Bill Meltzer: 46 Years Ago Today: Flyers Win 1st Stanley Cup

Hey, Bill! So I’m 40, and never got to see MacLeish play. His contributions and numbers seem so significant to the Flyers’ legacy.

Has his number ever been considered for retirement being how he was such a staple in their early success? If not, how come? What don’t I know as a person ignorant of his play?

I mean, maybe the totals weren’t quite impressive enough, but considering the time period and what he brought to the table to help create a young franchise truly flourish, it just seems like he should get the nod.

Im sure you’re busy, but if you get a chance to respond, thanks in advance!

Must be nice to have lived that

Hey, Bill! So I’m 40, and never got to see MacLeish play. His contributions and numbers seem so significant to the Flyers’ legacy.

Has his number ever been considered for retirement being how he was such a staple in their early success? If not, how come? What don’t I know as a person ignorant of his play?

I mean, maybe the totals weren’t quite impressive enough, but considering the time period and what he brought to the table to help create a young franchise truly flourish, it just seems like he should get the nod.

Im sure you’re busy, but if you get a chance to respond, thanks in advance!
- Hesh_

Great talent, effortless skater, world-class wrist shot. Had a rep for coming up huge in big games. Also had a rep for not being the hardest worker. By his own admission, he was indifferent defensively except when he had to be. Had some injury issues. Still had a 50-goal, 100-point year and came close another time.

He is in the Flyers Hall of Fame, and was a no-brainer for that honor. Jersey retirement, with the exception of the special case of Barry Ashbee, has been reserved for Hockey Hall of Famers who spent all/most of their NHL career in Philadelphia.

Great talent, effortless skater, world-class wrist shot. Had a rep for coming up hugr in big games. Also had a rep for not being the hardest worker. By his own admission, he was indifferent defensively except when he had to be. Had some injury issues. Still had a 50-goal, 100-point year and came close another time.

He is in the Flyers Hall of Fame, and was a no-brainer for that honor. Jersey retirement, with the exception of the special case of Barry Ashbee, has been reserved for Hockey Hall of Famers who spent all/most of their NHL career in Philadelphia.
- bmeltzer

I think there should be a handful of special cases in terms of jersey retirements.

Great talent, effortless skater, world-class wrist shot. Had a rep for coming up huge in big games. Also had a rep for not being the hardest worker. By his own admission, he was indifferent defensively except when he had to be. Had some injury issues. Still had a 50-goal, 100-point year and came close another time.

He is in the Flyers Hall of Fame, and was a no-brainer for that honor. Jersey retirement, with the exception of the special case of Barry Ashbee, has been reserved for Hockey Hall of Famers who spent all/most of their NHL career in Philadelphia.
- bmeltzer

Macleish was the ultimate big game player. Once the playoffs started, he shifted into a higher gear and played like a franchise player. As much as having a goalie like Parent was huge during the Cup runs, having the one-two punch of Clarke and Macleish up the middle was just as important.

Macleish’s combined numbers during the 2 playoff runs:
GP: 34
G: 24
A: 18
PTS: 42
GWG: 5

Clarke’s numbers:
GP: 34
G: 9
A: 23
PTS: 32
GWG: 4

Pretty impressive numbers! Both were mainstays on the PK and PP and Clarke also usually matched up against the other teams top line.

I think there should be a handful of special cases in terms of jersey retirements.
- SuperSchennBros

Agreed. Other than Ashbee being a special case, I like the fact that they’ve only retired the numbers of hall of fame players. The one exception that I could see would be Giroux, if he can do all of the following:

1. Finish his career a Flyer
2. Score 1000 or more career points
3. Captain the team to a Cup

If he can do all 3, then Hall of fame or not, he deserves to have his number in the rafters.

At the time of his 50 Goal season, wasn't MacLeish the youngest player to have done so?

It's bittersweet Bill because it's a reminder of how long we've been waiting for a third cup. I was there for the game. My buddy and I took one of the red, white and blue buntings. We each got half. As we were taking it down the usher just shrugged and smiled. Not to be morbid but I'm starting to lose faith about seeing another cup. Maybe the hat trick will come in '26.

This needs to happen again...SOON!!!

Agreed. Other than Ashbee being a special case, I like the fact that they’ve only retired the numbers of hall of fame players. The one exception that I could see would be Giroux, if he

1. Finish his career a Flyer
2. Score 1000 or more career points
3. Captain the team to a Cup

If he can do all 3, then Hall of fame or not, he deserves to have his number in the rafters.
- BiggE

Just win the cup!!!

Agreed. Other than Ashbee being a special case, I like the fact that they’ve only retired the numbers of hall of fame players. The one exception that I could see would be Giroux, if he can do all of the following:

1. Finish his career a Flyer
2. Score 1000 or more career points
3. Captain the team to a Cup

If he can do all 3, then Hall of fame or not, he deserves to have his number in the rafters.
- BiggE

If he does those 3, he'll probably get into the HHOF. Also, ir should be a split retirement between Giroux and Kent Manderville. Going 800 or so games without a goal is quite the achievement.

And xx years ago today (less than 46), my brother was born - Happy birthday, man! So it's pretty easy for me to remember the exact date of the Flyers' first Cup.

And yes, it's been very long since the Flyers were last champs, with lots of bitter near-misses. But, at the risk of sounding like I'm putting the Eagles down (which I certainly don't mean to), if they can win the SB with nobody seeing it coming before that season started, then the Flyers can certainly win the Cup again very soon.

Being the optimist I suppose, I have been wondering - if the Flyers could win the Cup this year, but not have a parade because of social distancing... would we rather have that, or wait until "next" season, go all the way, and have the Cup rolling up/down Broad Street?

And xx years ago today (less than 46), my brother was born - Happy birthday, man! So it's pretty easy for me to remember the exact date of the Flyers' first Cup.

And yes, it's been very long since the Flyers were last champs, with lots of bitter near-misses. But, at the risk of sounding like I'm putting the Eagles down (which I certainly don't mean to), if they can win the SB with nobody seeing it coming before that season started, then the Flyers can certainly win the Cup again very soon.

Being the optimist I suppose, I have been wondering - if the Flyers could win the Cup this year, but not have a parade because of social distancing... would we rather have that, or wait until "next" season, go all the way, and have the Cup rolling up/down Broad Street?
- copelal

This WILL happen. I have been alive (and moere than 3 days old) for 2 championships. I missed the 2008 Phillies parade due to my beat friend's dad's funeral, and missed the Eagles parade due to my wife being ready to give birth to my son any second. So of course they'll win the one season I can't go to the parade.

Agreed. Other than Ashbee being a special case, I like the fact that they’ve only retired the numbers of hall of fame players. The one exception that I could see would be Giroux, if he can do all of the following:

1. Finish his career a Flyer
2. Score 1000 or more career points
3. Captain the team to a Cup

If he can do all 3, then Hall of fame or not, he deserves to have his number in the rafters.
- BiggE

You know what? Not even just captained to a Cup. What hasn’t Giroux done as a Flyer? It would be great if we won in 2010. It would be great if he won the two Hart’s he was nominated for. It would be great if he played in the olympics. The point is, Giroux is capable of being apart of all those achievements. We know he’s been snubbed, so why snub him of having his number raised?

Bill Meltzer: 46 Years Ago Today: Flyers Win 1st Stanley Cup
- bmeltzer

We haven't even completed this season yet, but I kinda miss the double logo at center ice already.

May 19th, 1974 I remember fondly. I was -2.

Wow, this was a LONG TIME AGO! I still remember the toothless grin of Clarke when he grabbed the cup

Glorious time indeed. Back when my parents were planning their wedding.

Way overdue for a title.

ttt

"Orr shoves it down the ice. Parent makes the save. Ladies and gentlemen, the Flyers are going to win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers have won the Stanley Cup!"

Chills every time I hear it.

I dunno if you all realize this, but Giroux only needs 34 points to catch Propp and 68 points for Barber to reach 2nd all-time in the franchise’s leading scorer’s list. Barring catastrophe or major injury, he does this within a season. He’s already 2nd all time in assists, and will pass Billy Barber as the 2nd longest tenured Flyers of all time in a mere 14 games.

Folks, his jersey is going up even if he does none of those three things on the list.

In fact, it’s almost inevitable that he gets the honor as is. Of this period, he’s the guy. Doesn’t matter what you think of his leadership. Too bad. It’s gonna happen.

In a few years after his retirement, even most of the hardened anti-Giroux people will soften their stance. Time does that. Nostalgia kicks in, he will become beloved by the vast majority, and they’ll want his sweater up with the greats. Save for a few stubborn, simpleton ham ‘n eggers, he will be cherished as an all-time Flyer.

Must be nice to have lived that
- Just5

It was.

Macleish was the ultimate big game player. Once the playoffs started, he shifted into a higher gear and played like a franchise player. As much as having a goalie like Parent was huge during the Cup runs, having the one-two punch of Clarke and Macleish up the middle was just as important.

Macleish’s combined numbers during the 2 playoff runs:
GP: 34
G: 24
A: 18
PTS: 42
GWG: 5

Clarke’s numbers:
GP: 34
G: 9
A: 23
PTS: 32
GWG: 4

Pretty impressive numbers! Both were mainstays on the PK and PP and Clarke also usually matched up against the other teams top line.
- BiggE

was my favorite player from the cup teams

when that team won the Cup, a family bond was cemented which has endured decades

it's amazing how many of those players, none of whom were from the area, came to call the Philadelphia area home after their playing days were over

Would love to see the Flyers win a Stanley Cup in the next half-century.