Bernie Parent facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bernie Parent
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1984
Parent in 2023
Born	(1945-04-03) April 3, 1945 (age 80) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Boston Bruins Philadelphia Flyers Toronto Maple Leafs Philadelphia Blazers
Playing career	1965–1979

Bernard Marcel Parent (born April 3, 1945) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Bernie Parent played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played one season in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Many people consider Parent to be one of the greatest goalies ever.

During the 1973–74 and 1974–75 seasons, Parent had amazing performances. The Flyers won the Stanley Cup twice in a row. Parent also won the Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy in both seasons. He recorded 30 shutouts during this time. In 1984, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He is still a beloved player in Philadelphia. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

Bernie Parent's Early Life

Bernie Parent was the youngest of seven children. He grew up in Rosemont, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal. As a boy, Parent looked up to Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante. Plante's sister lived in Parent's neighborhood. Parent often watched for Plante's visits. Years later, Plante became Parent's teammate and mentor. This happened in 1971 when Plante was 43 years old.

Bernie Parent's Hockey Career

Starting in Junior Hockey

Parent began his career with the Niagara Falls Flyers. This was a junior league team. He won the Dave Pinkney Trophy twice. This award is for the lowest goals-against average (GAA). In 1965, his team won the OHA championship. They also won the Memorial Cup championship.

Playing in the NHL

Parent joined the Boston Bruins in the 1965–66 season. He played in 39 games that year. The next season, he split his time between Boston and their farm team.

In 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers chose Parent in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He and Doug Favell shared the goalie duties. Parent had a 2.48 GAA and four shutouts. The Flyers finished first in their division. Over the next two seasons, Parent became the Flyers' main goalie. He played in many games and had strong save percentages.

Moving to Toronto and Learning from a Hero

In 1971, Philadelphia traded Parent to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This trade was good for Parent. In Toronto, he joined his childhood hero, Jacques Plante. Plante was having a great season at 42 years old. Plante taught Parent to be a better and more consistent goalie. Parent played well for the Leafs. He gained important experience in regular season and playoff games.

Bernie Parent returning to the ice for the 2012 Winter Classic Alumni Game.

Briefly in the WHA and Return to Flyers

Parent signed a big contract with the Philadelphia Blazers in the new World Hockey Association. He was the first NHL player to join this league. He faced many shots in 63 games for the Blazers. After a contract disagreement, he wanted to return to the NHL. Toronto traded Parent's NHL rights back to the Flyers.

Winning the Stanley Cup with the Flyers

The next two seasons were the best of Parent's career. He had 30 shutouts in regular and post-season games. Many hockey experts say Parent's play from 1973 to 1975 was some of the best ever. In the 1973–74 season, Parent played 73 games. He led the league with a 1.89 GAA and 12 shutouts. He won the Vezina Trophy with Tony Esposito. He was also named a first-team all-star goalie. The Flyers won the Stanley Cup against the Boston Bruins. Parent won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

In the final game, Parent made a key save with less than 3 minutes left. This save helped preserve the shutout and the championship win. The next year, he had 12 more shutouts. He won another Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy. The Flyers won their second straight Stanley Cup. In both championship runs, Parent shut out the other team in the final game. A popular saying in Philadelphia was, "Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent."

Later Career and Injury

In 1975–76, Parent had a neck injury. He only played in 11 games. He returned later but could not regain his starting spot. The Flyers lost in the Stanley Cup finals that year. Over the next three seasons, Parent faced challenges. Hockey was changing to a more offense-focused game.

On February 17, 1979, Parent suffered a career-ending eye injury. A stick went through his mask and hit his right eye. This caused permanent vision damage. He retired at age 34. This incident led many goalies to use helmet and cage masks.

After Hockey

The #1 Flyers jersey worn by Bernie Parent in his last game on February 17, 1979

Parent in 2012

The Flyers retired Parent's jersey number (1) on October 11, 1979. He worked for the Flyers as a goaltending coach. He helped goalies like Ron Hextall and Pelle Lindbergh. Today, he is an Ambassador of Hockey for the Flyers. He often greets fans at home games.

Bernie Parent is still very popular with Flyers fans. Chants of "Bernie...Bernie...Bernie" can still be heard when he is recognized.

Parent was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him number 63 on their list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.

Parent has lived in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He also had a shore house in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. For part of the year, he lives on his yacht.

In 2011, Parent played in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game. He started in goal for the Flyers. He played five minutes and stopped all five shots. He was named the first star of the game.

Parent sometimes appears on podcasts and shows. He shares his passion for hockey and his wisdom.

Awards and Achievements

Parent and Bobby Clarke statue in South Philadelphia

• Memorial Cup championship in 1965.
• Selected to the WHA Second All-Star Team in 1973.
• Selected to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1974 and 1975.
• Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1974 and 1975.
• Vezina Trophy winner in 1974 and 1975.
• Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975.
• Played in the NHL All-Star Games in 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975, and 1977.
• Won the Class Guy Award in 1979.
• His #1 jersey was retired by the Philadelphia Flyers on October 11, 1979.
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.
• Ranked number 63 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players in 1998.
• Inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Parent co-authored a book called "Journey Through Risk and Fear." It talks about overcoming challenges and reaching goals.

Hockey Records

• Bernie Parent once held the record for most wins in a season (47). Martin Brodeur later broke this record in 2006–07 with 48 wins.
• Parent's 47-win season in 1973–74 is still the record for most wins in a single season without overtime or shootouts.
• Bernie was the fourth hockey player and third goalie to appear on the cover of Time magazine. This happened on February 24, 1975.

Career Statistics

Bolded numbers indicate league leader.

Regular Season and Playoffs