Bernie Parent was my hero . . . . . he was amazing in their two Cup runs.
"Other teams have each line playing a different system depending on if they are a scoring or a checking line. On the Flyers, every line and player plays the same system whether the player is a superstar or one on the fourth line." - Fred Shero. He is widely credited with being one of the first coaches to implement a team-wide systems approach.
Shero's tactic against the Bruins in the Cup final, I believe, was unorthodox . . . . . throw the puck into Bobby Orr's corner, beat him to death with hits and force him to beat a couple of guys coming out. It worked.
I think I remember a story where the wives were going to kill him because he'd ordered the players not to have sex with them during the playoffs.
"Win today and we walk together forever," - Fred Shero to his team before a big game against Boston. One of the great quotes in NHL history.
They did seem like the first team to use intimidation as a systemic tactic - rather than a series of random events - and that in turn was mimicked widely by the mid-1970's, to the extent the NHLPA membership voted to demand owners implement the first version of the instigator rule, deliberately aimed at players accumulating large penalty minutes.
The Russians leaving the ice mid-game in about 1976 was an unforgetable moment, as was the call on HNIC. See it on You Tube somewhere.
Some Shero history:
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/hofprof.cgi?007
Cowperson
Broad Street Bullies - HBO Doc Tonight
Save the Corral!!
