As someone who grew up in Philadelphia during the 1970s, I was privileged to see the late, great Fred Shero's team at work en route to two Stanley Cups and three straight runs to the Finals. He was one of the smartest and most innovative coaches who ever lived. I was thrilled when was finally elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame and when Ray Shero -- one of the game's really good people -- got to induct his dad.

Earlier today, before the Flyers-Penguins game at the Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers unveiled a statue of Shero outside where the Spectrum used to stand. Once again, Ray was on hand, along with a host of Shero's former Flyers players. As such moments, the Penguins vs. Flyers rivalries meant nothing.

Scotty Bowman is widely considered the best NHL coach in history, and that's pretty hard to argue. But Shero will always be my sentimental favorite. Who is yours?

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