As 2014 draws to a close, it is time to take one last look at the Philadelphia Flyers family members we lost this year. This year saw the passing of Keith Allen, Ross Lonsberry and Pat Quinn. In this segment we will take that last look at the fallen men who were apart of our history.
Keith Allen
If Ed Snider is the father of Philadelphia hockey, Keith Allen is the oldest son. Allen was the first head coach in team history, leading the team to a division title in the inagural season. He would coach the team for two seasons going 51-67-33.
Following the 1968-69 season, Allen became the General Manager. It was here where he would forever take his place in Flyers history. Allen was the architect of the "Broad Street Bullies" teams that won back to back Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975.
He woul also serve as the teams executive vice president. Allen was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame as a builder in 1992.
Allen passed away on February 4th at the age of 90.
Ross Lonsberry
Ross Lonsberry was acquired during the 1971 -72 season in what was then a record seven player trade with the Los Angeles Kings. Lonsberry would spend the next six and a half seasons wearing orange and black.
Lonsberry was put on a line with Rick MacLeish and Gary Dornhoefer giving the Flyers a secondary scoring punch. His best goal scoring season came in 1974 as he set a personal best 32 goals. He would add an additional 13 points in 17 playoff games, helping the Flyers to win their first Stanley Cup.
Lonsberry set a career high in points during the 1976-77 season scoring 55. In all, Lonsberry topped the 20 goal mark in 3 of his 6 full years in Philadelphia. Lonsberry was traded to Pittsburgh in 1978 where he would play 3 seasons with the Penguins. He retired following the 1981 season.
Ross Lonsberry passed on May 4th after a battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.
Pat Quinn
Quinn came to the organization at the start of the 1977 season. He was named as an assistant coach to Fred Shero. Following the 1977 season he was named the head coach of the Maine Mariners, the Flyers AHL affiliate.
Before the end of the 1978 season, Quinn and Flyers coach Bob McCammon would switch roles making Quin the head coach of the big club. Quinn had his greatest success in his first full season as the Flyers bench boss in 1979-80.
It was during this season the Flyers would go on the "Streak". The team would embark on a 35 game unbeaten streak. The 35 games is still the record for the longest unbeaten streak in professional sports history. The Flyers went 25-0-10 over the 35 games.
Philadelphia would make another appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals following the 1979-80 season, falling in six games to the New York Islanders. Quinn won the Jack Adams award as coach of the year that season.
Quinn would go on to coach the team for two more full seasons. He returned to coach the Flyers to coach the Alumni team during the 2012 Winter Classic Alumni game against the Rangers. Quinn passed away on November 23rd after a long illness. He was 71 years old.
As we get set to celebrate a new year, let us never forget the past and those who have made the Flyers one of the most successful expansion franchises in NHL history. These three men may no longer be here but they will never be forgotten.
Bill Minchin is contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
