Post by joe (Simmer + CHI) on Feb 12, 2019 18:12:17 GMT
SPECIAL EDITION
Philadelphia Inquirer
June 11, 2024
Philadelphia, PA -- On a hot June day, nearly 1.75 million Flyers fans converged on Broad Street for something they have waited nearly 50 years for...a Stanley Cup for their beloved Flyers. Beginning at the Wells Fargo Center, where a large contingent of fans waited the arrival of their heroes, the scene was set perfectly.
One by one, the players arrived early in the morning after a long flight (and possibly evening) from Las Vegas, where they beat the Knights 4-1. A series that was so close in terms of the score, but the Flyers came out on top more often than not. "Sometimes that's puck luck, and we'll take it. But there were so many guys in that room who were the key to those victories. Vegas put up a heck of a fight, but we were lucky to come out on top -- it's what we have been building towards for the last 7 years" commented a tired but enthusiastic Fred Shero.
Indeed one of the names that will be chanted is that of Jonathan Toews, brought in to help stabilize the middle and be a strong two-way presence on the ice, and a major part of the locker room. But on fans minds today, it is his goal that brought them the cup. "I was a part of that Chicago team that took one away from Philly 14 years ago. In many ways, its poetic justice that I could contribute to bringing it back here today" he said. While a question was posed about his future -- its no secret he's thought about retiring, and the Flyers have thought about their cap issues -- he wouldn't comment on it. "Today is about this team and this city. Winning has such a euphoric feeling and I want to celebrate with our fans and my teammates. That's all for today."
Also up in the air is the status of Claude Giroux. We know Wayne Simmonds has committed to retirement regardless of outcome, and put yeoman's work in his final series as a Philadelphia Flyer. But Giroux almost echoed the same comments as Toews -- "Today is for Philly. That's all that's on my mind!" said the clearly hungover captain.
More questions than answers dog the Flyers even on this euphoric day, but for now, the parade route makes its way up North Broad to City Hall, circling past Love Park and up the Ben Franklin Parkway, where it will end at the Art Museum. Scheduled to speak are GM Joe Papp, Head Coach Ray Shero, and all 21 players including newcomer Pasi Kelander, who played in 5 games while Sean Couturier was out injured.
"The fans deserve this and so do the players -- thinking back at who was here from the getgo, Giroux, Hart, Simmonds, Patrick, Couturier, Provorov, and even Gudas...those guys have been building to this for seven years. We set out then to become a perennial Cup contender, and its been tough. We've had to let guys go who were a part of it because of the salary cap, and that's the toughest thing to do. I think the difference in this team from last, and really its a credit to Coach Shero, is that they played the game a certain way that made every guy accountable. Yes, we had an OK regular season and arguably one of the toughest schedules, but these guys came through. They fought for every point and that experience and mindset parlayed into a tough playoff run. Every team kept us close, but credit these guys for persevering and getting us that Cup!" shouted the elated GM, Joe Papp.
Philadelphia Inquirer
June 11, 2024
Philadelphia, PA -- On a hot June day, nearly 1.75 million Flyers fans converged on Broad Street for something they have waited nearly 50 years for...a Stanley Cup for their beloved Flyers. Beginning at the Wells Fargo Center, where a large contingent of fans waited the arrival of their heroes, the scene was set perfectly.
One by one, the players arrived early in the morning after a long flight (and possibly evening) from Las Vegas, where they beat the Knights 4-1. A series that was so close in terms of the score, but the Flyers came out on top more often than not. "Sometimes that's puck luck, and we'll take it. But there were so many guys in that room who were the key to those victories. Vegas put up a heck of a fight, but we were lucky to come out on top -- it's what we have been building towards for the last 7 years" commented a tired but enthusiastic Fred Shero.
Indeed one of the names that will be chanted is that of Jonathan Toews, brought in to help stabilize the middle and be a strong two-way presence on the ice, and a major part of the locker room. But on fans minds today, it is his goal that brought them the cup. "I was a part of that Chicago team that took one away from Philly 14 years ago. In many ways, its poetic justice that I could contribute to bringing it back here today" he said. While a question was posed about his future -- its no secret he's thought about retiring, and the Flyers have thought about their cap issues -- he wouldn't comment on it. "Today is about this team and this city. Winning has such a euphoric feeling and I want to celebrate with our fans and my teammates. That's all for today."
Also up in the air is the status of Claude Giroux. We know Wayne Simmonds has committed to retirement regardless of outcome, and put yeoman's work in his final series as a Philadelphia Flyer. But Giroux almost echoed the same comments as Toews -- "Today is for Philly. That's all that's on my mind!" said the clearly hungover captain.
More questions than answers dog the Flyers even on this euphoric day, but for now, the parade route makes its way up North Broad to City Hall, circling past Love Park and up the Ben Franklin Parkway, where it will end at the Art Museum. Scheduled to speak are GM Joe Papp, Head Coach Ray Shero, and all 21 players including newcomer Pasi Kelander, who played in 5 games while Sean Couturier was out injured.
"The fans deserve this and so do the players -- thinking back at who was here from the getgo, Giroux, Hart, Simmonds, Patrick, Couturier, Provorov, and even Gudas...those guys have been building to this for seven years. We set out then to become a perennial Cup contender, and its been tough. We've had to let guys go who were a part of it because of the salary cap, and that's the toughest thing to do. I think the difference in this team from last, and really its a credit to Coach Shero, is that they played the game a certain way that made every guy accountable. Yes, we had an OK regular season and arguably one of the toughest schedules, but these guys came through. They fought for every point and that experience and mindset parlayed into a tough playoff run. Every team kept us close, but credit these guys for persevering and getting us that Cup!" shouted the elated GM, Joe Papp.