PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bernie Parent, the Hall of Famer noted for being one of the greatest goalies in hockey history, has passed away at the age of 80. Parent was a key player for the Philadelphia Flyers, helping them secure their only two Stanley Cup championships during the team's iconic Broad Street Bullies era. The Flyers confirmed his death on Sunday, providing few immediate details beyond that he died overnight in his sleep, as shared by Joe Watson, a standout defenseman from the Flyers' championship teams.

Watson recounted that just days prior, he had seen Parent and other former Flyers at a function in Delaware. He described Parent's condition, saying, "Bernie was in such pain, he could hardly walk," referring to Parent's struggle with a severe back issue. Watson expressed his sadness over the loss, noting, "To see this happen, it’s very sad."

Parent's remarkable presence on the ice was matched by his fame off it; he appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1975 as the Flyers soared in popularity. He achieved a perfect season when he won the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, and Vezina trophies in consecutive years, leading the Flyers to their historic championships in 1974 and 1975, making them the first expansion team in NHL history to win the coveted trophy.

The Flyers released a touching statement emphasizing the far-reaching impact of Parent's legacy. "The legend of Bernie Parent reached far beyond the ice and his accolades," the statement read. "He had a deep love for Philadelphia and fans of the Flyers, and was passionate about his role as an ambassador for Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education." It continued to highlight Parent's commitment to fostering the game of hockey and his dedication to spreading joy among fans.

Parent began his NHL career with the Boston Bruins in 1965 but found his true calling when he was selected by the Flyers during the 1967 expansion draft. After a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he returned to Philadelphia before the start of the 1973-74 season, where he recorded a league-leading 47 wins that year, followed by 44 the next. He concluded his career with the Flyers in 1979, achieving a total of 271 NHL victories, 231 of which were with Philadelphia. Sadly, a severe eye injury in 1979 led to his retirement from the sport.

During his tenure, Parent played an instrumental role in the Flyers' victories over the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres in the finals, achieving shutouts in the decisive games of both series. He reminisced about those championship moments in a 2010 interview, recalling how the team celebrated the Stanley Cup in the airplane–with the trophy placed in the aisle for all to admire.

The slogan "Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent" resonated throughout Philadelphia, encapsulating his legendary status in the sport. Alongside team captain Bobby Clarke and enforcer Dave "The Hammer" Schultz, Parent became a symbol of the Flyers during a rugged era of play that earned the team its notorious nickname. The passion for the team helped draw millions of fans to the streets of Philadelphia during their championship parades.

Parent's jersey, number 1, has been retired by the Flyers and remains a symbol of his legacy in the arena. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984, becoming the first Flyers player to earn that honor, and he still holds the record for the most shutouts in franchise history, with 50.

Throughout the years, Parent maintained a close relationship with the Flyers as an ambassador. Watson reminisced, "He was so good with people. A lot of athletes don’t get it or don’t give fans the time of day. Bernie gave everyone the time of day." His charm and sense of humor endeared him to countless fans, who often sought to connect with the hockey legend.

One of Parent's final highlights came in 2011 during an alumni game at Citizens Bank Park, where he played briefly and impressed the crowd by stopping all six shots against him. His participation prompted the enthusiastic chants of "Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!" resonating throughout the stadium, a fitting tribute to a man who has left an indelible mark on the world of ice hockey.