1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers season

The 1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' sixth season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers earned the nickname "Broad Street Bullies" en route to their first winning season and first playoff series victory, beating the Minnesota North Stars, before losing in the semifinals to the Montreal Canadiens.

1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers
Division2nd West
1972–73 record37–30–11
Home record27–8–4
Road record10–22–7
Goals for296 (4th)
Goals against256 (11th)
Team information
PresidentJoe Scott
General managerKeith Allen
CoachFred Shero
CaptainEd Van Impe (Oct-Jan)[lower-alpha 1]
Bobby Clarke (Jan-Apr)[lower-alpha 1]
Alternate captainsBill Clement
Joe Watson
ArenaSpectrum
Average attendance16,063[3]
Minor league affiliate(s)Richmond Robins
San Diego Gulls
Jersey Devils
Team leaders
GoalsRick MacLeish (50)
AssistsBobby Clarke (67)
PointsBobby Clarke (104)
Penalty minutesDave Schultz (259)
Plus/minusBobby Clarke (+32)
WinsDoug Favell (20)
Goals against averageDoug Favell (2.83)

Regular season

It was during the 1972–73 season that the Flyers shed the mediocre expansion team label by recording their first winning season and becoming known as the intimidating "Broad Street Bullies", a nickname coined by Jack Chevalier and Pete Cafone of the Philadelphia Bulletin on January 3, 1973[4] after a 3–1 brawling victory over the Atlanta Flames that led Chevalier to write in his game account, "The image of the fightin' Flyers spreading gradually around the NHL, and people are dreaming up wild nicknames. They're the Mean Machine, the Bullies of Broad Street and Freddy's Philistines." Cafone wrote the accompanying headline, "Broad Street Bullies Muscle Atlanta".[5]

Rick MacLeish was the first Flyer to score 50 goals in a season.

That same month Bobby Clarke was the youngest player (at that time) in NHL history to be named team captain, replacing Ed Van Impe who had stepped aside in favor of Clarke.[1][2] Rick MacLeish became the first Flyer to score 50 goals in a season.

After the season, Clarke was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player.

Season standings
West Division[6]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1Chicago Black Hawks7842279284225+5993
2Philadelphia Flyers78373011296256+4085
3Minnesota North Stars78373011254230+2485
4St. Louis Blues78323412233251−1876
5Pittsburgh Penguins7832379257265−873
6Los Angeles Kings78313611232245−1373
7Atlanta Flames78253815191239−4865
8California Golden Seals78164616213323−11048

Playoffs

An overtime goal by Gary Dornhoefer in Game 5 turned the tide of their first round series with the Minnesota North Stars in the Flyers' favor, as the Flyers got their first playoff series win in six games. The goal was later immortalized as a bronze statue on the south side of the Spectrum. They were outmatched in the semifinals by the Montreal Canadiens, however, losing in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season
1972–73 regular season
October: 4–4–2, 10 Points (Home: 3–1–0; Road: 1–3–2)
November: 6–7–1, 13 Points (Home: 6–1–1; Road: 0–6–0)
December: 6–6–3, 15 Points (Home: 5–2–0; Road: 1–4–3)
January: 7–4–1, 15 Points (Home: 3–2–1; Road: 4–2–0)
February: 7–4–2, 16 Points (Home: 3–1–1; Road: 4–3–1)
March: 7–4–2, 16 Points (Home: 7–1–1; Road: 0–3–2)
April: 0–1–0, 0 Points (Home: 0–0–0; Road: 0–1–0)

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs
1973 Stanley Cup playoffs
Quarterfinals vs. Minnesota North Stars – Flyers win 4–2
Semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens – Canadiens win 4–1

Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring
  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Age Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
16Bobby Clarke23C783767104328011268−16
19Rick MacLeish23C785050100156910347−22
12, 24Gary Dornhoefer29RW773049791716811336016
21Bill Flett29RW69433174315311347−20
7Bill Barber20LW69303464104611325−222
18Ross Lonsberry25LW7721295065911437−19
23Tom Bladon20D7811314292611044−32
17, 22Simon Nolet31RW70162036−361131414
10Bill Clement22C73141428−1151200000
14Joe Watson29D6322426304611022212
28Andre Dupont23D4632023816411123−429
11Don Saleski23RW7812921−202051112314
9Bob Kelly22LW7710112112381101108
8Dave Schultz23LW7691221425911101−251
4Barry Ashbee33D6411718−210611044320
5Brent Hughes29D2921113−832——————
25Jean Potvin23D353912−110——————
2Ed Van Impe32D7211112227611000−316
6Wayne Hillman34D74010101633800010
29Terry Crisp29C121564211325−12
20Pierre Plante21RW203330——————
1Doug Favell27G44022N/A411000N/A2
30, 35Michel Belhumeur23G23011N/A21000N/A0
30Bobby Taylor28G23011N/A0——————
15, 20Larry Wright21C9011−34——————
3Willie Brossart23D4011−50——————
20Jimmy Watson20D4011−15200000
26Orest Kindrachuk22C200000——————

Goaltending
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Age GP GS W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP GS W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
1Doug Favell2744392015413651142.83.91632,413:02111156359292.61.9191665:47
30Bobby Taylor282320884697784.10.88801,141:22——————————
30, 35Michel Belhumeur232319973617603.22.90301,115:171000915.94.889010:06

Awards and records

Awards
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League (annual) Hart Memorial Trophy Bobby Clarke [7]
NHL Second All-Star Team Bobby Clarke (Center) [8]
League (in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Bobby Clarke [9]
Gary Dornhoefer

Records
  •    Tied for NHL record

Individual
Franchise player records set during the 1972–73 season
Record Type Total Player Date(s) Opponent Ref
Goals scored Period 3[lower-alpha 2] Rick MacLeish 2/13/1973 New York Islanders [10]
Goals scored Game 4[lower-alpha 3] Rick MacLeish 2/13/1973 New York Islanders [11]
Fastest 4 goals scored by one player Game 19:47 Rick MacLeish 2/13/1973 New York Islanders [10]
Goals scored Game 4[lower-alpha 3] Rick MacLeish 3/4/1973 Toronto Maple Leafs [11]
Assists, playoffs Period 3[lower-alpha 4] Barry Ashbee 4/5/1973 Minnesota North Stars [12]

Team
Franchise team records set during the 1972–73 season
Record Type Total Date(s) Opponent Refs
Goals scored Period 8 3/31/1973 New York Islanders [13]

Milestones
Franchise firsts[14]
Milestone Player Details Date Ref
4-goal game Rick MacLeish 1: Powerplay goal at 6:30 of the second period against Billy Smith February 13, 1973 [15]
2: Powerplay goal at 6:57 of the second period against Smith
3: Even-strength goal at 13:25 of the second period against Smith
4: Even-strength goal at 6:17 of the third period against Smith
40-goal season Rick MacLeish Even-strength goal at 8:37 of the second period March 4, 1973 [16]
100-point season Bobby Clarke Power play goal at 14:43 of the third period against Phil Myre March 29, 1973 [17]
50-goal season Rick MacLeish Even-strength goal at 2:02 of the second period against Cam Newton April 1, 1973 [16]
Shutout, playoffs Doug Favell Stopped all 31 shots against the Minnesota North Stars April 8, 1973 [18]

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 12, 1972, the day after the deciding game of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 10, 1973, the day of the deciding game of the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals.[19]

Trades
Date Details Refs
June 8, 1972 To Philadelphia Flyers
cash		 To Minnesota North Stars
10th-round pick in 1972
August 10, 1972 To Philadelphia Flyers
John McKenzie		 To Boston Bruins
cash		 [20]
December 14, 1972 To Philadelphia Flyers
Andre Dupont
3rd-round pick in 1973		 To St. Louis Blues
Brent Hughes
Pierre Plante		 [21]
March 5, 1973 To Philadelphia Flyers
Terry Crisp		 To New York Islanders
Jean Potvin
player to be named later[lower-alpha 5]		 [23]
May 1973 To Philadelphia Flyers
Jim Stanfield		 To Portland Buckaroos (WHL)
cash		 [24]

Free agency

The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.

Date Player Previous team (league) Term Ref
September 1972Jack McIlhargeyFlin Flon Bombers (WCHL)[25]

Internal

The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry Draft, signed to contracts.

Date Player Term Ref
May 21, 1972Dave Schultz2-year[26]
May 22, 1972Rick Foley3-year[27]
May 22, 1972Bob Kelly2-year[27]
May 22, 1972Simon Noletmulti-year[27]
May 24, 1972Rick MacLeish3-year[28][29]
May 26, 1972Bill Clement2-year[30]
May 26, 1972Joe Watson2-year[30]
May 31, 1972Don Saleski2-year[31]
June 2, 1972Michel Belhumeur3-year[32]
June 2, 1972Gary Dornhoefer3-year[32]
June 2, 1972Ross Lonsberrymulti-year[32]
June 2, 1972Lew Morrison2-year[32]
June 2, 1972Jean Potvinmulti-year[32]
June 2, 1972Ed Van Impemulti-year[32]
June 5, 1972Doug Favell3-year[33]
June 19, 1972Bill Flett3-year[34]
June 20, 1972Bill Barber (DP)3-year[35]
June 20, 1972Tom Bladon (DP)3-year[35]
June 20, 1972Al MacAdam (DP)2-year[35]
June 20, 1972Jimmy Watson (DP)2-year[35]
August 15, 1972Barry Ashbee3-year[36]
August 15, 1972Yvon Bilodeau[36]
August 15, 1972Willie Brossart[36]
August 15, 1972Bob Currier2-year[36]
August 15, 1972Rene Drolet[36]
August 15, 1972Andre Gaudette[36]
August 15, 1972Wayne Hillman[36]
August 15, 1972Orest Kindrachuk[36]
August 15, 1972Roger Kosar[36]
August 15, 1972Danny Schock[36]
August 15, 1972Tom Trevelyan[36]
September 12, 1972Brent Hughes[37]

Intra-League

The 1972 NHL Intra-League Draft was held on June 5, 1972.[38] Each NHL team placed 18 players on a protected list from which the other teams could not select.[38] It cost $40,000 to make a claim.[39] The Flyers were not involved in any selections during the draft.[39]

Expansion

The 1972 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 6, 1972.[40][41] It featured two expansion teams, the Atlanta Flames and New York Islanders, selecting players from the 14 existing NHL teams.[40] Each NHL team placed 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders on a protected list from which the two expansion teams could not select.[40] The Flyers were one of four teams exempted from protecting goaltenders since they lost a goaltender in the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft.[40]

Philadelphia Flyers protection lists at the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft
Status Players
Protected[40] Barry Ashbee, Willie Brossart, Bobby Clarke, Bill Clement, Gary Dornhoefer, Bill Flett (added after Morrison selection), Rick Foley, Bob Kelly, Ross Lonsberry, Rick MacLeish, Simon Nolet, Michel Parizeau (added after Hale selection), Jean Potvin, Don Saleski, Dave Schultz, Ed Van Impe, Joe Watson
Selections[42] Atlanta Flames selected Lew Morrison 22nd overall
Atlanta Flames selected Larry Hale 36th overall
New York Islanders selected Jim Mair 39th overall

Reverse

The 1972 NHL Reverse Draft was held on June 8, 1972.[43][44] The Reverse Draft featured American Hockey League (AHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) teams selecting unprotected players from NHL teams.[43] It cost $15,000 to make a claim.[43]

Date Player Team Ref
June 8, 1972Andre Gaudetteto Richmond Robins (AHL)[43]
June 8, 1972Hank Nowakto Hershey Bears (AHL)[43]

Departures

The following players left the team via free agency, release, or retirement. Players who were under contract and left the team during the season are marked with an asterisk (*).

Date Player New team (league) Via Ref
May 25, 1972Dick SarrazinNew England Whalers (WHA)Free agency[45]
June 6, 1972Eddie JoyalAlberta Oilers (WHA)Free agency[46]
June 1972Jean-Guy GendronQuebec Nordiques (WHA)Free agency[47]
July 19, 1972Ralph MacSweynLos Angeles Sharks (WHA)Free agency[48]
July 1972Michel ParizeauQuebec Nordiques (WHA)Free agency[lower-alpha 6][49]
August 8, 1972Don McLeodHouston Aeros (WHA)Free agency[50]

Draft picks
See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft, which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, on June 8, 1972.[51] The Flyers traded their tenth round pick, 148th overall, to the Minnesota North Stars for cash during the draft.[52]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league)
1 7 Bill Barber Left Wing  Canada Kitchener Rangers (OHA)
2 23 Tom Bladon Defense  Canada Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
3 39 Jimmy Watson Defense  Canada Calgary Centennials (WCHL)
4 55 Al MacAdam Right Wing  Canada Charlottetown Islanders (MJHL)
5 71 Daryl Fedorak Goaltender  Canada Victoria Cougars (WCHL)
6 87 Dave Hasting Goaltender  Canada Charlottetown Islanders (MJHL)
7 103 Serge Beaudoin Defense  Canada Trois-Rivières Ducs (QMJHL)
8 119 Pat Russell Right Wing  Canada Vancouver Nats (WCHL)
9 135 Ray Boutin Goaltender  Canada Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Richmond Robins of the AHL,[53][54] the San Diego Gulls of the WHL,[55] and the Jersey Devils of the EHL.[55]

Notes
  1. Clarke replaced Van Impe as team captain on January 17.[1][2]
  2. Tied nine times by eight different players. See List of Philadelphia Flyers records.
  3. Tied fourteen times by eight different players. See List of Philadelphia Flyers records.
  4. Tied five times by five different players. See List of Philadelphia Flyers records.
  5. The Flyers sent Glen Irwin to New York on May 18, 1973, to complete trade.[22]
  6. Flyers retained NHL rights

References
General
Specific
  1. "CLARKE NAMED CAPTAIN". The Herald. January 18, 1973. p. 14. Retrieved December 20, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Flyers History – Hall of Fame Profile – Ed Van Impe". P. Anson. FlyersHistory.net. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  3. "All Time Team Attendance". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  4. Jackson, Jim. Walking Together Forever: The Broad Street Bullies, Then and Now. Sports Publishing L.L.C. pp. 1–3.
  5. Jack Chevalier (1973-01-03). "Broad Street Bullies Muscle Atlanta". Philadelphia Bulletin.
  6. "1972–1973 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  7. "Hart Memorial Trophy". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  8. 2014–15 NHL Official Guide & Record Book, p. 230–32
  9. "26th NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  10. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 264
  11. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 263
  12. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 350
  13. 2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 262
  14. "Flyers History – All-Time Firsts". P.Anson. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  15. "Flyers History – Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". P.Anson. Retrieved August 14, 2015. 13-Feb-73 New York Islanders 2 @ Philadelphia Flyers 8
  16. "Flyers History – Philadelphia Flyer Goal Season List". P.Anson. Retrieved August 12, 2015. Goal List for Rick MacLeish 1972–73 Season
  17. "Flyers History – Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". P.Anson. Retrieved August 12, 2015. 29-Mar-73 Atlanta Flames 2 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4
  18. "Flyers History – Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". P.Anson. Retrieved August 14, 2015. 8-Apr-73 Philadelphia Flyers 3 @ Minnesota North Stars 0
  19. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  20. "Flyers Acquire Contract of John McKenzie". AP. Pottstown Mercury. August 11, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Sports Briefs". Indiana Gazette. December 15, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Terry Crisp – Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  23. "Flyers trade Potvin for Terry Crisp". AP. Delaware County Daily Times. March 5, 1973. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "Jim Stanfield – Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  25. "John McIlhargey – Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  26. "Flyers Ink Schultz". AP. Kokomo Tribune. May 21, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Sports shorts". Ottawa Journal. May 23, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "no title". AP. The Troy Record. May 25, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Cite uses generic title (help)
  29. Meltzer, Bill (May 24, 2012). "Meltzer's Musings – Young D, Pelle's 53rd, Today in Flyers history". HockeyBuzz.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  30. "briefly". Brandon Sun. May 27, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Flyers Ink Don Saleski". AP. The Troy Record. June 1, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Sports Shorts". Pottstown Mercury. June 3, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Sport Shorts". AP. Silver City Daily Press. June 6, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Flett returns to NHL Flyers". AP. Ottawa Journal. June 20, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Flyers Sign Four Picks To Contracts". AP. The Times Record. June 21, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. "Philadelphia Flyers Sign 11 Players". AP. The Troy Record. August 16, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. "Hughes signs". UPI. The Lowell Sun. September 13, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. "Sabres Draft Horton From Pens on Gamble". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 6, 1972. p. 19. Retrieved July 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. Parsons, Mark (June 3, 2012). "1972 NHL Intra-League Draft". Historical Hockey Stats & Trivia. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  40. Parsons, Mark (June 17, 2012). "The 1972 NHL Expansion and Inter-League Drafts". Historical Hockey Stats & Trivia. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  41. "Flyers Lose 3 Players to 2 Expansion Teams". AP. Pottstown Mercury. June 7, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. "1972 NHL Expansion Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  43. Parsons, Mark (June 3, 2012). "1972 Reverse Draft". Historical Hockey Stats & Trivia. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  44. "Bears Add Two In Hockey's Reverse Draft". Lebanon Daily News. June 9, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. "New England Whalers Sign Dick Sarrazin". AP. The Evening Standard. May 26, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. "WHA Club Signs Seven". AP. The Post-Standard. June 7, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. Jean-Guy Gendron biography at Legends of Hockey, retrieved March 22, 2015
  48. "no title". Ottawa Journal. July 20, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Cite uses generic title (help)
  49. "Michel Parizeau career profile at HockeyDraftCentral.com". HockeyDraftCentral. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  50. "Dineen expecting strong WHA club". AP. Brownwood Bulletin. August 9, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. "1972 NHL Amateur Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  52. "1972 NHL Amateur Draft Pick Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  53. "AHL Franchise Statistics". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  54. "AHL Season Overview: 1972–73". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  55. "Non-AHL Affiliates". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
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