Philadelphia may never see another time like the 1970s–in ice hockey, that is. It had the iconic, “Broad Street Bullies.”
The Flyers began in 1967 as an expansion team with businessman Ed Snider as its owner. In the first few years, the team was a playoff contender but never a championship contender. Snider wanted to change that.
Courtesy: Alchetron
That change evolved in stages. The team drafted Dave Schultz. Schultz was a fighter … literally. He went after anyone and everyone, and become known as an ‘enforcer.’ Snider also drafted other players who would define what the Flyers were to become, including Bobby Clark. For his head coach, Snider picked former Rangers’ defenseman, Fred Shero. Shiro was a player’s coach.
By the time 1974 rolled around, the Flyers were a different (and better) team. Fans took notice. Dave Schultz started fights, and his ice demeanor got press attention. In one incident, the fighting got to the point that police had to be called in. The media labeled the team, The Broad Street Bullies.
In the 1974 Stanley Cup finals, it was the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the Boston Bruins. Philly won a hard-fought series and brought Philly an NHL championship. The city went wild, and the team parade attracted fans who lined up for blocks–two million strong.
The next year, the Flyers were 51-18-11 and headed into the playoffs. There, they vanquished the Maple Leafs, Islanders, and Sabres in the championship rounds. Along the way, the Flyers played with fog covering the ice and with a bat flying overhead. The Flyers celebrated once again. Philly was the king of hockey.
To get a bird’s eye glimpse of what it was like back then, watch HBO’s The Broad Street Bullies (courtesy of YouTube).
