Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Clarke, Childhood Heroes and Fatherhood

Wonderful blog Bill, thank you!

My favorite player growing up. Simply the greatest Flyer ever . The face of the franchise and the pinnacle of what any player who is lucky enough to wear the jersey should strive for.

Great work Bill love it!

Great blog Bill! For anyone who got to enjoy Bobby Clarke when he played, is there anybody in today's game that reminds you at all of Clarke?

Fantastic blog Bill. Just tremendous. Thank you.

Great blog Bill! For anyone who got to enjoy Bobby Clarke when he played, is there anybody in today's game that reminds you at all of Clarke?
- five4fighting10

Toews

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Clarke, Childhood Heroes and Fatherhood
- bmeltzer

So a buddy and I are sitting having Dinner at Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant in Toronto back in 2005 prior to the Leafs/Flyers game. During Dinner I have my back to the door and there is a live broad cast of hockey radio going on. Suddenly my buddy nods at me and says "You're buddy just walked in". Naturally I'm thinking I'm gonna turn to an unattractive woman or a mentally challenged person because that's the type of sick game we played but when I looked over my shoulder, I was Bob Clarke headed to the stage to join the broad cast. Without thinking I smacked him as he walked by and put out my hand for a hand shake. Of course he stood it and I told him was happy to meet him, as he replied kindly "Thank you".

When I finally realized what happened I was very star struck. For about 3 seconds of my life, I think I might have been gay.

Side note. It was my first time seeing Eric Lindros play but as a Leaf, who also scored against us. It was also the night Mike Richards scored his first 2 man shorthanded goal...and Yes Patrick Sharp and Brian Savage both took part in the game.

It's always your cousin Wayne that breaks something, isn't it...

Great blog Bill! For anyone who got to enjoy Bobby Clarke when he played, is there anybody in today's game that reminds you at all of Clarke?
- five4fighting10

As Bill says, Toews comes closest, but, again as Bill already mentioned, Clarke was better!!

As Bill says, Toews comes closest, but, again as Bill already mentioned, Clarke was better!!
- BiggE

A tad meaner as well!!

As Bill says, Toews comes closest, but, again as Bill already mentioned, Clarke was better!!
- BiggE

As a fan who was born in 1982 who never saw him play, isn't from the area and has seen every player from Mike Richards to Claude Giroux get compared to him, it's finally nice to get a real frame of reference. A meaner Jonathon Toews finally tells a tall tail of the legend that is Bobby Clarke.

Nice write up, Billy. That's an awesome story about your boy.

Manitoba boy.

Manitoba boy.
- flyer_nutter

You are allowed one from time to time

I guess it's just too hot for hockey talk.

I guess it's just too hot for hockey talk.
- Dkos

Yup, pretty much

Jesus, this makes me miss my childhood.

Great work, Bill. As always.

I have been watching game since before the Flyers. My all time NHL team would include Bobby Clarke somewhere among 12 forwards.

As Bill said, he never ever took a shift off. He is the best player this team has ever seen.