Bernard Marcel "Bernie" Parent, a name synonymous with Philadelphia Flyers hockey, passed away on September 21, 2025, at the age of 80. Parent, a Hall of Fame goaltender, is remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the position, and an integral part of the Flyers' Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975.
Born on April 3, 1945, in Rosemont, Quebec, Parent's early aspirations were shaped by his idol, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante. Parent's journey to the NHL began with the Niagara Falls Flyers, where he twice won the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the lowest goals-against average. He then won the Memorial Cup in 1965. His professional career commenced in 1965 with the Boston Bruins, where he played for parts of two seasons.
In 1967, Parent was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the expansion draft. After a trade sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he found his way back to Philadelphia in 1973. It was upon his return that Parent cemented his legacy, transforming the Flyers into a championship-caliber team.
Parent led the Flyers to their first Stanley Cup in 1974 and successfully defended the title in 1975. During those two seasons, he earned both the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs and the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender. In those consecutive Stanley Cup wins, Parent recorded 30 shutouts combined in the regular and postseason games. His stellar play during this period is considered by many to be the finest stretch ever by a goaltender. In the 1973-74 season, Parent led the league with a 1.89 goals-against average, a .933 save percentage, and 12 shutouts.
Parent's career was cut short on February 17, 1979, when he suffered a career-ending eye injury against the New York Rangers. He retired at the age of 34, finishing his NHL career with a 271-198-119 record, a 2.55 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and 54 shutouts in 13 seasons. Of those 13 seasons, 10 were with the Flyers.
Parent's impact on the Flyers organization is immeasurable. He ranks second in franchise history for games played (486) and wins (231) by a goalie, and he holds the team record for 50 shutouts. His number 1 was retired by the Flyers on October 11, 1979. In 1984, he became the first Flyer inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, Parent was named one of the NHL's Top 100 Players of all time.
Beyond his on-ice accomplishments, Parent was deeply involved in the Philadelphia community. He served as an ambassador for the Flyers and the Flyers Alumni Association. For 20 years, Parent was also an ambassador for Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education, where he helped grow the game.
The Flyers will honor Parent's legacy throughout the 2025-26 season. The team will wear a jersey patch featuring Parent's retired No. 1. His number will also be painted behind the net at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Flyers will host a public "Celebration of Life" on November 21, followed by a dedication game against the New Jersey Devils on November 22. In addition, after each win, the Flyers will award a retro goalie mask to their player of the game in honor of Parent.
