The Flyers played their home opener at the new Xfinity Mobile Center last night, Monday October 13th. I tuned in early, to see the player introductions and tribute to Bernie Parent, the Hall of Fame Goalie we lost just a few weeks ago.
The ceremony was beautiful, the intros were exciting, and the crowd was involved and loud. While there was no tribute last year, the intro were similar. Looking back on that game I couldn’t help but remember how utterly flat the team played. It was quite possibly the worst home opener I have watched, and was arguably the beginning of the end for Coach John Tortorella who was fired with just nine games remaining in the season.
Lots of folks didn’t think Rick Tocchet was the answer as the new Head Coach. I did, and still do. Lots of folks don’t think Coots is the answer as Captain. I did, and still do.
The Flyers are more than a hockey team, they are a family. I will always believe that, and this blog, the one I so proudly write for, has shown me that time after time.
I am a cancer survivor. When I was first diagnosed, my treatment involved a three week in patient stay. I was absent from social media and had recently gotten engaged. My blog squad was worried that I might be in his trunk or basement, and they initiated a Delaware State Police Wellness Check. Even when my son answered the Ring, the Officer insisted on talking to me. That is more than friendship, that is family.
As my treatment continued, it was my hockey family that visited. My blog squad made the trip, bringing a basket of goodies. That basket included what is now my favorite Flyers blanket and a Flyers spatula. They texted often, more often than my other friends and family. Co-workers I had considered true friends, not so much. Even the co worker that did visit often is a hockey person…. a Rangers fan married to a Islanders fan (talk about love). Other frequent visitors were a Church friend who is a Penguins fan and of course my Best Friend, a Devils fan who came to the hospital to set me up with YouTube Television so I could watch Flyers games.
Another visitor was a dear friend who is a Breast Cancer survivor who lost her own father to cancer. Took a two hour drive and brought fresh fruit, because the only thing worse than the hockey coverage in that hospital was the God Awful food they served. Oh, and her Dad, who I called Dad, adored the Flyers. I know he is somewhere chatting Bernie up as I write this.
Those who didn’t call and /or visit? Not Hockey People. People I thought I meant something to, people whose children I loved like my own. Not a text, not a FaceTime. One sent a gift, but it was a gift suggested for “normal” chemotherapy.
Rick Tocchet is part of that Flyers Family, has been for a very long time. I have pictures of him from a Flyers Wives Carnival from what feels like a life time ago. He had a full head of hair, I was young and single long before cancer.
So doubt if you will, but I happen to believe that this was the right move. We have Flyers family in the front office, as assistants and now behind the bench. The proof is in the pudding, and that pudding handed the 2 time defending Stanley Cup Champions their first loss of the young season. A true Captain puts his money where his mouth is, and he had four points in that win.
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