Bill Meltzer: Musings: Clarke Turns 68, Bryan Murray

Like many Flyer fans it all started with Clarke for me. Fairly or unfairly he is the organization measuring stick for what is to be a Philadelphia Flyer. Lofty standards for sure. Happy B day

Happy birthday Clarkie!!!

I have few fonder memories than those of Bobby Clarke skating with the Stanley Cup. If every Flyer had the work ethic and will to win of Clarke, they'd be playing for the Cup every year.

Also, condolences to the Murray family on the passing of Brian Murray.

Crazy to look at his numbers and see how far ahead he is of guys amongst all Flyers. Aside from goals, which he wasn't insanely far behind, he's leaps and bounds the best. Just look at his assists and the next closest player. Clarke has well over 800, next guy is pushing 500. Talk about a playmaker.

Happy birthday Clarkie!!!

I have few fonder memories than those of Bobby Clarke skating with the Stanley Cup. If every Flyer had the work ethic and will to win of Clarke, they'd be playing for the Cup every year.

Also, condolences to the Murray family on the passing of Brian Murray.
- BiggE

your up early today, how was breakfast.

Happy birthday Clarkie!!!

I have few fonder memories than those of Bobby Clarke skating with the Stanley Cup. If every Flyer had the work ethic and will to win of Clarke, they'd be playing for the Cup every year.

Also, condolences to the Murray family on the passing of Brian Murray.
- BiggE

vandevelde has that, so what happened?

Crazy to look at his numbers and see how far ahead he is of guys amongst all Flyers. Aside from goals, which he wasn't insanely far behind, he's leaps and bounds the best. Just look at his assists and the next closest player. Clarke has well over 800, next guy is pushing 500. Talk about a playmaker.
- Pelle31Forever

He was amazing. He seemed to have eyes in the back of his head and his passes were almost always right on the tape. Other than Gretzky, he was as good a playmaker as I've ever seen.

Yes, Clarke had a ruthless edge to his game. He doled out more than his share of slashes, spears and butt-ends.
- bmeltzer

I well remember Clarke as a player but wasn't living in the area when he was active. Does anybody remember him being suspended for some of that stickwork? I can't think of a particular incident where he was but do recall a spear on Rod Seiling that got a ton of negative attention.

Great blog. Thanks Bill. As someone who wasn't old enough to ever watch Clarke, it is fun to imagine what it would've been like from the stories.

RIP Bryan Murray

Like many Flyer fans it all started with Clarke for me. Fairly or unfairly he is the organization measuring stick for what is to be a Philadelphia Flyer. Lofty standards for sure. Happy B day
- landros 2

Who has fit the Bill so far in terms of meeting the standard?

He was amazing. He seemed to have eyes in the back of his head and his passes were almost always right on the tape. Other than Gretzky, he was as good a playmaker as I've ever seen.
- BiggE

Good post. Clarke was underrated

Who has fit the Bill so far in terms of meeting the standard?
- SuperSchennBros

When it comes to giving their all every moment they are on the ice and always putting the team first? Quite a few guys

Bill Barber
Paul Holmgren
Brad Marsh
Dave Poulin
Ron Hextall
Rod Brind'amour
Eric Desjardins
Sami Kapanen
Derian Hatcher
Jason Smith
Kimmo Timonen
Wayne Simmonds

Bobby Clarke....68....wow!

Loved the double Cup winning Flyers of the mid seventies. Clarke always one of my favorite non-Hawks of all-time!!!

Worked so hard. Anything to win (and ya, crossed the line plenty....but that was part of his "charm").

And, who can't like those toothless grin pictures during that time.....priceless!!!

I would take a 1975 Bobby Clarke on my team ANY day. Heart and soul!!!

To the person who keeps messaging me:

I don't like you
I want nothing to do with you
I hope I never meet you in real life
Please stop messaging me, I've already reported you to the mods for bothering me.
I will not respond any to you any more.

Thank you. Have a nice life.

When it comes to giving their all every moment they are on the ice and always putting the team first? Quite a few guys

Bill Barber
Paul Holmgren
Brad Marsh
Dave Poulin
Ron Hextall
Rod Brind'amour
Eric Desjardins
Sami Kapanen
Derian Hatcher
Jason Smith
Kimmo Timonen
Wayne Simmonds
- BiggE

Solid list
Forgot kevin dineen

To the person who keeps messaging me:

I don't like you
I want nothing to do with you
I hope I never meet you in real life
Please stop messaging me, I've already reported you to the mods for bothering me.
I will not respond any to you any more.

Thank you. Have a nice life.
- BiggE

U have a lot of pent up anger ? Are u ok? If you need to talk to someone let me know.

Where you in Virginia yesterday ?

Bobby Clarke....68....wow!

Loved the double Cup winning Flyers of the mid seventies. Clarke always one of my favorite non-Hawks of all-time!!!

Worked so hard. Anything to win (and ya, crossed the line plenty....but that was part of his "charm").

And, who can't like those toothless grin pictures during that time.....priceless!!!

I would take a 1975 Bobby Clarke on my team ANY day. Heart and soul!!!
- hawk35

Happy birthday Clarkie!!!

I have few fonder memories than those of Bobby Clarke skating with the Stanley Cup. If every Flyer had the work ethic and will to win of Clarke, they'd be playing for the Cup every year.

Also, condolences to the Murray family on the passing of Brian Murray.
- BiggE

Kimmo getting his Cup is up there for me, albeit I didn't watch Clarke or any of those guys.

Anyone interested in getting a pick up ice or roller game set? Would love to net some of you

Kimmo getting his Cup is up there for me, albeit I didn't watch Clarke or any of those guys.
- Giroux_Is_God

Kimmo getting his Cup is one of my favorite non-Flyer NHL moments.

Some others would be:
Lanny McDonald finally getting a Cup in 89
Ray Bourque finally getting his in 2001
seeing Gordie Howe live, playing in the NHL in 1980 and seeing him in one last all star game that same season

Great blog. Thanks Bill. As someone who wasn't old enough to ever watch Clarke, it is fun to imagine what it would've been like from the stories.

RIP Bryan Murray
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed. It's a very interesting dynamic. Those Cup teams are deities in Flyer lore for their grit and skill, and NHL legends as the Broad St Bullies, from 40 yrs ago. Truly an all time team, no matter the generation. I wonder if any other franchise has such an influential team like that. The Oliers come to mind, anyone else?

Kimmo getting his Cup is one of my favorite non-Flyer NHL moments.

Some others would be:
Lanny McDonald finally getting a Cup in 89
Ray Bourque finally getting his in 2001
seeing Gordie Howe live, playing in the NHL in 1980 and seeing him in one last all star game that same season
- BiggE

I was like 8 when Ray won it but I understand now what a big deal that was

the world would be better off if it had been Bobby Clarke instead of Bryan Murray.

Bobby Clarke is an embarassment. he was a coward of a player. he would constantly incite things only to have his tougher teammates clean up. he would only ever actually finish things he started with players his size or smaller. played dirty as a rat. how does anyone glorify someone for chopping off as many ankles as he could?

then he gets Into management. throws unhealthy players into play endangering their careers. rips apart one if the most respected hockey people in Roger Nielsen, while the guy has cancer.

what a slimeball.

To the person who keeps messaging me:

I don't like you
I want nothing to do with you
I hope I never meet you in real life
Please stop messaging me, I've already reported you to the mods for bothering me.
I will not respond any to you any more.

Thank you. Have a nice life.
- BiggE

Agreed. It's a very interesting dynamic. Those Cup teams are deities in Flyer lore for their grit and skill, and NHL legends as the Broad St Bullies, from 40 yrs ago. Truly an all time team, no matter the generation. I wonder if any other franchise has such an influential team like that. The Oliers come to mind, anyone else?
- Giroux_Is_God

I think the Bullies relationship with the fanbase is unique when compared to other Philly teams. Overall, I'm sure there must a few similar examples in other cities:

Boston: The Celtics of the 1960s and the Red Sox team that finally broke the curse
Chicago: Jordan's Bulls and the 85 Bears
Green Bay: Lombardi's Packers
Miami: the 72 Dolphins
Edmonton: as you mentioned, the 80s Oilers

There are probably a few others, but those 5 come right to mind.