tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post115145675087376338..comments2024-01-31T06:25:40.490-08:00Comments on Philadelphia Flyers Legends: Dave "The Hammer" SchultzJoe Pelletierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01906327400250923397noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-47585443043454738372012-01-01T16:54:03.306-08:002012-01-01T16:54:03.306-08:00He was a product of his surroundings.A talented pl...He was a product of his surroundings.A talented player that was encouraged to fight to get to the big leagues.Suddenly having a ton of money,the crowd,groupies.etc....It was easy to get caught up in the madness and success.Plus the fact there were noboby wearing helmets like today.The players were charachters Droopy Fu-Manchu moustaches.long hair,poofy perms.And just about every team had at least a couple of wildmen.They were larger-than-life. like the villians in pro wrestlingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-74588237492056985712011-09-23T07:32:26.349-07:002011-09-23T07:32:26.349-07:00There’s no question that Schultz and the Flyers ha...There’s no question that Schultz and the Flyers had a profound effect--for better or for worse--on the way hockey was played.<br /><br />To back up a step, there were plenty of tough teams in hockey prior to the emergence of the “Broad Street Bullies.” The Maple Leafs and Red Wings waged some epic battles during the late 1940s and early 50s. Boston’s “Big, Bad Bruins” bludgeoned their way to the Stanley Cup in 1970. St. Louis made a living out of pounding their weaker expansion brethren.<br /><br />Still, I don’t think there ever was a more intimidating team in their time than the 1972-73 Flyers. During an era when most teams carried one or two “policemen,” tops, Philly boasted no fewer than four sluggers--Schultz, Bob “Hound” Kelly, Andre “Moose” Dupont, and Don “Big Bird” Saleski--who topped 200 penalty minutes. In addition, second-tier toughies Barry Ashbee, Gary Dornhoefer, Ross Lonsberry, and Ed Van Impe employed a roughhouse style.<br /><br />What made the Flyers so scary was the way they went about their business. They would target an opponent’s best players for abuse and dare them to do something about it. If an opposing tough guy didn’t come to a teammate’s aid, his club was virtually emasculated. And if he did respond, most of the time he was overwhelmed by Schultz and his cohorts. Either way, the Flyers gained a huge physical and psychological edge. Opposing teams literally tiptoed around the Spectrum on egg shells.<br /><br />Naturally, other clubs were compelled to emulate the Flyers, leading to an NHL arms race that escalated for two decades. While the muscle-building spree may have detracted from the sport from an artistic standpoint, there’s little doubt it peaked interest at the box office. Fans turned out in droves to see Schultz and his fellow “Mad Squaders” get their just rewards.<br /><br />“The rinks were electric back then,” noted one old-time observer.Rick Bukernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-26320826059985115852011-07-03T19:58:56.797-07:002011-07-03T19:58:56.797-07:00The only reason Schultz scored 20 goals that seaso...The only reason Schultz scored 20 goals that season was because opposing players were afraid to go near him. I remember poor John Van Boxmeer making that mistake as a rookie.<br /><br />What he did to the sport of hockey can never be forgiven.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-74042492641163906602010-12-01T21:03:48.903-08:002010-12-01T21:03:48.903-08:00I don't recognize the NHL today. I played thi...I don't recognize the NHL today. I played this game for 15 years and loved it. I watch it now and I just wretch.<br />People blame the Flyers, they blame the 70's they LOVE to blame Dave Schultz. The fact is .... people a fucking stupid.<br />I see more vicious cheapshots now than I ever did, hits from behind and reckless headhunting. Why? They've made it HARD for a guy to protect his teamates. <br /><br />So get off your high horse. Dave Schultz and the Flyers did not put a black mark on hockey. Are you going to honestly sit there and belive that? Are you sure your name isn't Howie Meeker? I have news for you, Fans LOVE fights, they get up and out of their seats when they happen and they love it! And having a guy on your team that will go out there and make you pay if you try to play like a rat is worth every penny they pay him. Those guys have a brutal and unforgiving job. <br /><br />gonna sit there and tell us that The Broadstreet Bullies have ruined hockey?? What have you been watching for the last 37 years?<br /><br />Yeah...thought so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-65999603761429175092010-05-24T09:53:40.771-07:002010-05-24T09:53:40.771-07:00NY Times: Review
What had previously been conside...NY Times: Review<br /><br />What had previously been considered an exciting team sport that blended high speed, great skill, a good amount of body contact, competitive flow and the periodic dust-up became the butt of jokes and easily dismissed. Games delayed by nonstop brawling dragged on interminably, turning off viewers and angering network TV affiliates. The U.S. broadcast networks soon jettisoned hockey, and the league went almost two decades without a major TV contract.<br /><br />Hockey had a chance to explode in the United States, but it imploded instead, and it can be argued that what the Flyers began damaged the sport to such an extent that the game has really never fully recovered in the image department.<br /><br />These are bigger themes than the HBO film takes on. They are probably less cinematic, harder and far more complex to communicate. Consequently, HBO has transformed the Flyers’ story into an attractive, more narrowly focused feel-good story about a bunch of guys who went out and played for themselves and their fans, and what the rest of the world thought was and remains inconsequential.<br /><br />But for those whose view and love for game extends beyond this one particular team, that’s not the complete story.<br /><br /><br />So what's left after this whole thing? well, an NHL still affected by it and some old men hated by 100million people. Ya, nice legacy.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15013647065844534671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-81480223012754032222010-03-25T11:25:45.551-07:002010-03-25T11:25:45.551-07:00Some of the goohs fought there way threw the NHL, ...Some of the goohs fought there way threw the NHL, but those were the days. Shawn Thornton, of the Bruins now is Bostons bull day.Supermanredblue@aol.comhttp://www.blogger.com/comment donoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-13036992671332195762010-03-02T09:37:40.648-08:002010-03-02T09:37:40.648-08:00I'm just glad that Dave was able to accept his...I'm just glad that Dave was able to accept his role and adjust to it positively unlike John Kordic who couldn't and ultimately passed away dealing with the problems caused by it...that was terribly sad..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-29130351470628526272007-08-26T22:49:00.000-07:002007-08-26T22:49:00.000-07:00In case no one has noticed: THE FLYERS HAVEN'T WON...In case no one has noticed: THE FLYERS HAVEN'T WON DIDDLY SINCE THEY TRADED DAVE SCHULTZ!! He did exactly what he was paid to do: be a bully. Not many people noticed that he really could play hockey. I loved him 30 years ago and I love him now!! Go, Dave!! Yeah Hammer!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28365363.post-29938127983174516892007-08-26T22:47:00.000-07:002007-08-26T22:47:00.000-07:00In case no one has noticed: THE FLYERS HAVEN'T WON...In case no one has noticed: THE FLYERS HAVEN'T WON DIDDLY SINCE THEY TRADED DAVE SCHULTZ!! He did exactly what he was paid to do: be a bully. Not many people noticed that he really could play hockey. I loved him 30 years ago and I love him now!! Go, Dave!! Yeah Hammer!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com