Today In Flyers History: Bobby Clarke becomes a Flyer

It was on this fateful day in 1969 that Bobby Clarke was drafted to the Philadelphia Flyers.

A 19-year-old out of Flin Flon, Manitoba, Bobby Clarke was taken in the second round by the Flyers during the 1969 NHL Draft. The 137-point scorer likely should’ve gone higher in the draft.

But when he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes as a teenager, teams turned away from him. They feared he would not be able to play in the NHL. And the Flyers were actually one of those teams who felt that way. It was Gerry Melnyk who was able to convince the team.

Melnyk was a scout and administrative assistant for the team. He wanted the Flyers to use their first round pick on Clarke. Instead, the team drafted Bob Currier. Melnyk took matters into his own hands and got a Philadelphia doctor to assure them that Clarke would be fine as long as he took care of himself.

Melnyk was finally able to convince general manager Bud Polie to draft the budding star. And it would turn out to be one of the best things the Flyers would do.

Clarke would make his debut for the team a few months later. A strong rookie season earned him a spot on the NHL All-Star team. He finished fourth in Calder voting but was named the Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News.

He would lead the team in scoring the following season, posting an impressive 63 points. His confidence would only grow from there. Despite a tooth abscess slowing down the beginning of the 1971-72 season, Clarke piled on the points over the 47 finals games.

Just 16 points in the first 31 games, he finished that season with 31 goals and 81 points. Clark was rewarded with the Masterton Trophy and a new five-year contract from the Flyers.

Clarke would help the Flyers reach the ultimate summit in the NHL. Before that, he would end up scoring 104 points as the youngest captain for the Flyers. Clarke became the first player from an expansion team to score 100 points in a season.

Despite his production falling the following season, he still posted 87 points during the 1973-74 season. But his leadership on and off the ice helped lead the team to the second best record in the league. It helped also having Bernie Parent between the pipes.

They would end up making it to the Finals and taking on the team with the best record in the league, the Boston Bruins. After losing the first game, Clarke would score the biggest goal of his young career in overtime of Game 2. Winning three of the next four games, the Flyers would lift the cup for the first time.

Clarke would yet again play a huge role in the team winning the Stanley Cup the following season as well. During a 116-point season, Clarke had the most assists ever by a center (89). And that wouldn’t even be his best season in the NHL.

He was somehow even better the following year. Playing on the LCB line with Reggie Leach and Bill Barber, Clarke posted a career-high 119 points. The trio scored a combined 141 goals. Making it to the Finals for the third season in the row, the Flyers would end up being swept by the Canadiens.

That was the height of his career as he point totals began to slip after that. But he was still an integral part of the Flyers organization. His 1000th career point came during the 1980-81 season. And it turned out to be one of the most iconic Flyers moments.

Covered in blood after being hit with a Leech slap shot, Clarke would score 31 seconds into the third period.

Clarke spent his entire career in the Flyers organization. He posted 358 goals and 1,210 points. He collected 20+ goals in eight of his first nine seasons. Clarke posted 100+ points three separate seasons.

Clarke leads the Flyers organization in categories such games played (1144), points (1,210), assists (852) and short handed goals (32).

Spending time as the team’s general manager, Clarke led the Flyers to the Cup Finals in 1985 and 1987. He is currently serving as the team’s Senior Advisor.

Clarke will go down as one of the best players to ever suit up for the Philadelphia Flyers organization.