Bobby Clarke facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bobby Clarke OC
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1987
Clarke in 2017
Born	(1949-08-13) August 13, 1949 (age 75) Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Philadelphia Flyers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	17th overall, 1969 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	1969–1984
Medal record Representing  Canada Ice hockey Canada Cup Gold 1976 Canada Ice Hockey World Championships Bronze 1982 Finland Ice Hockey

Robert Earle Clarke (born August 13, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a centre and played his entire 15-year career in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Philadelphia Flyers. Today, he is still an executive with the team.

Many people know him as Bobby Clarke from his playing days. He is thought to be one of the greatest hockey players and captains ever. He led the Flyers as captain from 1973 to 1979. During this time, they won the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975. He was also captain again from 1982 to 1984 before he retired.

Bobby Clarke won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times. This award goes to the league's most valuable player. In 1987, he was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

He had three seasons where he scored over 100 points. He also led the league in assists twice. He was chosen to play in nine NHL All-Star Games. In 1983, he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward.

After retiring in 1984, he became the general manager of the Flyers. He spent many years in this role. He also worked for the Minnesota North Stars and Florida Panthers. He helped his teams reach the Stanley Cup Finals several times.

One of the most famous hockey photos shows Bobby Clarke. He is smiling without his front teeth, holding the Stanley Cup. This picture was taken after the Flyers won in 1975.

Growing Up and Starting Hockey

Bobby Clarke's Bombers jersey on display at the 2007 Memorial Cup in Vancouver.

Bobby Clarke was born in a small mining town in Canada called Flin Flon. He started playing hockey when he was eight years old. When he was about 12 or 13, he found out he had type 1 diabetes.

Even with diabetes, he became a top young player for the Flin Flon Bombers. He led his league in scoring for three years in junior hockey. However, NHL teams worried his diabetes would stop him from playing professionally.

His coach, Pat Ginnell, took him to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Doctors there said he could play professionally if he took good care of himself. Coach Ginnell made sure NHL scouts saw this doctor's note.

Despite this, Bobby Clarke was not picked until the second round of the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft. The Philadelphia Flyers chose him 17th overall. Other teams, like the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens, tried to trade for him. But the Flyers kept him, knowing he was a special player.

Playing in the NHL

Clarke playing for Philadelphia Flyers in 1983

Bobby Clarke played his first NHL game on October 11, 1969. He wore jersey number 16. He scored his first goal on October 30 against the New York Rangers. In his first season, he played all 76 games. He scored 46 points and was chosen for the NHL All-Star Game. He was also named NHL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News.

In his second season (1970–71), he led the Flyers in scoring. He had 63 points. The Flyers made the playoffs, but lost in the first round.

At the start of the 1971–72 season, Bobby Clarke was not feeling well. He was underweight because of a tooth problem. But he recovered and played very well in the second half of the season. He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is for players who show great sportsmanship and dedication. The Flyers then signed him to a big contract.

Becoming a Captain and Winning Cups

A few months after playing great for Team Canada in the Summit Series, Bobby Clarke became the Flyers' captain. He was only 23 years old, the youngest captain in NHL history at that time. He led the Flyers, who were known as the "Broad Street Bullies." This nickname came from their tough and physical style of play.

In the 1972–73 season, he became the first player from an expansion team to score over 100 points. He had 104 points that season. The Flyers won their first playoff series. Bobby Clarke won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP. He also won the Lester B. Pearson Award, voted on by the players.

In the 1973–74 season, the Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They played against the Boston Bruins, who had the best record. After losing Game 1, Clarke scored a huge goal in overtime of Game 2. The Flyers went on to win three of the next four games. They became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup. Bobby Clarke was key in stopping the Bruins' star players.

The next season (1974–75), Bobby Clarke set an NHL record for assists by a centreman with 89. He had 116 points that season. The Flyers returned to the Stanley Cup Finals and beat the Buffalo Sabres. They won their second straight Stanley Cup. Clarke won his second Hart Trophy and was named to the league's First All-Star Team.

Later Career and Retirement

The 1975–76 season was another record-breaking year for Clarke. He played on a famous line with Reggie Leach and Bill Barber. This line scored 141 goals, a record for a single line. Clarke tied his assist record with 89 and set a personal best with 119 points. The Flyers made it to their third straight Finals, but lost to the Montreal Canadiens. Clarke won his third Hart Trophy.

His point totals dropped in the following seasons, but the Flyers remained a strong team. In 1979, he became an assistant coach while still playing. The Flyers had an amazing 35-game undefeated streak in the 1979–80 season. This is the longest streak in NHL history. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals again but lost to the New York Islanders.

Bobby Clarke was very tough and rarely missed games. In the 1981–82 season, he broke his foot, which limited him to 62 games. This was the only time he played fewer than 70 games in a season. He became captain again in 1982. On October 23, 1982, he played his 1,000th career game. He had a great season, scoring 85 points. He also won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward.

On May 15, 1984, Bobby Clarke retired as a player. He immediately became the general manager of the Flyers.

In 2017, Bobby Clarke played in the Flyers' 50th anniversary alumni game. He played with his old linemates, Bill Barber and Reggie Leach. He announced that this would be his last alumni game.

Playing for Canada

Bobby Clarke played for Team Canada three times.

• In 1972, he played a big part in Canada beating the Soviet Union in the Summit Series.
• In 1976, he was captain of the Canadian team that won gold at the 1976 Canada Cup.
• In 1982, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships.

He also helped the Flyers beat the Soviet Red Army team in 1976. After he stopped playing, he helped manage Team Canada for the Canada Cup in 1987 and 1991. He was also the general manager for Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

The Summit Series

Bobby Clarke was the last player chosen for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series. His line with Ron Ellis and Paul Henderson was one of Canada's best. Clarke scored two goals and four assists in the eight-game series. Canada won the series. Many people respected Clarke's play. He was in great shape because he always trained hard.

During the sixth game, there was a famous moment called "The Slash." Clarke hit Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov's ankle with his stick, breaking it. Kharlamov finished the game but was not as effective later. Years later, Clarke said he learned to play tough. Some people criticized the slash, but others said it was part of the intense competition.

Working as a Manager

After retiring as a player, Bobby Clarke became the Flyers' general manager. He held this job for six seasons. During this time, the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, in 1985 and 1987. In 1990, the Flyers missed the playoffs, and he was let go.

Clarke then became the general manager for the Minnesota North Stars. He spent two seasons there. The North Stars made a surprise run to the Finals in 1991.

He returned to the Flyers as a Senior Vice President in 1992. Then, he became the general manager for the new Florida Panthers team. The Panthers set a record for wins and points for an expansion team in 1993–94.

In 1994, he came back to the Flyers as general manager again. He helped rebuild the team into a contender. The team made the playoffs for 11 seasons in a row. They reached the Finals once in 1997. In 2006, he resigned, saying he felt tired. But he returned to the Flyers as Senior Vice President in December 2006.

Personal Life

Bobby Clarke and his family have lived in South Jersey for a long time. They have four children: sons Wade and Lucas, and daughters Jody and Jakki. They live in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

All-Star Games

Legacy and Honors

Clarke prepares for the ceremonial puck drop with Bobby Orr prior to the 2010 NHL Winter Classic.

On November 15, 1984, the Flyers held "Bobby Clarke Night." They retired his number 16 jersey, meaning no other Flyer will wear it. They also created the Bobby Clarke Trophy. This award is given each year to the Flyers' Most Valuable Player.

Three years later, Bobby Clarke was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1988, the Flyers started their own team Hall of Fame. Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent were the first two players inducted. He also played in the 2012 Winter Classic Alumni Game.

Besides his NHL honors, Clarke was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is a high honor in Canada. The trophy he won in junior hockey for being the top scorer was renamed the Bob Clarke Trophy. He has also been inducted into other halls of fame. These include the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Records

Bobby Clarke finished his career with many points and assists. He is still among the top players in NHL history for assists and points. His career plus-minus of +507 is one of the best ever. He also holds several Philadelphia Flyers records, including:

Awards

Clarke and Bernie Parent statue in South Philadelphia

See also

• List of NHL statistical leaders
• List of NHL players who spent their entire career with one franchise