On Tuesday, Mark Howe's jersey will be retired prior to the game against Detroit.

Here is the transcript from his availability last night during the Flyers 6-3 win over the Islanders, courtesy of the Flyers:


Mark Howe – First Intermission availability

Q: What does it mean for the day to finally come when your name will finally go up there?

"I don't know if it is a long time coming. It is not something you think about. It is just a continuation of a personal year for me that has been incredible. To be singled out from the players that played in the 1980's and to be put up in the rafters with [Bernie Parent] , [Bobby Clarke], and [Bill Barber]... I look up to those guys and I have a lot of respect for them. They set the standard for what it means to be a Flyer. For me to have my jersey number up there with them speaks volumes for me. It is a great honor."

Q: Mark, extra special to have your dad here, is he going to be here Tuesday, too?

Oh yeah. Anything I do in my lifetime is not going to compare to what my children do, so everything they do means so much more. It makes me so proud to be a part of their lives. So if I just put that into perspective I know what it meant at the Hall of Fame for my dad. This is on the same level as that. This is the town, this is the city where I put the pieces together for me to get in the Hall of Fame. I have my dad here and my brother and my children. That's what it's all about. If I don't have them there with me to share it with, it doesn't mean near as much.

Q: When did you find out?

"It was right after the Hall of Fame. Ed Snider gave me a call and I kind of laughed. It was the second or third one that I had ever gotten. He started off the converstation with what I was doing on March 6th. I said I hadn't planned my schedule out that far in advanced. He said the Red Wings were going to be playing in Philadelphia and I said that I would probably be at the game then. He said do you miind if I retire your jersey? So, I was pretty excited about it. The couple talks I had with Mr. Snider were much along the same lines. He delivered it nice. It was the highest honor you could receive in the Philadelphia Flyers organization."

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