You Talkin' to Me? Bernie Parent on Cup, then and now

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Orange & Black

I'd like to welcome our newest member of Team Talkin': Flyers legend Bernie Parent (www.bernieparent.net).

Bernie, I apologize in advance for tarnishing your legacy by dragging you down into the Page 2 muck.

Now then: In advance of the Stanley Cup Finals, I thought we might compare this year's roster to some of the other Flyers teams that have played for the NHL championship. How might the 2010 team do against Bernie and the Boys from back in the day?

From: Parent, Bernie

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Orange & Black

Thanks for inviting me.

It's almost like looking in a mirror. There would be no loser if the two teams played. The 1974 team and the 2010 team are similar in many ways - toughness, leadership, the commitment of the ownership, and most of all the passionate fans. This city is behind this team just like it was in 1974. Also, the coaching staff shares the ability to have the vision and confidence to make adjustments during the game.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Orange & Black

Bernie, you're quite the politician. No loser? I know this is all hypothetical, but we don't do ties in Talkin' (we save that for the MLB All-Star Game).

I'll go with your teams, Bernie, if only because I'm worried that you and Schultz would pull my sweater over my head and tune me up if I went the other way. I watched that HBO special enough times now to know you guys were like a bunch of Hulks out there; getting you angry is a bad idea.

From: Parent, Bernie

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Orange & Black

Hey, tough guys and tough teams stick together, my friend.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Orange & Black

I'm all Flyer-ed up now. Bernie, I was but a babe in 1974. What was it like the second you guys won? What do you remember about that moment?

From: Parent, Bernie

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Orange & Black

Wow! The feeling was overwhelming, something you dream about as a kid but never thought it would feel as good as it did.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Orange & Black

I can only imagine. In 1994, I lived in Manhattan next door to Mark Messier. One day after the Rangers won the Cup, Messier and a couple of his teammates walked out of his apartment, carrying the Cup. They had the biggest smiles I'd ever seen. Just unfiltered joy. They stood and talked to folks in the street for a long time. Messier's probably still smiling. You, too.

From: Parent, Bernie

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Orange & Black

I have been smiling since 1974. Winning the Stanley Cup is a beautiful thing.