Thousands of fans gathered at the Xfinity Mobile Arena to share stories and memories of Bernie Parent, the beloved goaltender who left an indelible mark on the city of Philadelphia. As the Flyers' ace goalie, Parent won two Stanley Cups, but it was his impact on the team's identity, his infectious personality, and his dedication to the community that resonated with fans across generations.
For Kathy Aversa, a lifelong fan who witnessed the Broad Street Bullies' dominance in the 1970s, Parent represented "the essence of Philadelphia" – a symbol of the city's passion, grit, and determination. Chris Foley, another die-hard fan, saw firsthand how Parent's legend lived on through his stories and anecdotes shared by teammates and fans.
Geoff Rabinowitz, who grew up watching Parent play alongside his family, was introduced to him as an adult and felt a deep connection with the player. "The first time I met Bernie, it felt like we were friends for life," he said. This sentiment was echoed by Dan Hilferty, team governor, who described Parent as "the quintessential Philadelphia Flyer" – a true icon whose legacy continues to inspire the franchise.
On Friday night, the Flyers and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey and Education Foundation hosted a celebration of life for the late Hall of Famer. The event brought together over 1,000 fans from all walks of life, including current players, coaches, and staff members. Speeches were delivered by Hilferty, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, Parent's wife Gini, Philadelphia Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Snider Hockey president Scott Tharp, and his teammates Bill Clement, Bill Barber, Joe Watson, and Bobby Clarke.
The ceremony was punctuated by video tributes from Parent's daughter Kim, current coach Rick Tocchet, and team general manager Danny Brière. For the first time in years, anthemist Lauren Hart sang "God Bless America" inside the arena, as Parent's No. 1 and the Stanley Cup banners hung behind her.
Parent's impact extended far beyond his on-ice accomplishments. As Clement recalled, "I'm out to take a faceoff to Bernie's left...He said, 'How's she going?'... I say, 'It's going pretty good, Benny.' He just smiled." This anecdote illustrates Parent's ability to make everyone around him laugh and feel at ease.
The phrase "Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent" became synonymous with the Flyers during their dominant run in the 1970s. Clarke echoed this sentiment when he said, "We got two Stanley Cups because of Bernie...The rest of us, until we go join them, we will walk together forever." This legacy continues to inspire the franchise and its fans.
As the stories poured in, it became clear that Parent was more than just a great goaltender – he was a kindred spirit who inspired countless people through his generosity, humility, and infectious personality. Gini described him as "a person who made me a better person" – a testament to his enduring impact on those around him.
For millions of fans, Bernie Parent will forever be linked to the Philadelphia Flyers, those Broad Street Bullies who rewrote the NHL's history books. He was more than just a goaltender; he was a symbol of the city's spirit and determination. As the thousands of stories continued to flow in, it became clear that Parent's legacy would live on, inspiring future generations of Flyers fans to follow their dreams and chase greatness.
For Kathy Aversa, a lifelong fan who witnessed the Broad Street Bullies' dominance in the 1970s, Parent represented "the essence of Philadelphia" – a symbol of the city's passion, grit, and determination. Chris Foley, another die-hard fan, saw firsthand how Parent's legend lived on through his stories and anecdotes shared by teammates and fans.
Geoff Rabinowitz, who grew up watching Parent play alongside his family, was introduced to him as an adult and felt a deep connection with the player. "The first time I met Bernie, it felt like we were friends for life," he said. This sentiment was echoed by Dan Hilferty, team governor, who described Parent as "the quintessential Philadelphia Flyer" – a true icon whose legacy continues to inspire the franchise.
On Friday night, the Flyers and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey and Education Foundation hosted a celebration of life for the late Hall of Famer. The event brought together over 1,000 fans from all walks of life, including current players, coaches, and staff members. Speeches were delivered by Hilferty, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, Parent's wife Gini, Philadelphia Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Snider Hockey president Scott Tharp, and his teammates Bill Clement, Bill Barber, Joe Watson, and Bobby Clarke.
The ceremony was punctuated by video tributes from Parent's daughter Kim, current coach Rick Tocchet, and team general manager Danny Brière. For the first time in years, anthemist Lauren Hart sang "God Bless America" inside the arena, as Parent's No. 1 and the Stanley Cup banners hung behind her.
Parent's impact extended far beyond his on-ice accomplishments. As Clement recalled, "I'm out to take a faceoff to Bernie's left...He said, 'How's she going?'... I say, 'It's going pretty good, Benny.' He just smiled." This anecdote illustrates Parent's ability to make everyone around him laugh and feel at ease.
The phrase "Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent" became synonymous with the Flyers during their dominant run in the 1970s. Clarke echoed this sentiment when he said, "We got two Stanley Cups because of Bernie...The rest of us, until we go join them, we will walk together forever." This legacy continues to inspire the franchise and its fans.
As the stories poured in, it became clear that Parent was more than just a great goaltender – he was a kindred spirit who inspired countless people through his generosity, humility, and infectious personality. Gini described him as "a person who made me a better person" – a testament to his enduring impact on those around him.
For millions of fans, Bernie Parent will forever be linked to the Philadelphia Flyers, those Broad Street Bullies who rewrote the NHL's history books. He was more than just a goaltender; he was a symbol of the city's spirit and determination. As the thousands of stories continued to flow in, it became clear that Parent's legacy would live on, inspiring future generations of Flyers fans to follow their dreams and chase greatness.
his dedication to the team & community was real talk, not just some scripted speech 
I remember my dad talkin about how he'd take faceoffs to the left & Bernie would always say "how's she goin'" 
it's those little stories that made you love the guy even more. and let me tell you, the way they celebrated his life at the Xfinity Mobile Arena was pure class 
I'm gettin' all teary-eyed thinkin about it 
. dude was more than just a great goalie, he was a true Philly legend 
. it's amazing how his legacy lives on through stories like these... and now I wanna go grab a soft pretzel at the arena to feel even closer to the city's spirit 
. gotta give it up for the guy who made Broad Street Bullies shine 
, what an iconic figure he was!
i mean, 1k fans coming together to share memories and stories about the guy is just amazing 
and it's so clear why he's still a legend even years after his passing 
it's gonna be tough to top this kind of love for one person 
Bernie Parent was more than just a goalie he was a legend, a true icon of the city 
. Everyone who grew up watching him play (like me) still has those feels 
. If you weren't there, try watching some vids of him in action - you'll see what I mean 
on the ice but even more so off it - his kindness & generosity are what made him a true legend 
️ I'm so down for a good cry 
when I think about Bernie Parent 
It's not just about the hockey – it's about the person he was as an individual 
. We can all learn from his humility and kindness 
. Can't help but think our own kiddos would've looked up to him just as much as the kids in Philly did 
. And can we talk about how proud Kim Parent must be seeing her dad's legacy living on like this? 
And that phrase "Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent" is still giving me chills every time I hear it 
and we'll never forget him 
His infectious personality and dedication to the community made everyone around him feel at ease, including his teammates, fans, and even strangers like Geoff Rabinowitz who felt an instant connection with him 
What can we learn from Bernie's approach? Maybe it's that true greatness isn't just about achievements, but about how we make others feel along the way 
We can all try to be a little more like Bernie – spread some joy, listen actively, and show genuine interest in those around us. That's what will truly leave our mark on the world 
i love how his daughter shared some amazing video tributes and his teammates and coaches had so many heartwarming stories to share 