Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits:

I was at that Buffalo game you reference in your story about Joe Watson. I remember two periods of horrible hockey and at the second intermission a bunch of people leaving. I turned to my coworker who was with me that night and told him. This is when someone needs to go into that locker room and peel the (frank)ing paint off the walls. Then they just need to score before the midway point of the period. Get another by five minutes left and pull the goalie at about 2 minutes left and tie it up to make overtime.

Well they came back after intermission looked like a different team meanwhile Buffalo self destructed taking a bunch of penalties. Allowing the flyers to have the game tied before they had to pull the goalie and then won it in a shootout. That was probably one of the best third periods they played all year.

Great write up as usual Bill! You're appreciated!

I've watched the Flyers 40th anniversary DVD about 5 times, and of all the people interviewed Joe Watson is my favorite to watch. There's such a sincere enjoyment to the way he tells Flyers stories

Since we are on the topic of alumni, I was reading an article on The Hockey Writers website remembering Pelle Lindbergh and it got me to thinking why his number hasn't been retired. It's not like anyone will ever wear it again, so why not make it official?

Among the most beloved Flyers, he ranks right up there. Does it have something to do with how he died???

Since we are on the topic of alumni, I was reading an article on The Hockey Writers website remembering Pelle Lindbergh and it got me to thinking why his number hasn't been retired. It's not like anyone will ever wear it again, so why not make it official?

Among the most beloved Flyers, he ranks right up there. Does it have something to do with how he died???
- WhirlingDervish

Totally the reason I'd bet. All the anti-drunk driving groups would have a field day protesting that day.

Since we are on the topic of alumni, I was reading an article on The Hockey Writers website remembering Pelle Lindbergh and it got me to thinking why his number hasn't been retired. It's not like anyone will ever wear it again, so why not make it official?

Among the most beloved Flyers, he ranks right up there. Does it have something to do with how he died???
- WhirlingDervish

Not with how he died, but how short his time with the team actually was. An exception was made for Barry Ashbee. The number is unofficially retired and there's the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy in his honor each season to commemorate Pelle blossoming in 1984-85 after his rough 2nd year in the NHL.

As much as Lindbergh and his memory mean to me, I think what's already been done is sufficient.

Totally the reason I'd bet. All the anti-drunk driving groups would have a field day protesting that day.
- dragonoffrost

Nope. Not the reason, then or now.

I've watched the Flyers 40th anniversary DVD about 5 times, and of all the people interviewed Joe Watson is my favorite to watch. There's such a sincere enjoyment to the way he tells Flyers stories
- Coburns_Nose

Joe lives and breathes Flyers (and Flyers Alumni) 24/7. You should have seen him in St. Petersburg after the Flyers Alumni vs SKA Alumni game, nearly in tears, talking about how much it would have meant to Ed Snider to see the Flyers playing in a sold out arena halfway around the world and Russian fans come out in Flyers jerseys.

On one of the games during the tour, it went to a shootout. There was a former NHL player who was one of our guest players and he was not trying very hard during the game.... I won't say who... but he then wanted to take a turn in the shootout. He had been a good scorer in his playing days. Joe bluntly told him to sit the hell down and picked other guys instead for the shootout that he felt had earned it.

Joe later said that if the team hadn't been wearing Flyers crests and it had just been a "celebrity team" with generic uniforms, he'd probably have let it slide. As a Flyers Alumni team game, though, he wanted commitment.

Again, that's Joe being Joe. The Flyers mean everything to him.

I am so glad to see that people have had positive experiences with Bob Kelly....even in his official Ambassador role....I didn't, it was so bad that it played a part in turning my wife off from even casually following the team.

I had a great experience as a child meeting Bob Kelly. He was funny, he was encouraging, he was everything you want. When he was on the concourse at the Center greeting fans (supposedly) and there was NO ONE around other than the Delta Ice Girls, I was all excited. He was the man who scored the goal that won the 2nd cup. I was going to introduce my wife to him...and when we walked up and I started to say hello....he turned his back on us and started chatting with the Delta Ice girl...who was really uncomfortable because she saw us standing there...after a few minutes of this he just walked away...the Ice girl was great and sweet and apologized .... but the "Ambassador" lost a fan that night.

I am so glad to see that people have had positive experiences with Bob Kelly....even in his official Ambassador role....I didn't, it was so bad that it played a part in turning my wife off from even casually following the team.

I had a great experience as a child meeting Bob Kelly. He was funny, he was encouraging, he was everything you want. When he was on the concourse at the Center greeting fans (supposedly) and there was NO ONE around other than the Delta Ice Girls, I was all excited. He was the man who scored the goal that won the 2nd cup. I was going to introduce my wife to him...and when we walked up and I started to say hello....he turned his back on us and started chatting with the Delta Ice girl...who was really uncomfortable because she saw us standing there...after a few minutes of this he just walked away...the Ice girl was great and sweet and apologized .... but the "Ambassador" lost a fan that night.
- wbon22

I deal with Bob regularly and that is not his norm.

I deal with Bob regularly and that is not his norm.
- bmeltzer

Everyone has off days, and I'm hopeful Bob had a reason for what he did. I had a bad experience with Knuble, but the other times I've met him, I found him to be one of the more down-to-Earth and approachable players of the 00's.

1st page obligation.

Everyone has off days, and I'm hopeful Bob had a reason for what he did. I had a bad experience with Knuble, but the other times I've met him, I found him to be one of the more down-to-Earth and approachable players of the 00's.
- jmatchett383

I had a really bad interaction with Rick MacLeish once. Something I was actually paying to do so that made it worse.

From everything I hear he's typically a great guy. Everybody has their days of being a complete ass. When you have limited interactions that one day can go a long way to determining a life time opinion.

It's a real shame these things happen. If MacLeish is at any event I attend I steer clear of him. I just have no time.

I had a really bad interaction with Rick MacLeish once. Something I was actually paying to do so that made it worse.

From everything I hear he's typically a great guy. Everybody has their days of being a complete ass. When you have limited interactions that one day can go a long way to determining a life time opinion.

It's a real shame these things happen. If MacLeish is at any event I attend I steer clear of him. I just have no time.
- mayorofangrytown

Rick passed away last year. I agree with your main point.

Bill - thank you so much for working up and posting articles like this... the stories of our old heroes are priceless.

As a fan I obviously hope the Flyers win the Cup again sooner, rather than later, or not at all... but I would especially be happy if they could win again soon enough so that the older alumni, like Bernie Parent and Joe Watson, could bask again in that glorious feeling of victory and see Broad St. overflowing with people along the parade route... same thing for Lou Nolan.

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Rick passed away last year. I agree with your main point.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, that's right, I forgot that we lost him last year.

I'm glad that's the only bad interaction I've ever had. When I consider the hundreds of times I've been around or interacted with former Flyers players I think that's a pretty great out come.

I had a really bad interaction with Rick MacLeish once. Something I was actually paying to do so that made it worse.

From everything I hear he's typically a great guy. Everybody has their days of being a complete ass. When you have limited interactions that one day can go a long way to determining a life time opinion.

It's a real shame these things happen. If MacLeish is at any event I attend I steer clear of him. I just have no time.
- mayorofangrytown

When I ran a sports memorabilia store back in the 90's MacLeish's daughter worked for me. He was always a great guy. I once sent home a bunch of my own stuff with her for him to sign including my copy of Full Spectrum. It all came back the next day signed. He would call the store asking me how she was doing and would chat away like he knew me for years.

And the best part is that he told her to send it all to him....because she had mentioned I was a big fan.

All those old Flyers guys are/were something else with the fans.

When I ran a sports memorabilia store back in the 90's MacLeish's daughter worked for me. He was always a great guy. I once sent home a bunch of my own stuff with her for him to sign including my copy of Full Spectrum. It all came back the next day signed. He would call the store asking me how she was doing and would chat away like he knew me for years.

And the best part is that he told her to send it all to him....because she had mentioned I was a big fan.

All those old Flyers guys are/were something else with the fans.
- MBFlyerfan

Which store?

Which store?
- jmatchett383

Philly Sportsfan in the Hamilton Mall

I almost met Andrew MacDonald when he was here in Allentown. Saw him from across the street and started coming at him to greet him. He just kept backing up for whatever reason and I lost him after having to wait at a crosswalk. So yeah, I really can't tell you how cool he is.

The only fan letter I've ever written was to Danny Briere. I'm a hockey fan because I so enjoyed watching him play. No personal interactions - I've never met him but I can't forget him either.

When I ran a sports memorabilia store back in the 90's MacLeish's daughter worked for me. He was always a great guy. I once sent home a bunch of my own stuff with her for him to sign including my copy of Full Spectrum. It all came back the next day signed. He would call the store asking me how she was doing and would chat away like he knew me for years.

And the best part is that he told her to send it all to him....because she had mentioned I was a big fan.

All those old Flyers guys are/were something else with the fans.
- MBFlyerfan

I didn't hold it against him I just could never get it out of my head. I was a LOT younger then and even though it wasn't directed at me personally (directed at the event planner about the people waiting) it was really harsh.

It made the day I was really looking forward too feel like I had wasted my time, money and effort. It was an autograph event but to be honest, I went to those more for the chance to meet the players then I did for any signed puck or stick.

I still feel bad that it's the feeling I was left with.

I almost met Andrew MacDonald when he was here in Allentown. Saw him from across the street and started coming at him to greet him. He just kept backing up for whatever reason and I lost him after having to wait at a crosswalk. So yeah, I really can't tell you how cool he is.
- YuenglingJagr

This is just wrong, sir.