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Honoring and recognizing the life and legacy of Philadelphia Flyers goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer Bernie Parent, on the occasion of his passing, for his outstanding contributions to the sport of hockey and the Philadelphia community.
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WHEREAS, Bernard “Bernie” Marcel Parent was born April 3, 1945, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Parent began his National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Boston Bruins in 1965, appearing in 39 games during the 1965-66 season; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Parent was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL expansion draft, where he shared goaltending duties with Doug Favell. Parent recorded a 2.48 goals-against average (GAA) and four shutouts, helping the Flyers finish first in the NHL’s West Division; and
WHEREAS, After a brief departure from Philadelphia in 1971, Parent returned to the Flyers in 1973. Over the next two seasons, he delivered the finest performances of his careers, winning two Vezina Trophies, the Conn Smythe Trophy in back-to-back seasons, and leading the Flyers to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975; and
WHEREAS, A beloved icon in Philadelphia, Parent was affectionately celebrated by fans with the saying, “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent”. ;and
WHEREAS, Parent’s unmatched skill and poise in the net made him a cornerstone of the Flyer’s success. He remains one of only a few goaltenders in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in consecutive years; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Parent’s playing career was cut short by a career-ending eye injury sustained during a game against the New York Rangers, leading to his retirement at the age of 34; and
WHEREAS, Following retirement, Parent remained a beloved figure in the Flyers organization, serving first as a goaltending coach and later as the team’s official Ambassador of Hockey; and
WHEREAS, Parent also dedicated his time to charitable endeavors, most notably through his involvement with the Ed Snider Youth & Hockey Education organization, which leverages hockey to provide life-changing opportunities for under-resourced youth throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his impact on the franchise, Parent’s No.1 jersey was retired by the Flyers on October 11, 1979. In 1984, he became the first Flyers player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Revered by generations of fans, Parent remained a cherished figure in Flyers history for more than three decades after his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Parent remains the Flyers’ all-time leader in shutouts, with 50 over his storied career; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Parent passed away September 21, 2025, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history and one of the most admired sports figures in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, This legislative body extends its deep appreciation for the indelible mark Bernie Parent left on hockey and the Philadelphia community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and recognizes the life and legacy of Philadelphia Flyers goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer Bernie Parent, on the occasion of his passing, for his outstanding contributions to the sport of hockey and the Philadelphia community.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Bernie Parent as a token of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.
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