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In Memory of Bernie Parent, Who Was a Great Flyers Goaltender, but an Even Better Person
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Waking up on Sunday morning, the day the Flyers preseason would finally begin, and hearing the news of Bernie Parent’s passing was a punch to the gut.
Heroes and icons like Bernie carry an air of invincibility, almost as if they are not subject to the human reality of death. As great as Bernie Parent was as an NHL Goalie, and he was great, he was an even better person.
Bernie lit up a room when he entered. Always with a huge smile, a funny quip, and a charm very few possess. Bernie had time for anyone and everyone and he always left a lasting memory. Most icons off the field of play have a hard time living up to our perception of them as great players or performers. That was NOT the case with Bernie. Once you met him you felt like you always knew him. You felt special because he made you feel special, and that is a rare trait.
To me and many people my age, a bit older and a bit younger than my 53 years, Bernie was one of the pillars of Flyers hockey. He was this mystery behind a legendary mask. He was capable of stopping pucks seemingly destined for the back of the net. Bernie was not only really good at goaltending, he was great when it mattered most. When the lights were the brightest. In his 10 years backstopping the Flyers, Bernie had a Goals Against Average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .917 with 50 shutouts. He played 73 of 82 games in the 1973-74 regular season. Great numbers for sure.
But when it really counts and goaltending is even more important in the playoffs, WOW. Bernie Parent won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP in the 1974 and 1975 Stanley Cup-winning seasons, leading the team to victory with impressive performances that included game 6 shutouts in both years. In 1974, he had a 12-4 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage, and in 1975 he had a 10-3 record with a 1.89 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Even if you used the adjusted goals against average designed to equate eras of hockey and goaltending, Bernie ranks 5th all-time with a 2.47 GAA.
Bernie suffered a career-ending eye injury February 17th, 1979, when the stick of the Don Maloney inadvertently went through the eyehole of his goalie mask during a game against the New York Rangers. The injury caused permanent damage to his right eye and vision, ultimately forcing the 34-year-old Hall of Famer to retire from the NHL. Bernie became a goalie coach for the Flyers way before this was a normal position in hockey and mentored three other superb goaltenders in Pelle Lindbergh, Ron Hextall, and Bob Froese.
On September 21st, we lost one of the pillars of Philadelphia Sport. A Mount Rushmore caliber player and man. Having Bernie Parent as a citizen of the Philadelphia area and very often at the Jersey Shore was a gift. What he brought to so many was the invitation to become a Flyers Fan. Bernie Parent will be missed by so many. Our condolences go out to his family, wife Gini, many friends and fans. Many loved Bernie Parent and for good reason. The #1 is in the rafters of heaven now and may he rest in peace.
Jason Myrtetus is a Philadelphia-based broadcaster and host, best known for his work with the Philadelphia Flyers since 2008. He serves as a radio pregame, intermission, and postgame host and is the voice behind the Flyers Daily and Hockey & Hounds podcasts. A passionate hockey enthusiast, Myrtetus played organized hockey from age 5 to 50, starting as a goalie and later coaching youth teams. His career began in rock radio before transitioning to sports, including roles at WIP, WYSP, and 97.5 The Fanatic, where he worked as Assistant Program Director, producer, and co-host. Diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in December 2024, Myrtetus has openly shared his battle, drawing on his hockey-rooted resilience to face treatment. A father of three and husband to Angela, he remains a vital part of the Flyers’ broadcast community.