NHL News: legend of Bernie Parent flyers who won 2 Stanley cups dead at 80

The renowned mouth guard of hockey Bernie Parent, a legend of the philadelphia flyers who supported the franchise to his only two titles of the Stanley Cup, died at the age of 80.

The Flyers announced the death of the parents on Sunday, although no detail was published. Former teammate Joe Watson said Parent died in his sleep during the night.

“Bernie had such pain, he could barely walk,” said Watson, referring to parent’s back problems. “We had a good time, but I felt bad because he was suffering so terrible. To see it happening, it’s very sad.”

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The former Philadelphie Bernie Waves flyer acts on fans as he climbs in the 2018 NHL Discovery Floor Floor during the Thhanksgiving Day Parade of Macy on November 22, 2018 in New York. (Mike Stobe / NHLI via Getty Images)

Watson said he had just seen the parent at an event on Friday evening in Delaware.

While the Flyers of 1974-75 presented stars through the ice, Parent was the regular strength in net for these winning teams of the Stanley Cup. He not only helped secure the titles, but also won the Conn Smythe and Vezina trophies during the two seasons.

The Flyers have become the first NHL expansion team to win the Stanley Cup.

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“The legend of Bernie Parent has reached far beyond the ice and its distinctions,” the flyers said in a press release. “Bernie had a deep love for Philadelphia and fans of the flyers. He was passionate about his role as ambassador for Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education and inspired a whole generation of hockey fans.

“He spent his time, his energy and his enthusiasm to develop not only the game, but also to spread joy to anyone he met.”

The parents’ career began in Boston in 1965, but it was not protected in the 1967 expansion draft, where the flyers selected it.

Bernie Parent poses for a photo during his day with the Stanley Cup in Bernie, Bobby and the Cup statue on February 24, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Andre Ringuette / NHLI via Getty)

His first visit to Philadelphia lasted three and a half seasons before being exchanged to the Maple Leafs of Toronto. He returned to the Flyers for the 1973-74 season, and his best hockey followed.

Philadelphia won 47 games in 1973-74, leading the NHL, and followed with 44 wins the following year, once again the best in the League.

“To his best unbeatable and imperturbable on the ice, when the stakes were the highest, Bernie was a warm and gregarious bear of a man out of the ice that was venerated in Philadelphia and adored in the world of hockey,” said the NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. “The whole family of the National Hockey League mourns the death of this beloved icon and sends their greatest condolences to his wife, Gini, his family, and his countless fans and friends.”

The parent was ambassador for the flyers for many years, leaving a sustainable mark on the franchise and the city.

Bernie Parent poses for a photo during her day with the Stanley Cup in Laura Sims Skatehouse on February 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Andre Ringuette / NHLI via Getty)

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“He was so good with people,” said Watson. “Many athletes do not understand or give fans for the time of day. Bernie gave everyone the time of day. He would always have his rings. He would show them to people and people liked to see them.”

The parent was inducted into the temple of renowned hockey in 1984 and was named one of the 100 best NHL players in 2017.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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