When Did the Philadelphia Flyers Join the NHL?
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers were founded in 1967 as one of six expansion teams, and were the first expansion team in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup, which they did in 1974.
1967 NHL Expansion
The Philadelphia Flyers were one of six teams to join the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the 1967 NHL expansion. The other five teams were the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and the California Seals.
Philadelphia is one of six cities to be awarded an NHL franchise
In 1967, the NHL doubled in size from six to 12 teams, with the Philadelphia Flyers becoming one of the new franchises. The other five cities to be awarded franchises were Los Angeles, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and San Francisco. The Flyers were originally slated to begin play in the 1967-68 season, but arena delays pushed their debut back to the following year.
The Flyers are the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup
In 1967, the NHL doubled in size from six to twelve teams with the addition of the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in the Western Division; and the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues in the Eastern Division.
The Philadelphia Flyers were the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup when they defeated the Boston Bruins in 1974.
The First Season
The Philadelphia Flyers joined the NHL for the 1967-68 season. They were the first expansion team in the NHL’s Original Six era. The Flyers had a successful first season, making it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Flyers play their first game on October 11, 1967
In their first game, the Flyers shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-0. Bernie Parent made twenty-seven saves for the shutout. The Flyers would win their first four games before losing to the St. Louis Blues. They would finish their inaugural season with a record of 42 wins, 30 losses, and 8 ties for 92 points, good enough for second place in the West Division behind the Saint Louis Blues.
The Flyers finish their inaugural season with a record of 31-31-6
The Flyers finish their inaugural season with a record of 31-31-6, earning them 68 points. They qualified for the playoffs, but lost in the first round to the St. Louis Blues.
Notable Flyers Players and Moments
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team who are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. The Flyers were founded in 1967 as an expansion team, and they have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup twice. Some of the most notable players in Flyers history include Bernie Parent, Mark Howe, and Bobby Clarke.
Bernie Parent leads the Flyers to their first Stanley Cup win in 1974
In only their seventh year of existence, the Flyers won their first Stanley Cup in 1974. They did it in style, becoming the first expansion team to sweep an Original Six team in the Stanley Cup Finals. They were also the first team to win the Cup after losing the previous year’s Final. Bernie Parent was a big reason for their success, as he posted a 1.89 GAA and .933 save percentage in the playoffs. He was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP.
The “Broad Street Bullies” win the Stanley Cup in 1975
The “Broad Street Bullies” were born in the 1974-75 season when head coach Fred Shero led the Philadelphia Flyers to their first Stanley Cup victory. The team’s tough, physical style of play was a perfect fit for the city of Philadelphia and the Flyers quickly became one of the most popular teams in the NHL. The team would go on to win the Stanley Cup again in both 1974-75 and 1975-76, cementing their place as one of the greatest teams in NHL history.
The “Legion of Doom” line is formed in the early 1990s
In the early 1990s, the Philadelphia Flyers formed the “Legion of Doom” line, one of the most formidable forward lines in NHL history. The line was anchored by power forwards Eric Lindros and John LeClair, with speedster Mikael Renberg on the right wing. The line helped lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997, where they were ultimately defeated by the Detroit Red Wings.
The Flyers Today
The Flyers make it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010
The Philadelphia Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the Flyers’ first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1997.
The Flyers are one of the most popular teams in the NHL
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers were established in 1967 as an expansion team, becoming the first expansion team in the NHL’s Original Six era to win the Stanley Cup, which they did in 1974–75.
