Flyers-Penguins: Alumni Game Preview

1-9-2017_FlyersAlumniPractice_2_credKateFrese-11

(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

In honor of the 50th anniversary season for both franchises, the Flyers and Penguins alumni will take the ice at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

The Flyers have had alumni games in the past, notably the 2012 Winter Classic and last year’s game in Reading, but this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime game.

Players from all five decades of Flyers history will don the Orange and Black for the Flyers.

Tickets for the game were in high demand and sold out quickly. The demand was so high that the game will now be televised locally on The Comcast Network for those who can’t be in attendance.

For those attending and those watching on television, here are five reasons to watch.

One Final Game for Bobby Clarke and Bill Barber

They skated together earlier this week, and acknowledged then that this will be their final time playing in an alumni game. While Bobby Clarke and Bill Barber are Hall-of-Fame Flyers who have a place in the franchise’s history forever, quite possibly as guests at any future alumni events, this will be their last time playing.

For fans of all ages, this makes the game a monumental moment. Aside from Bernie Parent, who had his swan song in the 2012 Alumni Game, these are the two greatest players the franchise has ever known. And they will take the ice one more time together.

Not only will Clarke and Barber be together in their final game, they will play on a line with Reggie Leach, reuniting the LCB line.

The Legion of Doom

Fans were delighted in 2012 when Eric Lindros fed John LeClair for the game’s first goal, a rather common occurrence of the 90s. In 2014, when the Flyers inducted Lindros and LeClair into the team’s Hall of Fame, Mikael Renberg returned as a special guest for the ceremony.

It isn’t easy for Renberg to make alumni events, as he resides and works in Sweden, but the third piece of the Legion of Doom will be alongside the Lindros-LeClair duo.

In addition, Lindros is a new member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, bringing the total of Hall-of-Famers attending to five.

The Trio of Brian Propp, Tim Kerr and Dave Poulin

Dave Poulin and Brian Propp have always been a part of almost every alumni function the Flyers have. But a game like this was threatened some 16 months ago when Propp suffered a severe stroke and faced a long recovery.

Propp is back to skating and ready to play. Former Flyers captain Poulin will also be there.

And then there is Tim Kerr. Kerr has rarely made events like this, and in fact didn’t play in the 2012 Alumni Game which featured many of the players participating on Saturday. So Kerr’s presence instantly makes this a special event.

The Original Flyers

Another memorable part of the night will be the presence of 10 original members of the 1967-68 Flyers. Among them will be both goalies, Bernie Parent and Doug Favell, the first captain of the Flyers, Lou Angotti, and Joe Watson, the only original Flyer who is playing in the game.

For many Flyers fans, their journey with the Flyers starts with the Broad Street Bullies of the 70s, but the sight of these original Flyers is sure to bring back memories for those who have held season tickets from the first season and remember watching from the very beginning.

Flyers Alums, Young and Old

For newer or younger Flyers fans, there will be plenty of names they will recognize as well. Simon Gagne, Danny Briere and Brian Boucher represent a group of recent Flyers alumni.

Throw in the fact that anything the Flyers have done that involves a ceremony, their alumni and the history of the franchise is done so well, it's sure to be a night of memories, excitement and enjoyment.

Here are the playing rosters for both the Flyers and Penguins.

Flyers

Forwards: Bill Barber, Bob Kelly, John LeClair, Tim Kerr, Simon Gagne, Bobby Clarke, Mikael Renberg, Dave Poulin, Dave Brown, Orest Kindrachuk, Brian Propp, Reggie Leach, Todd Fedoruk, Murray Craven, Danny Briere, Eric Lindros

Defensemen: Mark Howe, Brad Marsh, Joe Watson, Jim Watson, Luke Richardson, Kjell Samuelsson, Terry Carkner, Eric Desjardins

Goalies: Brian Boucher, Neil Little

Penguins

Forwards: Colby Armstrong, Phil Bourque, Mike Bullard, John Chabot, David Hannan, Mark Kachowski, Tyler Kennedy, Mitch Lamoureux, Jamie Leach, Troy Loney, Greg Malone, Ryan Malone, Ted Nolan, Bryan Trottier

Defensemen: Doug Bodger, Jeff Chychrun, Kimbel Clackson, Grant Jennings, Francois Leroux, Dennis Owchar, Gordie Roberts

Goalies: Jean-Sebastian Aubin, Jocelyn Thibault

The game will begin with a ceremony starting promptly at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by that time. All fans will also receive a commemorative poster upon entering Wells Fargo Center.

For those watching on TCN, coverage will start at 6:30 p.m.

Go to top button