From Smithers B.C. to NHL All Star and Flyers Stanley Cup Champion

Episode 57 of the PHA Podcast features the man who has been a Philadelphia Flyer since day one: Joe Watson —- who delivers over an hour of amazing and humorous hockey stories about his remarkable 14-year NHL career with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Rockies.

A two-time NHL All Star and a member of the BC Hockey HOF and the Flyers HOF, Watson’s unlikely journey from Smithers BC to two-time Stanley Cup champion is truly fascinating. And, you’ll learn a lot ,too. For example did you know that Joe was once a prospect for the New York Yankee baseball team?

Joe’s NHL career began as a roommate of rookie Bobby Orr with the Boston Bruins in the six-team NHL in 1966-67. He was then selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1967 expansion draft as the league expanded to 12 teams.

The hard-hitting Watson was an anchor on the blueline for a Flyers club, which progressed from a solid expansion team in the late 1960s to the notorious Broad Street Bullies of the of 1970s.

Stay tuned for an interesting discussion that includes insights on Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, Bobby Orr, Fred Shero, Rick MacLeish, Barry Ashbee, Bob “Hound” Kelly, Dave “The Hammer” Shultz, Ed Snider and, of course, Joe’s younger brother Jimmy who joined the Flyers in 1972 and became an NHL all star, as well.

After a horrific leg injury abruptly ended his career in 1978 , Joe embarked on a successful 41-year business career with the Flyers and Comcast Sports — and he and the Flyers Alumni have devoted countless hours to growing youth hockey in the Delaware Valley. It’s genuine salt-of-the-earth guys like Joe Watson that make this game great. And it’s why we love hearing their stories.

Host: Mark Willand

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