a lot of trouble in the second period. Tonight, we got those big saves right off the hop.  Carter was tested. He wasn’t tested last game really in that first period. He was tested, made the saves, gave confidence to our group, we scored, and in the second period we were able to get two early there. It’s a tough league but to come back from 5 is very challenging and our guys were playing well and I thought we played well for the whole game. 

 

How did you assess the penalty kill tonight? 

We didn’t give up much. Our guys obviously have been spending a lot of time, Mike Yeo has been spending a lot of time with our group there that we used to kill penalties tonight. Confident that it’s going to be a confidence builder for our group and we’re going to need to continue.

 

Alain, did that fight from Seeler really tell you a lot about him?

Right now in our group he’s our seventh defenseman.  He usually plays maybe 50 games or more, so he’s going to play for us. Our scouts and our management knew what we were getting. He didn’t play last year, but they identified him exactly how he is. A very good skater, plays the game hard, stands up for himself and his teammates, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen so far. 

Seattle Kraken Head Coach Dave Hakstol

There were many scoring chances and after that the team didn’t really much look like the team we have seen in the first three games. I am wondering what you saw from the bench with regards to their energy level and the chances they had after those.

We had a really competitive start in the first ten minutes and we did have a couple of good scoring chances. Like I said we had a good competitive start and we gave up our first goal from 200 feet away which was a theme tonight on probably four of their goals. We got beat up. After that first goal we got back on our heels and we really didn’t regain any consistent push.

Was it a matter of effort or just overall energy?

There are a lot of things it looks like. We were out of sync. We couldn’t put ourselves back on the right track. That is the end result

Was it a tough decision at all to pull Grubauer and make that change?

No, and you know what if I had a do over I would have gotten him out of there one sooner, so no. Not indicative of his play whatsoever. He has played a lot of hockey for us and he has been outstanding.

The guys we just spoke to earlier they were saying the things that have been normal staples of our game: communication, forechecking and all those things weren’t there for us tonight. When you hear your players being that self-aware what does that tell you going forward? Not much really needs to be said on your end or how do you asses that?

That’s a positive thing there is an understanding of that. We have to look at it and we obviously don’t have a lot of time, but we will look at those things and we have to get back into our game really quickly. There is a dropped puck 20 hours from now in New Jersey. I look at the goals we gave up and like I said there were at least four of them from at least 150 feet away that began through a turnover or some other type of play up ice and then those plays ended up in the back of the net.  Those are things that absolutely can’t happen.

There is the context that this is a group still trying to figure things out I mean this is only game 4 of the season, game 4 of your whole existence do you think about that context or do you not think about that context?

I think of the perspective that we have a job to do and that’s what we are here to do and tonight we didn’t do that. You have to turn the page quickly yet you still have to take what we can from this game here tonight. Can’t just wipe it off the slate you have to take the lessons out of it. If there is a growth opportunity for our team we have to grab it and most importantly we have got to be a better hockey team tomorrow night.

Reboot Post: An Interview with Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Bernie Parent

Just prior to the start of the Philadelphia Flyers 2021-22 season is a good time to repost this interview with the top goaltender in franchise history and National Hockey League Hall of Famer, Bernie Parent...

Spending a few hours with Philadelphia Flyers' legend Bernie Parent was well worth the trip to his office in New Jersey. The one-on-one conversation we had easily ranks among the most memorable interviews that I've had in my professional career, which dates back to 1990. Here's a full replay of an online feature that originally premiered in the fall of 2010...

“Today, my philosophy has changed tremendously. Everything comes from what you think about. Whatever you are thinking, you are going to attract. When you are happy, good things will come to you, ” Bernard Marcel Parent.

A week prior to his participation in the Spectrum's demolition ceremonies, I had the chance to discuss hockey, business, and philosophy with Bernie Parent. In doing so, I learned about the man who was a steady rock on those Flyers 1970's Stanley Cup teams. The former goaltender's candor and warm demeanor revealed how he has transitioned from a Hall of Fame sports career to life after the game.

“The last time I was in the Spectrum, I went down to the floor and stood where the holes for the net used to be. I was there for about 10 to15 minutes looking at the whole building. I relived the memories one last time. It was a beautiful thing,” Parent said.

Parent, who will be honored by the Flyers on December 8^th at “Bernie Parent night”, has remained a member of the Flyers' family, serving as an ambassador for the team.

New book to be released

He also is the author of a forthcoming book, My Journey Through Fear and Risk, which was developed through his experiences, conversations, and motivational speeches that he has given since his playing career ended. The book will be available to corporations, schools, non-profits, and individuals. In it, he discusses life after hockey and how each person can develop a proper philosophy. It also contains a menu of 15 topics to select from which facilitates Parent's in-person presentations.

In addition to authoring a book, he has continued to represent a number of different corporations, and make public relations appearances around the country and in Canada.

Business requests can be made through his manager, Dean Smith, who can be contacted at: 856-988-0001 and through Parent's website.

“When I talk with people, I tell them to find out what their purpose is. They need to find what they love to do and dedicate their lives to it. That's when you get involved in fear and risk. You may have to change everything in your life, but risk is a beautiful thing. That is when things happen. All successful people have taken risks,” Parent said.

Learning from the master

Parent's hockey career was partly inspired by Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, whose sister lived aside of his family home.

“I was a shy kid, so when Plante would come to visit his sister I would always watch him. I can see in my mind exactly what his sister's house looked like, how he got out of his car, stood in front of the house smoking a cigar, and how he walked up the steps,” Parent fondly recalled.

“My goal as a little leaguer was to get to the National Hockey League and then to win the Stanley Cup. When I was a kid I might have had 200 people telling me that I wasn't going to make it. They said I

wasn't big enough, or strong enough. But, when you have passion and are good enough, the obstacles fade away,” Parent said.

After playing in the junior leagues for the Niagara Falls Flyers, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the mid-1960's. Later he was selected in the 1967 NHL expansion draft by the Flyers and played in Philadelphia until he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1971. Their starting goalie at the time was none other than Jacques Plante.

“When I was traded to Toronto, I had some doubts at first. That was a low point in my career because I wasn't looking at the right side of the coin. I was thinking about the Flyers not wanting me, rather than the fact that the Leaf's did want me. Plus, the person who I admired as a child, Plante, was their goalie. I learned a great lesson from that whole experience,” Parent said.

“I was there (in Toronto) for two years. I watched Plante play from the bench. He was incredible! You don't want to copy someone, but take what they have an add it to your own style. So, one day, I said to him, 'Jacques, can you teach me?', Parent said.

In 1972, Parent took a risk and jumped to a rival league called the World Hockey Association. While playing for the Philadelphia Blazers during that 1972-73 season, he faced an average of 55 shots per game, but used that as an opportunity to apply what he had learned from Plante. When the Blazers moved to Vancouver at season's end, he decided to go back to the NHL. Toronto then traded his rights to the Flyers.

Fred Shero

Newspapers heralded his return as a move that could help the team to win the Cup in 1973-74.

“The first time I met Fred Shero he came up to me and said that he believed in team work, but didn't know anything about goaltending, so I was on my own. As soon as he said that, I knew I had the right coach,” Parent recalled.

“I got a standing ovation when I stepped onto the ice at the Spectrum during our first pre-season game that year. But, ten minutes into the game, the Rangers had scored eight goals against me. I heard a lot of boos and Freddy (Shero) pulled me out. That was my reintroduction to the city. But, when you think you have hit your lowest moments, it doesn't mean it's over. You are just being sent in a different direction,” Parent said.

A few weeks after that Rangers game, Shero had Parent start in goal for the regular season opener against Toronto. He shut them out 2-0. As we know, the Broad Street Bullies went on to famously win their first Stanley Cup that season and have “walked together forever”, just as Shero's locker room chalkboard message had encouraged them to do.

Parent earned many awards after his return to Philadelphia, including winning both the Vezina (an award given annually to the league's best goalie) and the Conn Smythe (an award given annually to the league's best playoff performance) trophies in 1973-74 and 1974-75.

Post-hockey career

A five-time All-Star, he was the toast of the town in the 1970's, adding another Cup win in 1974-75. But, after a career-ending eye injury against the Rangers, in 1979, his life changed dramatically.

“After retirement, the problem is that you can't perform in front of large crowds anymore. That is the biggest adjustment that you have to make. Money is separate adjustment,” Parent said.

He joined a self-help program that he credits with turning his life around.

“In your greatest despair, you can have your greatest victory. As long as I was the hockey player, I had a purpose. Once that stopped, that purpose was gone. I went in circles. I wasn't happy and I hung around people who had a similar outlook. I have learned that you become what you attract. So, I like to share what I went through because I want to help people to learn through my experiences,” Parent said.

During that time period he also was a goaltending coach and scout for the Flyers. Neil Little, drafted on Parent's recommendation, went on to win two Calder Cups for the Flyers AHL affiliate and today is the Flyers worldwide goalie scout.

In 1998, he was willing to let a doctor perform a new procedure on his damaged right eye. The procedure worked, restoring his vision to 20/20.

Pelle Lindbergh

Thomas Tynander and Bill Meltzer's book Behind the White Mask, contains a sharply detailed description of Lindbergh's life, career, and the father-son type relationship that he had with Parent. We discussed the book and his remembrances of Lindbergh.

“Pelle was here on Earth for a brief moment that was cut a little bit short. We are spiritual people and

I believe that when someone passes away they move onto a new place in their eternal life,” Parent reflected.

During the 1981-82 season, Lindbergh was struggling. When he was sent to the Flyers minor league team in Maine, Parent suggested that he go with him. Through his guidance, Lindbergh returned to the Flyers during that season. He went on to win the Vezina trophy in 1984-85, which Parent presented to him at the awards ceremony.

“I opened the envelope and his name was listed as the winner. He came up on stage and gave me hug. It was a big moment,” Parent fondly recalled.

“I was very grateful that I was a part of his life. A paradigm was passed from Plante, the master, to me and then I passed what I had learned on to Pelle. He had a lot of good qualities that could benefit us today,” Parent said of his former protege.

Recent pursuits

He has remained an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He values family greatly, having two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.

“It is a different phase that I'm going into now. I love children. When you watch a child, you are seeing happiness. Watch them for a half of an hour and you will learn a lot,” Parent said.

A few years ago one of Parent's sons gave him a popular DVD. He credits what he learned from it (along with it's related book) as helping him to gain a deeper understanding of life.

“The Secret helped me to see that we attract good and the bad things in life by how we think. When you have a positive view of life, good things happen to you. The greatest power on Earth is the power to choose. Once you understand the process, you can create anything that you want,” Parent said.

Ed Snider

“I believe that he is one of the best owners in professional sports and has built his own economy. He is wise enough to realize that he needs a team. He is involved with his company, but allows people to have confidence in themselves and lets his team perform. Back in 1967-68 (the team's first year) he was sitting at the kitchen table with his wife, trying to determine how they would meet payroll. Now, he is one of the most successful individuals in the Delaware Valley,” Parent said.

Flyers 2010-2011

“I think this team has the whole package. They have a great coach (Peter Laviolette) who I really like. They have great forwards and great defenseman. They also have three good goalies, who understand the game. It's exciting because the Flyers have their deepest team in a long time. They aren't hoping to win, they know they can win. If they stay healthy, they have a good chance to win the whole thing,” Parent enthusiastically said.

Packs

“I consider myself to be a wolf, because I like the freedom of choice. Choice is very, very important to me. A wolf works in packs. So, everyone doesn't have to be like me, because people all have different talents,” Parent said.

He has employed the same strategy in his current pursuits that he did when he studied Plante's goaltending techniques. He studied successful business people for five years, so that he could begin to build his own business pack.

Parent concluded by saying, “Material possessions, like us, will come and go. I am grateful for what I have been able to attract. Life is a wonderful journey.”

Postscript

Growing up in the 1970's, I was naturally a Flyers fan and spent many great days playing street hockey with cousins and elementary school friends. My uncle created cool foam goalie pads that my cousin wore during our games in his garage. Every Sunday, while my Mom was making dinner, I would put my Bernie-style mask on and fend off shots from my Dad in our own basement rink.

After completing the interview, I began my journey back through the roads that I had traveled on a few hours earlier. As I did so, I could see in my memories that we all wanted to be who Bernie was back then. I also knew that I had just spoken with someone who enjoys being who he is today.

(Thank you to Dan Morroni, who is a custom tailor in the Philadelphia region.)
(My interview was initially provided to philly2philly.com.)

Reboot: Retired NHL Referee Kerry Fraser Is Still Making The Right Calls

This interview with former NHL referee Kerry Fraser, about his autobiography, The Final Call: Hockey Stories from a Legend in Stripes, was enlightening and informative. It's also one that any hockey fan should enjoy...

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Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemeiux, Mark Messier, and Guy LeFleur are indelible hockey names. Some of their greatest moments on the ice came while they were as young as Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, and Steven Stamkos.

There are other individuals who skate on those same frozen ovals. These father-like figures, whose striped uniforms signal authority, maintain control of the game. Most officials offer solid efforts that are worthy of respect. Then there are those who, like legendary players, transcend the game through their vision, performance, and longevity.

On a dually historic day in Philadelphia last April, the Flyers beat the rival New York Rangers in a season-ending shootout. It was the first time that a team clinched a playoff spot in that fashion. It was also the last of 2,165 games that Kerry Fraser, then the League's senior referee, worked.

“During my career I learned how to pay attention to detail, recognize my imperfections, and drop my wall. It takes some in-depth soul searching to make progress. I was just shy of my 58^th birthday when I retired last season and I felt that I had given enough,” Fraser said.

The hockey world recognized more than his trademark hairstyle during Fraser's thirty-year NHL career.

“In that final season, it all came together. The players and coaches around the league were proactive in approaching me and their recognition meant a lot. I knew I was ready to move into another area of life, spend quality time with my family, and look for new challenges.”

Preseason:

Fraser was born in 1952 and grew up in Sarnia, Canada, which is 60 miles north of Detroit, Michigan. He and his brother Rick enjoyed watching the Toronto Maple Leafs on television. They spent their early years playing on a backyard rink that their Dad, a player in the International League, had built for them.

That backyard practice eventually helped Fraser to become the 19-year-old captain of the Southern Junior “A” League's Sarnia Bees. In 1972, the Bee's played a game against the Detroit Junior Red Wings. Detroit's roster included a 16-year-old forward with a famous hockey name.

“I sat with Mark Howe recently in the press box at Madison Square Garden. Back in the 1970's he was a boy in a man's body. I was 5'7” and about 140 pounds, while he was a number of inches taller and about 50 pounds heavier than me. Mark had just returned from playing in the 1972 Winter Olympics, in Japan, where the United States had won the Silver medal.”

Fraser vividly recalled a confrontation with a much younger Mr. Howe, which he detailed in his new book The Final Call: Hockey Stories From A Legend in Stripes.

“During one game we played against his team, in my final season of Jr. A hockey, I gave Mark the hardest open-ice check that I possibly could. You never want to let another player see if you're hurt, but my insides shook after I checked him. That hit let me know that I needed to look for another type of work.”

Regular Season:

Through a referral of his Dad's hockey teammate, Ted Garvin, he attended the Haliburton Referee school in August, 1972. He worked through that decade, before earning a promotion to the NHL in 1980. He dropped his first puck in Colorado, when the Rockies faced off against the Minnesota North Stars.

“Ted said that, to be a good official, I had to understand the game and not over-referee it. I had to know the difference between a good hit and an illegal one. He also told me that I needed to get inside the player's heads, so I would know how they think. As such, the game really needed former players who could share this background knowledge.”

Fraser re-married in June of 1988 and that September he, his wife Kathy, and their young children moved to a home in New Jersey that they bought from former Flyers coach, Mike Keenan.

Kathy's three daughters: Marcie, Jessica, and Jaime, were all adopted by Fraser after they were married. In 1990, Kerry and Kathy also had a daughter, Kara, together. They also have five grandchildren: Kiera, Daryn, Madyn, Brady, and Harrison, who are between the ages of one and nine.

Kerry had three sons from his first marriage: Ryan, Matthew, and Ian. During the 2006-2007 season Fraser was on a rehabilitation assignment in the AHL. While there, he was able to work a game with son Ryan, who is a referee in that league.

Due to the travel involved in Fraser's career, he missed some important family occasions. However, his position allowed for unique access to the hockey world. Kathy and the kids were often able to join him for regular season games in various cities and for special events including: playoff games, 12 Stanley Cup finals, the 1996 World Cup, the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, and All-Star games in 1990 and 2000.

Faith has become an important part of Fraser's life. He received the call to it in 1995, converted to Catholicism in 2001, and attempts to attend Mass daily.

A career that spanned three decades naturally included working games with all of the greats, including Wayne Gretzky. The two “legends of the game” formed a lasting bond through an unexpected event.

“During a game in Los Angeles, I placed my hand on the bench while I was talking to their coach, Barry Melrose. Kathy had bought a pinky ring for me as a gift and it had gotten turned around on my finger, so the crucifix on the front side of it was not showing. Wayne was sitting on the bench, saw my ring, and was not impressed. I turned it around, so the crucifix was showing, and told him that it had been a gift from Kathy. He nodded his head, looked at me in way that showed he understood, and said, “That's great Kerry.”

“From there, Wayne and I developed a unique relationship. He has a very special, quiet spirituality about him and was raised by two wonderful parents. I recognized his ability to accept his role as the face of the game and to do good for others.

“He has tremendous recall and is a hockey historian. One time, when Kathy and I were having dinner with him in Phoenix, he told me that he remembered watching me play in the junior leagues when I was a teenager and he was a youngster.”

Al Arbour and Scotty Bowman are two coaches Fraser felt were the best he ever saw. He offered accolades for two current coaches as well.

“I love what Craig Ramsey is doing in Atlanta. He is a quiet, methodical, guy who has a great understanding of how to play the game and is so good with young players.

“Peter Laviolette, in Philadelphia, is another person who has connected with his team.

He is taking the talent that he has and is allowing it to mature. He has a pulse on the game and is a perfect fit for Flyers.”

Like coaching, developing officiating skills takes time and effort.

“Not unlike the great players who demonstrate a superior field of vision on the ice, good referees must learn how to adjust their positions in advance, so they can have the best sight lines of the play as it develops to observe the action without becoming tangled up in it. Over time, you form judgment as well. It was once stated that through Experience a referee acquires Judgment; through Poor Judgment he will acquire Experience! An academic mind is always thinking about getting better. You want to be astute, stay honest, and analyze your own work to become the very best that you can be.”

In the 1990's, the NHL tested a two-referee system. By the 2000's, they fully implemented it into the league.

“There was an adjustment period to the two-referee system. We strove for consistency, similar to a defensive pairing. We had to learn how to work together as a team.”

After the 2004-2005 lockout season, obstruction was addressed by the league, but head shots have remained a controversial topic. It is one that Fraser was involved in during his career, he even made a presentation about it at a Mayo Clinic Hockey Summit that he was invited to attend this past fall.

“The restraining tactics that were coached and utilized following NHL expansion and we, as referees, allowed were horrific. A wise decision was made by the League to allow the skilled players to play, which added more excitement to the game. I have always taken a strong, opposing view of head shots. As officials, our first responsibility is to provide safety.

“After returning from the lockout season, I assessed two game misconducts in separate games, but Colin Campbell (NHL Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations) and Steve Walkom (then NHL Director of Officiating) deemed them to be “good hockey hits” and rescinded the game misconducts. That sent a bad signal to everyone, officials and players alike, that those types of hits to the head were okay. Suspensions and loss of player salaries is the strongest deterrent that can be offered. The Players Association and the League need to decide this matter.”

During two of his final three seasons, including his last, the league did not allow him to work in the playoffs. An interesting decision, as he had often been voted the best referee in a League-wide vote of the players. It is worth noting that Fraser was an active member of the NHL Officials Association during his career and played a key role in their 1994 strike negotiations.

“On the labor side, I was able to exercise a voice for those that may have been improperly disciplined, or terminated.”

Growing financial issues among some teams and player association matters have now formed on the NHL's horizon.

“A potential labor situation is developing. Donald Fehr (recently named NHLPA Executive Director) gets the most for the people he is representing.

“The salary cap is being increased. But, there are troubled markets. Atlanta needs to win to survive. Florida is struggling and the league-owned Phoenix team is going to be sold. Winnipeg and Quebec are two locations that could gain franchises in the future.”

Playoffs:

At the beginning of his final season, Fraser accepted an offer from Fenn Publishing to write a book about his career. Published in the fall of 2010, it became the number one selling hockey book in North America. The forward to it was written by Wayne Gretzky.

He credits his wife with keeping him on a schedule that began a week after his last season ended and for helping him to recall many of the great hockey anecdotes that fill the pages. He generally wrote for 18 hours a day in order to meet a 75,000 word commitment.

“The fans want access to be in the game. The book allowed me to do that for them.”

Beyond the humorous, sometimes controversial, and great behind the scenes stories from Fraser's 30-year NHL career, his book also offers a very human narrative. It draws the reader into a world only previously viewed from their arena seats, or in front of a television set.

“I have received a lot of positive feedback, including a recent message from a 28-year-old USA hockey referee. He told me that he was ready to quit the game, because he had suffered such abuse. But, he credited my book with helping him to take the chip off his shoulder and to refocus on developing relationships with players and coaches.”

Fraser has recently joined TSN, in Canada, as a post-game analyst. He will be featured on “That's Hockey 2Nite”, during segments called “C'mon Ref”, with host Steve Kouleas and fellow panelist Matthew Barnaby.

“I'm comfortable in front of the cameras and love to share insights. I think I can provide a unique perspective and help to educate viewers about the rules of the game, in addition to sharing personal experiences and stories like those that have made The Final Call a best seller. There is a market and a desire for people to learn something different. In the future I might start a blog, or even write another book.”

Overtime:

As a boy, he played hockey on backyard rink in Sarnia. As an adult, he became a professional referee who will likely gain entrance into the NHL Hall of Fame. At the end of our interview Kerry Fraser, the grandfather, said that he was going to go watch his nine-year-old grandson Harrison play hockey. A final comment that combined his love of family with his continuing passion for the game.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011. Photo credit - Kerry Fraser.)

Philadelphia Flyers: Topps Hockey Card Mystery Revealed

The 1970's Philadelphia Flyers were one of the most controversial sports teams of all time. My elementary school friends, cousins, and I followed the players by watching their games through the antennas that were connected to our TV sets, by playing street hockey, and by collecting trading cards. No pack of Topps hockey cards that I ever opened was as memorable as the one that my buddies gave me in 1978. 

Chickenpox

No kid likes when those alien invaders, known as chickenpox, grotesquely pop out to announce their presence all over your body. Of course, you can't go to school when you get them because they are contagious. That was particularly bad because the entire foundation of our social lives was focused on school. Almost all of my friends were there, recess was incredible, and some of the cute girls in my class even found me to be very entertaining. What more could anyone want?

The pack

I missed six straight days of school because of chickenpox. That was highly unusual for me, as I rarely missed a day at 'work' back then. I loved the building that was within walking distance in my neighborhood and all of the people who were in it. That feeling deepened as the years passed.  

My friends Kevin and Ed brought assignments to my house at the end of each of those sick days, which was very cool. One day they also delivered a single pack of hockey cards with my homework. They told me that our other friends: Rick, Keith, Eddie, and Dave pooled some of their allowance money to buy it for me. 

Along with some other cards, there were six Flyers' cards in that pack, including Bernie Parent, Reggie Leach, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Jimmy Watson, and Andre "Moose" Dupont.

The back of the pack's wrapper appeared to have been opened and resealed. So, I knew that my friends had actually bought multiple packs of cards and then created a specially loaded one just for me. Those six cards are nearing four decades old now. Whenever I take them out, I can see the faces of my hockey heroes and, most importantly, feel the friendship of my old school friends once more.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)