On Thursday, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame announced 3 new members that will be inducted in 2021, Former Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, Stan Fischler (Hockey Historian), and Peter McNab (Player for the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins).
We are proud to introduce to you the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2021! 🇺🇸
Congratulations, and thank you for everything you’ve done for hockey in the United States! #USHHOF → https://t.co/AAk8J3xmbB pic.twitter.com/eB6P7sOMME
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) September 9, 2021
Holmgren will join Mark Howe, John LeClair, Ed Snider, Tony Amonte, Derian Hatcher, Jeremy Roenick, John Vanbiesbrouck, and the legendary Doc Emerick as other members of the Philadelphia Flyers organization that are currently enshrined in the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
Holmgren started with the Flyers when he was drafted in the 6th round in the 1975 NHL Entry Draft and has been with the organization ever since. Holmgren has assumed every role you can think of within the Flyers organization. First as a player, Assistant Coach, Head Coach, Scout, General Manager and President. That’s uhh… pretty good. I’m sure they would let him sell concessions if they let him.
In 10 NHL seasons, Homer netted 323 points in 527 games. Not to mention, maybe one or two scraps along the way.
In fact, one of my stories about Paul Holmgren was the story behind “Homer’s Gate” in the old Spectrum. 
As told by Flyers’ Historian, Scoop Cooper, “In a preseason game vs Boston in October of1979, Holmgren and Wayne Cashman got involved in a stick fight and were thrown out by referee Wally Harris. They ended up continuing the fight in the hallway outside the Bruins locker room, resulting in both teams leaving the ice to join in. The gate was installed a few days later to keep that from happening again.”
Love it. This is the energy we need in today’s game.
Below is a statement from Paul Holmgren on his selection into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame:
Paul Holmgren, via the Flyers' release, on heading into the @usahockey Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/P8rYMkufUn
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 9, 2021
Additionally, here is a photo (courtesy of Bill Meltzer) of Homer and his family:
Flyers Hall of Fame finalist Paul Holmgren will be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Congrats to Homer. Paul and Doreen are pictured here with their nine grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/U6QugJD7ff
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 9, 2021
Maybe now Flyers fans will start to realize and appreciate Paul Holmgren for all he has done within the Flyers organization. Yes, yes. I know. He signed Bryzgalov. Yes, we’re still paying him. Well, get over it. This man has done a ton for the organization and it’s time he gets respected as such.
Holmgren is also a finalist to be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame for this upcoming season.
Follow me on Twitter @FlyersJohnny
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