Hockey legend Bernie Parent, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, died on Sunday at the age of 80 in his sleep.
The specific cause of his death has not been shared.
Just a couple of nights before his death, Parent attended a gathering with former teammates and fans. Even though he was dealing with back pain, he enjoyed the night with their fans, showcasing his trademark smile and humor. His teammate. Bob Watson expressed sadness over losing him so soon.
Parent is best known for leading the Philadelphia Flyers to their only Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975. He secured both titles by stopping all the shots in the final games against the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres. During his career, his exceptional skills were recognized with the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP and the Vezina Trophy for the NHL’s best goaltender. Bernie spent a significant part of his career playing with the Flyers, as well as having a short stint with the Philadelphia Blazers in another league.
Bernie Parent’s personal life included a marriage to Carol in the 1970s, which ended in divorce. He and his first wife had three children (a daughter and two sons). In July 2016, he married Gini Gramaglia, who often joined him at public events.
His daughter, Kim Parent, also made headlines by helping create the “Oskar Strong” t-shirts in support of Philadelphia Flyers player Oskar Lindblom during his battle with cancer. The shirts were a show of support from Flyers players and fans during Lindblom’s treatment for a rare form of cancer.
Parent’s playing career came to an unexpected end in 1979 when he was accidentally struck in the eye with a stick, leading to temporary blindness. Although he never played again, he retired with an impressive record of 271 career wins, most of which were with the Flyers. He was beloved in Philadelphia, famously known for the phrase, “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent.” The Flyers paid tribute to him by retiring his No. 1 jersey, and in 1984, he became the first player in franchise history to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He continued to be a key figure for the team, often attending events and engaging with fans.