50 Years After Cup-Clinching Goal, Bob ‘The Hound’ Kelly Honored by Flyers

The back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975 for the Philadelphia Flyers can be summed up in the simple but poignant words of Fred Shero. 

“Win today and we walk together forever.” 

That was the message on the blackboard ahead of the Flyers first Stanley Cup win in 1974 against Boston. On Saturday, the man who scored the Cup-clinching goal in 1975, Bob ‘The Hound’ Kelly, was honored 50 years later, as he retires from his role as a team ambassador and staple of community relations for the franchise.

The Zack Hill Press Room was filled with members of that team still walking together forever, just moments before the current Flyers faced the Buffalo Sabres, the team Kelly scored against to win a Stanley Cup in 1975.

“It’s awesome to be here,” Kelly said. “I came through Buffalo my first time as a 19-year-old kid not knowing where Philadelphia was. It’s the best move we ever made, not only for the people, for the city, for the sports, but for everyone involved out there. It’s been a great experience with Mr. Snider with all the things he did. He allowed us to go out there and be ourselves and have fun and enjoy the people. That’s what I do is give back.”

Kelly, who spent 10 seasons with the Flyers as a player, also spent 22 years in various roles in community relations following his retirement. Most notably, Kelly visited schools on a regular basis and was present at every home game for the “Hometown Hero” presentation to local veterans honored for their service.

On Saturday, Kelly was the Hometown Hero, on the other end of a presentation he had made so many times before.

In a reception prior to Saturday’s game, several speakers acknowledged the impact that Kelly has had on the Flyers organization, including Flyers legend Bobby Clarke.

“Every year, the National Hockey League has one player who joins an exclusive club. That player is the player who scores the winning goal on the Stanley Cup champion of that year. It’s a very exclusive club. Not many get into it, but a lot have tried. But ‘The Hound’ is in that.” Clarke said. “‘The Hound’ and I sat together for 10 years in the home locker room, so you can guess my life wasn’t too boring.

‘The Hound was one of Freddy Shero’s favorites, like he was with a lot of people. You knew when ‘The Hound’ was around that something’s happening, or going to happen for sure. ‘The Hound’ had the unique ability to never question, but to work hard every single day, every practice, every game. He had that ability to work as hard as he could work. A lot of players don’t have that ability. And working hard doesn’t mean you’re going to be a better player, but it certainly means you’re a good team player. And all of us who played with ‘The Hound’ loved him on our team.”

“Bob has been an integral part of the Flyers organization for over five decades,” Comcast Spectacor President and CEO Dan Hilferty said. “First he was here as a player, where he helped bring us two Stanley Cups, and later as a leader in our community outreach efforts. His impact on and off the ice is immeasurable. Bob has been a pillar in the community and to the community.”

“His outgoing personality made him a perfect fit for that position,” Rob Baer, senior director of community relations and hockey development, said. “But less than a year after ‘Hound’ started with us, there was a work stoppage in the NHL, wiped out the entire 2004-05 season, and it was at that time that ‘Hound’ really expanded his role in the community. He truly became the face of the franchise that year, and he was hard at work every day, representing the Flyers, keeping our brand visible and front of mind during that lockout.”

Kelly noted that Ed Snider got him involved with the Flyers again after his playing days, and that once he was back, he just continued to try to make an impact one day at a time.

“I had a couple businesses going and then I get a phone call from Mr. Snider. He said ‘I want to see you on the floor at 9 a.m. You’ve got to be there right on time,” Kelly said. “They wanted me to do the same thing World B. Free does for the Sixers. That’s how I started. Just happy to be a part of it.”

In a room filled with pieces of the past, teammates and friends from 50 years of experience within the Flyers organization, Kelly reflected on how work ethic and the dedication of the fans were a great fit for him.

“We’re built on stories. That’s our legacy,” Kelly said. “You can joke all you want and do that, but when it’s time to play hockey and lace them up, you go out there and you play hard. I believe everything comes from within the locker room. It starts in there.

“We all kind of embraced that. That’s just the way we feel. Our players are all like that in the community. Everybody gets involved. It’s been a great situation here for us and my family. I’m proud to have the kind words that they spoke about me today. It’s really nice. But it really goes back to the fans, our fan base, and that you want to give them a product that they can be happy with.”

Clarke told a story about Kelly’s energy in Fred Shero’s practices, that Kelly did a drill with full speed and Shero quipped, “can you imagine that kid still has 50 years to live?” Five decades later, Kelly remains a staple of the Flyers organization. How does the 19-year-old kid who debuted with the Flyers in 1970 make it to this point?

“Day at a time. I never get too excited, too far ahead, too far behind,” Kelly said. “Traveling with our group of guys, it was just a lot of fun and a really good time. I enjoy the people, I enjoy the sports, I like the way people carry themselves, people are respectful here, it goes a long way with me.”