The Puck, the Official Publication of the Philadelphia Flyers Fan Club

Hi Everyone,

Been on a recent Flyers road trip? Attend the latest PFFC club gathering? Have a hockey experience you’d like to share with other fans? We would love to hear from you!

The Puck is the official newsletter of the Philadelphia Flyers Fan Club, published nine times a year. You can submit your articles (and photos) to: Lois Witulski, c/o PFFC, 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148 or email to: lwitulski@verizon.net .

Below are just a few articles from recent issues of the Puck. Enjoy and Go Flyers!!

Thank you,
Lois Witulski,
Puck Editor

Please note: All materials sent for publication are subject to approval. We reserve the right to edit any portion of any article to better suit the needs of this publication. Articles printed strictly represent the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Philadelphia Flyers, its Fan Club or the editor of this newsletter.

Was that a Dream? by Lois Witulski

What began as a glimmer of hope way back in July became a reality on New Year’s Eve 2009.  Over 100 PFFC members from Philadelphia and beyond made their way to Boston by bus, car, train & plane to see the Flyers vs. Bruins in the NHL Annual Winter Classic game.  And I was lucky enough to be one of them!! 

I can talk about all of the fun things we did:  a delicious New Year’s Eve dinner, watching the ball drop at midnight while toasting the New Year and an evening out after the game in which approximately 50 members got together for dinner.  But the real focus should be on the experience of the game so here goes... 

Mother Nature was kind and after many forecasts of rain & snow, we woke up on game day to dry skies and relatively mild temperatures.  I bundled up anyway (better to be safe than sorry) with at least five layers on most of my body, not to mention blankets, extra gloves, hat & ear muffs, etc.  Next, we hopped a cab to the game – I’m really starting to get excited now.  Am I dreaming???

It is hard to explain the feeling upon arriving at Fenway, the closest I could compare it to would be Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997.  Flyers fans, Bruins fans, everyone was pumped up and raring to go.  We entered Fenway around noon, a pretty cool experience in itself - the old ballpark gives you the feeling of stepping back in time.  Our seats were in section 41 in right field, certainly not the best but at least we were there… 

After the warm up, pregame festivities began highlighted with the singing of the Canadian & United States National Anthems, Bobby Clarke & Bobby Orr taking part in the ceremonial puck drop and a Stealth Bomber flyover that literally shook the building.  As for the game, I must admit I really couldn’t see much of the play on the ice but it didn’t matter, just being there was enough for me.  Fans were on their feet from beginning to end, “Let’s Go Flyers” chants alternating with “Let’s Go Bruins” chants throughout.  There was the occasional “E-A-G-L-E-S” chant, several “Yankees Suck” chants (something that fans from both teams agreed on) and the singing of “Sweet Caroline” (a Red Sox tradition, I’m told).  It was one big party in the stands with lots of good-natured banter, an electric atmosphere with everyone having an all-out great time.  I watched, listened and cheered for my Flyers, just taking the whole scene in.  As I’m sure you know, the Flyers played tough and held a 1-0 lead for most of the game but caught a few bad breaks at the end of the third, paving the way to a Boston victory in overtime.  Despite the loss at least the Flyers grabbed a much needed point.  It was an unbelievable day, a great weekend and a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.  I guess I wasn’t dreaming after all -
I was there!!

Westward Bound (or Did we start it all"??) by Lou Milano

When peeking at the schedule in mid-July, the guy that sits next to me (pity poor Bruce Rizzo, who has the pleasure of me burping in his face, stepping on his toes every game, etc.) suggested that the games in San Jose and Phoenix looked interesting so we investigated, booked and off we were.  A few weeks into the season Denise and Craig Cimino decided to join in the fun.  So, it's 11/19/09 and we're ready to depart for the West Coast and...

This was the day the FAA had issues with their booking systems so flights were cancelled, delayed etc.  The four of us were flying to San Jose via Denver (with only a 1/2 hour layover) so the connection would be close.  Our flight was scheduled to depart at 4:40 PM ET.  At approximately 3:30 PM, we discovered the flight to Denver was cancelled.  However, by the time we arrived at the airport Denise Cimino (who was playing mom, great friend, all around planner...) had booked the four of us through Las Vegas and even though this flight was delayed we were able to make our connection (Denise wished we had STAYED, but this is another story...) with us arriving in San Jose an hour early.  As soon as we arrived, my friend Jim Walsh picked us up, transported us to our hotel and took us to a Brew House called BJ's where we ate, drank and had a great time.  I'm still impressed Jim was able to get most of the ice cream dessert home without it melting!  Many thanks to him for making our stay in San Jose great (despite the game) and for arranging the tickets. 

Friday, 11/20/09:  After breakfast in the hotel, the four of us just lounged in the lobby and "hanged".  Around 1 PM we decided to drag our lazy … to the Oakridge Mall where we had lunch as we browsed through the Mall, through the sports shops, etc.  I bought a SF Giants ski cap (hey, you get the chance to purchase something black & orange...).  Then, we noticed a furniture store called (believe it or not) MILANO'S where I noticed a burnt orange lounge chair.  Hmmm, but when I saw the shipping charge was sky high I decided to pass.  However, there's another store in Central NJ so...stay tuned.  Later that day, Jim picked us up and we were off to the game where we met up with some old friends who usually attend the NHLBC Convention (by the way, this is where we meet most of the people from other cities--you MUST attend one!!).  The game was strange to say, and the Flyers hung in until close to the end of the game.  Most of you remember the final score so I won't rehash.  After the game, Jim and some of his buds took us to a pizza place where we mingled and had a great time (the pizza wasn't bad either...).  Just FYI, this is what we do when other clubs visit.  The next time a visiting Booster Club travels here, join us in the gathering.  We had to break up the party around midnight due to our 5 AM wakeup call for our 7 AM flight to Phoenix the next morning. 

Saturday 11/20/09: Our flight to Phoenix was unusually uneventful (I say this ‘cause there have been issues on the last few air trips--not to mention 11/19) and we arrived on time.  After arriving at the hotel, we ate lunch at Margaritaville outside Jobing.Com Arena.  By the way, the
scene outside Jobing.Com Arena is so cool, in my mind the Coyotes can't leave the area.  There's a McFadden's, Brewpub and many other local establishments that are located footsteps (yes, even in Lou terms) from the arena.  If our Philly Live is anything like this, we're in for a treat!!  After this came the family reunions; Craig Cimino with his cousins (Harry, Rae Ann) and me with mine (Nick, Judy and Chuck) who have relocated to Arizona.  It was especially funny that my cousins were wearing hats and sweaters despite the 65 degree+ weather, while I was in shorts!!  It was totally cool that everyone, including our families and PFFC Member Nick Semkiw, were able to attend the game.  The game was, well sucky, but we had a great time despite the outcome.  I enjoyed hearing the AWWWWWWOOOLL from various spots inside the arena.  Afterwards we hung out with all the families and friends from Phoenix (say hey Sherry, Josh, Christy and Joe).  Everyone had a great time.  By the way, just like our San Jose friends, these are also people who we’ve met at the NHLBC Convention.  You should plan on coming this summer (2nd weekend of August, hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins Booster Club).  Special thanks to Sherry for arranging the tickets. 

Sunday, 11/21/09:  It was time for Bruce and me fly home, while the Cimino's and their cousins soaked up another day in the desert...  Even though the Flyers left these two games with ZERO points, we had a great time.  But, we can't help wonder if this was the start of the slide??
Hopefully things are better now--I write this on 12/24 after a 5-2 win at Tampa last night... we'll know by the time you read this.  I hope you all had a great holiday and hopefully we saw you
at the Winter Classic.  Next up, Minnesota!!!  See you there...

Scott Hartnell Visits the PFFC by Lois Witulski

Flyers forward Scott Hartnell stopped by the Wachovia Center during our September meeting for a visit with the PFFC.

Scott Hartnell was the 2008-09 recipient of the PFFC’s Annual Gene Hart Memorial Award
       for “player with the most heart”. 

Scott was very appreciative of receiving this award.  He told the club that his teammates deserved the award too.  He graciously accepted a check from the PFFC to be given to the charity of his choice, which he donated to the ASPCA. 
 

The PFFC thanks Scott for taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit with us.

Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Chris Pronger!  by Maureen Fisher

On June 27, Draft Day 2009, Mr. Paul Holmgren again surprised Flyer fans by negotiating a deal with the Anaheim Ducks to acquire the rights to Chris Pronger by trading Joffrey Lupul and Luca Sbisa, two first round draft picks and a conditional third round draft pick.  As my family and friends know, I have been a fan of Chris Pronger for many years.  It will be nice having him back in the Eastern Conference since the Western Conference only plays here every few years.  I was having dinner with my husband Joe when I received a call from my nephew Jimmy Schickling, informing me of the deal. He knew I would be excited about Chris coming to play in Philadelphia.  In April of 2009, Joe and I traveled for my birthday to Anaheim to watch the Ducks play their last home game of the season.  It was fan appreciation night so there were a lot of exciting things going on.  While I will miss Joffrey Lupul and especially Luca Sbisa, who was kind enough to spend some time with the Flyers Fan Club at a meeting last year, I am truly excited by this trade.

Chris Pronger has an exceptional resume.  He was drafted 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers on June 26, 1993.  On July 27th, 1995 he was traded to the St. Louis Blues for Brendan Shanahan.  While with the Blues, in 2000 Chris was awarded both the Norris Trophy for the NHL Best Defenseman and the Hart Trophy for NHL MVP.  The only other defenseman to receive the MVP award was the great Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins in 1972. On August 23, 2005 after the NHL lockout, he was traded from the Blues to the Edmonton Oilers for 3 players.  On June 5, 2006 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Chris became the first player in NHL history to score a penalty shot goal in a Stanley Cup Final game.  The Oilers eventually lost in game seven.  The next month on July 3rd Chris was traded to the Anaheim Ducks after asking the Oilers to trade him.  Ironically Chris was traded for Joffrey Lupul, a prospect, a 2007 first round draft pick and a conditional first round draft pick and Anaheim’s 2008 second round pick.  Chris and the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007 the year after losing game 7 with the Oilers.  Chris is also a member of the Triple Gold Club having won an Olympic Games gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Stanley Cup.  Chris has played in five All Star Games.

Chris plays a strong, physical game and can be a scoring threat especially on the power play.  He also brings veteran leadership to the team.  He was captain of the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks as well as rotating alternate captain with the Edmonton Oilers.  It will be a great year watching Chris “handle” Sidney Crosby and the rest of the teams who try to camp in front of our net.  He has already made a difference in the first two games of this season.  He will log lots of ice time.  Mr. Holmgren signed him to a seven year contract extension that will most likely be the last of his career since Chris will have celebrated his 35th birthday on October 10th versus his old team the Anaheim Ducks.  Chris seems to be extremely fan friendly and has a great personality that comes through in his interviews.  He and his family are very generous to charities. Hopefully Chris will lead the Flyers to hoisting the Stanley Cup very soon.  I’m saving my seat on Broad Street. 

I hope all Philadelphia Flyers fans roll out the Welcome Mat for the future NHL Hall of Famer Chris and his family!

Milano Mug Returns to its Origins by Palma Maglio

Depending on who you talk to, the 13th PFFC bowling league was either lucky or a disaster.     After two years of coming “this close” to being champion, PFFC President Joe Fisher & teammate Shawn Frizzle from the “Tattooed Bowlers”, finally avoided the last week choke by clinching 1st place with three weeks to go The roster also included Joe Perez & for a short time, Ashley Concilio.   Second place went to the “Annihilators” - Maureen Fisher, Greg Regan and Harry Regan.  Since the big money was already gone, this was the only contested prize.  I believe it came down to the wire, but don’t quote me.         The “Meerkats” - Alan Ellis, Logan Moore, Barb Regan and Mary Rose Pangburn took the final prize.  Well, at least third place money is better than nada.     On the flip side, after two years of finishing “in the money”, PFFC VP Lou Milano’s team “clinched” the Milano Mug, also with three weeks to go.  That left the rest of us near the bottom of the standings celebrating three weeks of being “mug proof”, a definite relief for my Captain-O-Captain Stacey Squilla, a four time mug “winner”   This was kind of a lost year, with a lot of injuries and drop outs, but all in all most had a good time.  The summer league is a great way to keep in touch with fellow PFFC-ers during the summer and new blood is ALWAYS welcome… Think about it next year…Hopefully after a parade down Broad Street.

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