PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Bob Kelly #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni skates against Francois Leroux #18 of the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni on January 14, 2017 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/Getty Images
Every Flyers fan knows the iconic Bob “The Hound” Kelly. Maybe most know him for Kelly scoring the game winning goal in the1975 Stanley Cup Finals, just 11 seconds into the third period of game six. Kelly stole the puck behind the Sabres’ net and was able to slide the puck under the Sabres goalie to earn the Flyers their second straight Cup victory, “It was one goal,” Kelly said. “It’s not about one goal, it’s about coaching and the team. Great owner, great GM, we had a blast.”
Believe it or not, the former enforcer in Kelly has favorite present day Flyers to include Travis Konecny, Claude Giroux, and Sean Couturier. He does admit the game has changed over the years, “Nobody plays the game like Eddie Van Impe, Tommy Bland, and Behn Wilson. Nobody plays the game like them. Always have to be aware of them,” Kelly said.
The Flyers Alum in Kelly stated, “I like Konecny. He is not as big, but skates tall. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Giroux. He’s talented, and Couts is also tremendous.”
Kelly spent 10 seasons with the Flyers. The fans love him and have great respect for him. The alumni and most fans are looking forward to the alumni game that will be played on Monday November 15, 2021, at the Wells Fargo Center at 7pm. It’s great time to give back to the fans, and everyone gets to see each other again. Links will be provided below for more ticket information.
“When you look, you miss the teammates in the locker room, you miss being in front of the crowd, being in front of the fans of Philadelphia night in and night out was awesome. Lindros, Mellanby coming into to play for the locker room. Great to play and have everybody together again.” – Bob “The Hound” Kelly
This alumni game will be a special one, better than the one at Citizen’s Bank Park a few years ago, with names like Danny Briere, Donald Brashear, Mark Howe, Scott Hartnell, Paul Holmgren, Brian Propp, Reggie Leach, John LeClair, Eric Lindros, Ron Sutter, Chris Therien, Rick Tocchet, Scottie Upshall, Joe Watson, and more. You can’t go wrong, and it’s no reason why Kelly is pumped for it. “It’s all about success and success of the organization,” Kelly said. “Hartnell will fall ten times (Laughing). I’m going with Browny to score the first goal (Dave Brown). It’s going to be fun.”
It’s people like Bill Meltzer why most fans will not forget their beloved players. Bill is always tweeting about the alumni or posting pictures and attributes on his Facebook page. As players leave, it becomes common to not think of them on a daily basis obviously, and that’s what Bill does a great job with, remembering the beloved players, “Bill has taken our alumni to another level,” Kelly said. “He’s taken on the Flyers Warrior, as well, we just won all three championships mind you. He has given our alumni exposure and he has brought us alive.”
Kelly is a class act that was born to be a hickey player, I mean he started playing hockey at a young age, “It wasn’t hard to find ice. Four-years-old started skating on the river with my mom and sister,” Kelly says. That’s the day another Flyers hockey legend was born.
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Flyers fans here is a link for ticket information (Tickets start at just $35), as well as, special VIP packages:
Fans can purchase their tickets NOW at www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com
Special VIP Packages include:
§ One Lower-Level seat
§ Happy Hour event with Alumni Game Participants
§ All-inclusive food and beverage
§ Limited-edition Hall of Fame puck autographed by Paul Holmgren
Lines and pairings below are courtesy of Bill Meltzer:
Team Holmgren:
10 John LeClair – 88 Eric Lindros – 19 Scott Mellanby
19 Scott Hartnell – 18 Adam Hall – 15 Joffrey Lupul
9 Scottie Upshall – 14 Ron Sutter – 21 Dave Brown
Extra: Todd Fedoruk
2 Mark Howe – 3 Dan McGillis
14 Joe Watson – 2 Derian Hatcher
42 Robert Esche
35 Neil Little
Team Tocchet:
12 Simon Gagne – 48 Danny Briere – 22 Mike Knuble
26 Brian Propp – 9 Pelle Eklund – 18 Lindsay Carson
87 Donald Brashear – 37 Mitch Lamoureux – 27 Reggie Leach
Extra: Riley Cote
6 Chris Therien – 28 Kjell Samuelsson
8 Brad Marsh – 55 Nick Schultz
56 Mike McKenna
