Photo Credit: Katelynn Reiss
Carter Hart is the future of the Flyers franchise, and he’s a rockstar in Philly. He is enduring a strong rebound season, even with the Flyers struggles. Goaltending is not a problem in 2022, and that is a beautiful thing.
This kid has electrified the fan base, and Hart cemented himself as the main guy between the pipes for the orange and black for the foreseeable future. All this by wearing a unique number…#79.
It’s also unique for a young man named Connor Parkkila. Parkkila has HFA (High-Functioning-Autism), and boy does he love Hart. Connor is a great young man, and he has developed a special bond with Hart that stems from Hart’s days with the Everett Silvertips. Parkkila wore a #79 jersey at a Silvertips game in 2016, and it wasn’t soon after the Flyers gave Hart a #79 jersey at Developmental Camp that Summer of 2016. Parkkila was the first person to wear a #79 jersey with Hart’s name on it, but in this case, it was a Silvertips jersey. The two have developed a special bond ever since.
Throughout the dark times of the season, Carter receives good vibes, and support from a person believe it or not he looks up to in Parkkila. The two share text messages, and Carter texts the Parkkila’s, April (Connor’s mom), Will (Connor’s dad), and Connor all the time. This hasn’t been the easiest season for Hart, but with the support of Hart’s family and the Parkkila’s it puts things into perspective they will always have his back. They just want Carter to know that they have Carter’s back no matter what through the good times and the bad. Maybe it’s because of the uncanting support he has received from the Parkkila’s in particular (I received permission from April Parkkila to use these photos):
This picture was taken last week by April when the Flyers visited the Seattle Kraken. The Parkkila’s are from around the area, and Hart was out due to covid protocol. Connor wanted to show support for Carter and Martin Jones, the Flyers back up that netminder.
Hart is a person unlike many athletes in Philadelphia. He will sign as many autographs as possible, give sticks to kids, meets and greets the hard-working fans of Philly, Hart just appears to be one of us. He will continue to have his ups and downs, Hart is only 23-years-old.
Some people said he wasn’t ready for the big show, while others thought he was. Hart was built for the NHL, and he really has showed fans throughout the sport why he was considered the savior of the franchise.
Through all of this Hart is built as advertised. Hart’s a fine young man, that has just been flat-out good during his time in the NHL. He has been everything and then some for the Flyers organization thus far. According to Hart (In an interview with me four years ago), the Flyers told him to become the best Goalie in the CHL. Well, he did just that as he was the CHL Goaltender of the year twice. He’s as classy as they come, and his good ole’ pal Connor Parkkila hopes to play hockey one day because of Hart.
The two shared text messages recently, and Connor sent Carter a card with an autism acceptance sticker in the card. Carter sent Connor a picture of the back of his helmet.
April later wrote on facebook, “Showing him he is ready for his game against Pittsburgh!! Connor and Carter now have matching stickers on their helmet. Carter, thank you for always supporting Connor!! 🖤🧡🖤🧡 #autismacceptance”
Our very own photographer Katelynn Reiss captured a shot of Carter Hart’s helmet when the Flyers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins this past Thursday, and she gave me permission to use this photo of Carter wearing the sticker on his helmet:
What a show of support from Carter to display Connor’s sticker on his helmet. The support these two give each other is great for a young goaltender in Parkkila. That’s right Connor is a goaltender and he will be equal to Hart in the future, as they have developed a tight bond with one another.
Flyers fans Hart is the real deal, never give up on him. Special thanks to April, Will, Connor Parkkila, and Katelynn Reiss for the support in this article.
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