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Honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Flyers on their 50th Anniversary and acknowledging the 2016-2017 hockey season as the 50th Anniversary season of Philadelphia Flyers hockey.
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WHEREAS, February 9, 2016 marked the 50 year Anniversary of the NHL announcement that Philadelphia would be among six expansion teams for the 1967-68 season; and
WHEREAS, The early group called The Philadelphia Hockey Club, Inc., included Ed Snider, then treasurer of the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Keith Allen and general manager Norman “Bud” Poile, and was given little over a year to present a $2 million expansion fee to guarantee its entry; and
WHEREAS, On February 8, 1966, in order to close the deal in obtaining the franchise, Ed Snider traveled to New York to present their plan to the convened NHL owners, which promised the building of a modern, 15,000-seat arena in Philadelphia, later named the Spectrum by Lou Scheinfeld, the Flyers’ first vice president of business operations; and
WHEREAS, The following day, Philadelphia was officially awarded a conditional NHL franchise, the condition was to deliver on the promise of a state-of-the-art arena and pay the franchise fee; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Flyers not only made good on their promise, but were also the first expansion team in the post-Original Six era to win the Stanley Cup, victorious in 1973-74 and again in 1974-75; and
WHEREAS, Since their first season in 1967-68, the Flyers’ have an all-time points percentage of 57.7 percent, as of the 2015-16 NHL season, the second-best in the NHL, behind only the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins at 60.1 percent; and
WHEREAS, The Flyers also have the most appearances in the conference finals of all 24 expansion teams with 16 appearances and 8 wins, and they are second behind the St. Louis Blues for the most playoff appearances out of all expansion teams with 38 out of 48 seasons; and
WHEREAS, Although the Flyers have not won a Stanley Cup since the 1974-75 season, there have been plenty of other highlights, including the 1976 win over the Soviet Red Army and the NHL record for the longest undefeated streak with 35 games during their 1979-80 season; and
WHEREAS, The Flyers currently have eighteen personnel in the Hockey Hall of Fame, including famed players Bernie Parent, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Mark Howe and Eric Lindros; and
WHEREAS, When asked to comment about the Flyers 50th Anniversary, the late Ed Snider said, “It is hard to believe we are going to be celebrating our 50th anniversary, it feels like it was just yesterday when the National Hockey League Awarded us an expansion franchise. In our first season, The Hockey News thought we would be the team least likely to succeed, but were they ever wrong! Now here we are with memories of two Stanley Cups, the Russian Game in 1976, the 35-game unbeaten streak, the five-overtime win against Pittsburgh in the 2000 playoffs, coming back against Boston in 2010 down three games, two Winter Classics, and so many more. My favorite part has been sharing these moments with all of the players who define Flyers Hockey, with the hundreds of employees who work tirelessly to create a great fan experience, and with the millions of dedicated, loyal, and passionate Flyers fans who have made our first 50 years so incredible. Together we truly have something special”; and
WHEREAS, Over the last 50 years the Philadelphia Flyers have been a team the City of Philadelphia and all its residents can be proud of and we wish them the best during their 2016-2017 50th Anniversary season; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Hereby honors and recognizes the Philadelphia Flyers on their 50th Anniversary and acknowledges the 2016-2017 hockey season as the 50th Anniversary season of Philadelphia Flyers hockey.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Flyers as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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