The 1971–72

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

season was the Philadelphia Flyers' fifth

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). The Flyers missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Off-season

The Flyers fired head coach

Vic Stasiuk Victor John Stasiuk (May 23, 1929 – May 7, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach. He played in the National Hockey League from 1949 to 1963 and then served as a coach from 1969 to 1973. Biography Stasiuk played juni ...

on May 27, 1971, after heavy criticism by Flyers players. On June 2, the Flyers hired

Fred Shero Frederick Alexander Shero (October 23, 1925November 24, 1990) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, coach, and general manager. Nicknamed The Fog, he played for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), but spent most ...

to replace him. In the previous two seasons Shero had guided two teams to league championships, the

Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...

of the

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...

and the

Omaha Knights Omaha Knights may refer to: * Omaha Knights (AHA) an ice hockey team that played from (1939–1942) in the American Hockey Association and from (1945–1951) in the United States Hockey League * Omaha Knights (IHL) an ice hockey team that played ...

of the

Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League (CHL) was a North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league which operated from 1992 until 2014. It was founded by Ray Miron and Bill Levins and later sold to Global Entertainment Corporation, which opera ...

Regular season

Bobby Clarke Robert Earle Clarke (born August 13, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire 15-year National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team. Popular ...

continued to progress as he led the team in goals (35), assists (46), and points (81) in 1971–72 and he became the first Flyer to win an NHL award, the

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL ...

for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. However, in the season's final game, the Flyers needed a win or a tie against the second-year

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

to beat out the

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

for the final playoff spot. The score was tied late in the game, but with just four seconds on the clock, former Flyer

Gerry Meehan Gerard Marcus Meehan (born September 3, 1946) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger and the former general manager and Senior Vice President of the Buffalo Sabres. Playing career Meehan was born in Toronto, Ontario and raised ...

took a shot from just inside the blue line that eluded Flyers goalie

Doug Favell Douglas Robert Favell (born April 5, 1945) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and former box lacrosse player. Favell played in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Rockies. ...

. With identical records, the playoff berth went to the Penguins because Philly lost the season series 2–3–1.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1 , , October 9 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , , , - , 2 , , October 12 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

, , Favell , , 0–2–0 , , 0 , , , - , 3 , , October 13 , , 5–4 , , align="left", @

California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a professional ice hockey club that competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967–68 NHL season, 1967 to 1975–76 NHL season, 1976. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oa ...

, , Gamble , , 1–2–0 , , 2 , , , - , 4 , , October 16 , , 1–0 , , align="left", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

, , Favell , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , , , - , 5 , , October 21 , , 0–7 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 2–3–0 , , 4 , , , - , 6 , , October 23 , , 3–5 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, , Gamble , , 2–4–0 , , 4 , , , - , 7 , , October 24 , , 2–1 , , align="left",

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, , Favell , , 3–4–0 , , 6 , , , - , 8 , , October 28 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 4–4–0 , , 8 , , , - , 9 , , October 30 , , 4–4 , , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, , Favell , , 4–4–1 , , 9 , , , - , 10 , , October 31 , , 5–3 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

, , Favell , , 5–4–1 , , 11 , , , - , - , 11 , , November 3 , , 0–3 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 5–5–1 , , 11 , , , - , 12 , , November 5 , , 2–5 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 5–6–1 , , 11 , , , - , 13 , , November 7 , , 0–3 , , align="left",

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

, , Favell , , 5–7–1 , , 11 , , , - , 14 , , November 11 , , 4–3 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 6–7–1 , , 13 , , , - , 15 , , November 13 , , 3–6 , , align="left",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

, , Gamble , , 6–8–1 , , 13 , , , - , 16 , , November 14 , , 3–3 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 6–8–2 , , 14 , , , - , 17 , , November 18 , , 2–0 , , align="left",

, , Gamble , , 7–8–2 , , 16 , , , - , 18 , , November 20 , , 2–2 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 7–8–3 , , 17 , , , - , 19 , , November 21 , , 1–1 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 7–8–4 , , 18 , , , - , 20 , , November 24 , , 1–2 , , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

, , Favell , , 7–9–4 , , 18 , , , - , 21 , , November 25 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 7–10–4 , , 18 , , , - , 22 , , November 28 , , 2–4 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

, , Favell , , 7–11–4 , , 18 , , , - , - , 23 , , December 2 , , 1–1 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 7–11–5 , , 19 , , , - , 24 , , December 4 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 7–12–5 , , 19 , , , - , 25 , , December 5 , , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 8–12–5 , , 21 , , , - , 26 , , December 9 , , 0–5 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 8–13–5 , , 21 , , , - , 27 , , December 11 , , 3–6 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 8–14–5 , , 21 , , , - , 28 , , December 12 , , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 9–14–5 , , 23 , , , - , 29 , , December 15 , , 2–6 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 9–15–5 , , 23 , , , - , 30 , , December 16 , , 5–0 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 10–15–5 , , 25 , , , - , 31 , , December 19 , , 0–4 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 10–16–5 , , 25 , , , - , 32 , , December 25 , , 1–5 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 10–17–5 , , 25 , , , - , 33 , , December 26 , , 6–1 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 11–17–5 , , 27 , , , - , 34 , , December 29 , , 1–5 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 11–18–5 , , 27 , , , - , - , 35 , , January 1 , , 4–4 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 11–18–6 , , 28 , , , - , 36 , , January 2 , , 2–6 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 11–19–6 , , 28 , , , - , 37 , , January 6 , , 2–3 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 11–20–6 , , 28 , , , - , 38 , , January 8 , , 2–2 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 11–20–7 , , 29 , , , - , 39 , , January 9 , , 10–3 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 12–20–7 , , 31 , , , - , 40 , , January 11 , , 0–5 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 12–21–7 , , 31 , , , - , 41 , , January 15 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 12–22–7 , , 31 , , , - , 42 , , January 16 , , 3–3 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 12–22–8 , , 32 , , , - , 43 , , January 20 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Gamble , , 13–22–8 , , 34 , , , - , 44 , , January 22 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 13–23–8 , , 34 , , , - , 45 , , January 23 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 13–24–8 , , 34 , , , - , 46 , , January 27 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 13–25–8 , , 34 , , , - , 47 , , January 29 , , 2–4 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 13–26–8 , , 34 , , , - , 48 , , January 30 , , 4–0 , , align="left",

, , Gamble , , 14–26–8 , , 36 , , , - , - , 49 , , February 3 , , 5–4 , , align="left",

, , Gamble , , 15–26–8 , , 38 , , , - , 50 , , February 5 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 16–26–8 , , 40 , , , - , 51 , , February 6 , , 2–2 , , align="left",

, , Gamble , , 16–26–9 , , 41 , , , - , 52 , , February 8 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Gamble , , 17–26–9 , , 43 , , , - , 53 , , February 9 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 17–27–9 , , 43 , , , - , 54 , , February 12 , , 1–5 , , align="left", @

, , McLeod , , 17–28–9 , , 43 , , , - , 55 , , February 13 , , 4–4 , , align="left", @

, , McLeod , , 17–28–10 , , 44 , , , - , 56 , , February 16 , , 3–3 , , align="left", @

, , Taylor , , 17–28–11 , , 45 , , , - , 57 , , February 17 , , 1–4 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 17–29–11 , , 45 , , , - , 58 , , February 19 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 17–30–11 , , 45 , , , - , 59 , , February 20 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

, , Taylor , , 18–30–11 , , 47 , , , - , 60 , , February 23 , , 3–4 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 18–31–11 , , 47 , , , - , 61 , , February 26 , , 2–5 , , align="left", @

, , Taylor , , 18–32–11 , , 47 , , , - , 62 , , February 27 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 19–32–11 , , 49 , , , - , - , 63 , , March 2 , , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 20–32–11 , , 51 , , , - , 64 , , March 4 , , 6–2 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 21–32–11 , , 53 , , , - , 65 , , March 5 , , 0–4 , , align="left",

, , Taylor , , 21–33–11 , , 53 , , , - , 66 , , March 8 , , 6–5 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 22–33–11 , , 55 , , , - , 67 , , March 9 , , 5–3 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 23–33–11 , , 57 , , , - , 68 , , March 11 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 23–34–11 , , 57 , , , - , 69 , , March 13 , , 1–2 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 23–35–11 , , 57 , , , - , 70 , , March 16 , , 3–3 , , align="left",

, , Taylor , , 23–35–12 , , 58 , , , - , 71 , , March 18 , , 3–5 , , align="left",

, , McLeod , , 23–36–12 , , 58 , , , - , 72 , , March 23 , , 2–4 , , align="left",

, , McLeod , , 23–37–12 , , 58 , , , - , 73 , , March 25 , , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 24–37–12 , , 60 , , , - , 74 , , March 26 , , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 25–37–12 , , 62 , , , - , 75 , , March 28 , , 2–2 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 25–37–13 , , 63 , , , - , 76 , , March 30 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 26–37–13 , , 65 , , , - , - , 77 , , April 1 , , 4–4 , , align="left",

, , Favell , , 26–37–14 , , 66 , , , - , 78 , , April 2 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

, , Favell , , 26–38–14 , , 66 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Among the team records set during the 1971–72 season was a 19-game winless streak on the road (15 losses and 4 ties) from October 23 to January 27. On October 31, Simon Nolet became the first Flyer to score three goals in a single period and four points in a single period, both franchise regular season records that have been matched but not exceeded several times, the earliest instance occurring on March 9, 1972, by

Bill Flett William Mayer Flett (July 21, 1943 – July 12, 1999) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Atlanta Flames. Flett then moved t ...

for the goals record and Flett and

for the points record. On January 9, the Flyers scored six power play goals during a game against the

, a mark which was later matched during the 1988–89 season.

Milestones

Franchise firsts

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 19, 1971, the day after the deciding game of the

1971 Stanley Cup Finals The 1971 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1970–71 season, and the culmination of the 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Chicago Black Hawks and the Montreal Canadiens. ...

, through May 11, 1972, the day of the deciding game of the

1972 Stanley Cup Finals The 1972 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1971–72 season, and the culmination of the 1972 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers. It was t ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the

1971 NHL amateur draft The 1971 NHL amateur draft was the ninth NHL entry draft. It was held on June 10, 1971, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Larry Robinson, who retired after the 1991� ...

, which was held at the

Queen Elizabeth Hotel Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth () is a historic grand hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With 950 rooms and 21 floors it is the largest hotel in Quebec, and the second largest Fairmont hotel in Canada after the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Lo ...

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

, on June 10, 1971.

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the

Richmond Robins The Richmond Robins were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a member of the American Hockey League for five seasons from 1971–72 to 1975–76. Their cross-state rivals in the AHL were the Virginia Wings. The ...

of the AHL, the

San Diego Gulls The San Diego Gulls are a professional ice hockey team based in San Diego. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Anaheim Ducks. The team plays its home games at Pechanga Arena. History On Jan ...

of the WHL, and the

Jersey Devils The Jersey Devils were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The Devils were formed when the Philadelphia Ramblers (EHL), Philadelphia Ramblers, a member of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), relocated from Philade ...

and Salem Rebels of the EHL.

Notes

References

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:1971-72 Philadelphia Flyers season

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

Philadelphia Flyers seasons Philad Philad