Philadelphia Flyers
Broad Street Bullies: Philadelphia's first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup.
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. They are the second NHL team to represent Philadelphia, with the first team, the Philadelphia Quakers, only playing one season in 1930–31. The team plays its home games at Xfinity Mobile Arena in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, an indoor arena they share with the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Part of the 1967 NHL expansion, the Flyers are the first of the expansion teams in the post-Original Six era to win the Stanley Cup, victorious in 1973–74 and again in 1974–75. Since their two Stanley Cup victories, they have been in the Final five other times, most recently in 2010.
Quick Facts
- Rivalry name
- Battle of I-95
- Era origin
- 1974 (First regular season meeting)
- Flying fans nickname
- Broad Street Bullies vs. The Capitals
- Playoff meetings
- Four series (1986, 2000, 2012, 2013)
- Status
- Active and historic
Lore & Background
The Flyers play their home games on Broad Street, first at the Spectrum from 1967 until 1996, and then at Xfinity Mobile Arena since 1996. Their association with Broad Street, along with the players consistently brawling with other teams, earned them the nickname 'Broad Street Bullies' during the 1970s.
Reader's Guide
The Flyers' history includes the Philadelphia Quakers' one season in 1930–31, the failed 1946 bid by Len Peto, and Ed Snider's founding of the team after the 1967 expansion. The team name 'Flyers' was suggested by Snider's sister Phyllis. Key early players included Bernie Parent, Bobby Clarke, and Dave Schultz. The Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 1973–74 and 1974–75, with Parent winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1974 and Clarke winning the Hart Memorial Trophy.
Did You Know?
- The Flyers' nickname 'Broad Street Bullies' was coined by Jack Chevalier and Pete Cafone of the Philadelphia Bulletin on January 3, 1973.
- The Flyers introduced the tradition of playing Kate Smith's 'God Bless America' on December 11, 1969.
- Bobby Clarke was the first expansion team player to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP.
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