Bernie Parent, the legendary Flyers Goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer who backstopped the team to Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975, passed away on September 21, 2025, at the age of 80. Parent’s iconic white mask and unflappable style earned him the nickname “Only the Lord Saves More Than Bernie Parent,” a phrase immortalized on bumper stickers across Philadelphia during the Broad Street Bullies era.
In the wake of this loss, Flyers’ Head Coach Rick Tocchet—himself a Flyers Hall of Famer who played 11 seasons with the team across two stints—delivered an emotional tribute during a press conference at the team’s New Jersey practice facility ahead of their preseason opener against the New York Islanders.
Tocchet, who joined the Flyers in 1984 shortly after Parent’s retirement, fought back tears while reflecting on Parent’s profound impact both as a player and as a lifelong ambassador for the organization. Tocchet described Parent as a cornerstone of the Flyers’ storied history and a personal mentor during his early career.
“That (Stanley Cup) group was very close, and Bernie was kind of the glue,” Tocchet said yesterday after wiping away tears. “He’s been here. He does charities, million charities, spends a lot of time, and represents the Flyers… It’s a family. Bernie’s been part of Flyers for years.”
Tocchet continues, “When he would come in, he’d just break the room up. He really helped me out when it came to that. One of the nicest guys that helped my career. So tough one. I wish I saw him, but anyways, great guy.”
Tocchet’s comments underscore Parent’s legacy beyond the ice: a “lovable guy” with a “great sense of humor” who remained deeply connected to the Flyers family until the end.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman echoed this sentiment, calling Parent’s mask “the last sight you wanted to see if you were an opposing shooter” but his welcoming face “the first you wanted to see when you walked into a room.”
The Flyers organization released a statement mourning Parent as “a true legend, one of the most famous and beloved players, and most popular figures in the history of the organization and city of Philadelphia.”
Tributes poured in from across the hockey world, reflecting on his two Conn Smythe Trophies, his No. 1 jersey retirement in 1979, and his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1984. A recent public appearance in Delaware, where fans clamored to see his Stanley Cup rings, exemplified his enduring popularity.
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