The Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 are a professional ice hockey

Ice hockey

Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...

 team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division

Atlantic Division (NHL)

The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...

 of the National Hockey League

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

's (NHL) Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference (NHL)

The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

. The Flyers were founded in 1967 as one of six expansion teams

1967 NHL expansion

The National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...

, increasing the size of the NHL at that time to 12 teams.

Since the franchise

Professional sports league organization

Professional sports leagues are organized in numerous ways. The two most significant types are a European model, characterised by a tiered structure using promotion and relegation to determine participation in a hierarchy of leagues or divisions and a North American model characterized by its use...

 was established, the team has had 18 team captains

Captain (ice hockey)

In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...

, including Bobby Clarke

Bobby Clarke

Robert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...

, who led the Flyers to two Stanley Cup

Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...

s in 1974 and 1975. Clarke served the longest single stint, 7 seasons, as Flyers team captain and 9 seasons total while Eric Lindros

Eric Lindros

Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...

 and Dave Poulin

Dave Poulin

David James Poulin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...

 each served 6 seasons as team captain. Chris Pronger

Chris Pronger

Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...

 is the current team captain.

In the NHL, each team may select a captain

Captain (ice hockey)

In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...

. Along with the two alternate captains, they have the "privilege of discussing with the referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game". Captains are required to wear the letter "C" on their uniform for identification, which is 3 inches (7.6 cm) high.

Key

*	Stanley Cup Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...  (SC) winner (as Flyers team captain), Flyers Hall of Famer (FHOF) or Hockey Hall of Fame Hockey Hall of Fame The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup... r (HHOF)
#	Number of team captains
	Replaced during the season
	Traded during the season, no replacement named

Team captains

#	Captain	Position	Seasons	Reason for end of captaincy	Notes
		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	1 (1967–68 1967–68 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1967–68 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' inaugural season and the first National Hockey League season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since the Philadelphia Quakers' 1930–31 season.... )	Traded to the St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...  on June 11, 1968.
	*	Defense	5 (1968 1968–69 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1968–69 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' second season in the National Hockey League .Lou Angotti, who was the first captain of the club, left the team and was replaced by defenseman Ed Van Impe in that role. Led by Van Impe and the team-leading 24 goals of Andre Lacroix,... –73 1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' sixth season in the National Hockey League .It was during the 1972–73 season that the Flyers shed the mediocre expansion team label and became the intimidating Broad Street Bullies, a nickname coined by Jack Chevalier and Pete... )	Stepped aside in favor of Clarke in January 1973.	FHOF 1993
	*	Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	7 (1973 1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' sixth season in the National Hockey League .It was during the 1972–73 season that the Flyers shed the mediocre expansion team label and became the intimidating Broad Street Bullies, a nickname coined by Jack Chevalier and Pete... –79 1978–79 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1978–79 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' twelfth season in the National Hockey League .Bob McCammon, who had just coached the Flyers' first year AHL Maine Mariners farm club to a Calder Cup title, replaced Fred Shero behind the bench, but after a slow start the Flyers... )	Became a playing assistant coach prior to the season and could not be team captain due to NHL rules.	SC 1974 SC 1975 1975 Stanley Cup Finals The 1975 Stanley Cup Final championship series was played by the Buffalo Sabres, making their first Finals appearance and the defending champion Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers would win the best-of-seven series four games to two. This was the first Final to have two non-"Original Six" teams since... HHOF 1987 FHOF 1988
		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	2 (1979 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 13th season in the National Hockey League .The Flyers began the 1979–80 season with a somewhat controversial move by naming Clarke a playing assistant coach and giving the captaincy to Mel Bridgman. While Clarke was against this... –81 1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 14th season in the National Hockey League .The Flyers finished second in the Patrick Division. After a tough, five-game preliminary round series win against the Quebec Nordiques, the Flyers moved on to face the Calgary Flames in the quarterfinals... )	Head coach Pat Quinn Pat Quinn (ice hockey) John Brian Patrick Quinn , is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Edmonton Oilers. Known by the nickname "The Big Irishman",...  replaced him with Barber prior to the season.
	*	Left wing Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...	2 (1981 1981–82 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1981–82 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 15th season in the National Hockey League .In 1981–82, Mel Bridgman was growing unhappy with the Flyers' organization, and was replaced as captain by Bill Barber before being traded to Calgary for defenseman Brad Marsh... –82 1982–83 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1982–83 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 16th season in the National Hockey League .In 1982–83, Mark Howe, son of hockey legend Gordie Howe and a star defenseman in his own right, was acquired via a trade with the Hartford Whalers prior to the season. He would immediately become the... )	Clarke, no longer a playing assistant coach, reassumed the captaincy from him in December 1982.	FHOF 1989 HHOF 1990
	*	Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	2 (1982 1982–83 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1982–83 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 16th season in the National Hockey League .In 1982–83, Mark Howe, son of hockey legend Gordie Howe and a star defenseman in his own right, was acquired via a trade with the Hartford Whalers prior to the season. He would immediately become the... –84 1983–84 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1983–84 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 17th season in the National Hockey League .Bob McCammon replaced Keith Allen as General Manager in the off-season, and retained his position as head coach. The youth of the team began to take over the reins from the old guard as Tim Kerr... )	Retired to become the team's general manager on May 15, 1984.	HHOF 1987 FHOF 1988
	*	Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	6 (1984 1984–85 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1984–85 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 18th season in the National Hockey League .Mike Keenan, a relative unknown at the time, was hired in 1984 to coach the team, and named second-year player Dave Poulin team captain... –89 1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 23rd season in the National Hockey League .The 1989–90 season got off to a bad start for the Flyers, and continued to get worse... )	Stripped of captaincy in December 1989.	FHOF 2004
		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	2 (1989 1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 23rd season in the National Hockey League .The 1989–90 season got off to a bad start for the Flyers, and continued to get worse... –91 1990–91 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1990–91 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 24th season in the National Hockey League .Rick Tocchet scored 40 goals and Pelle Eklund recorded 50 assists. However, Ron Hextall continued to be hampered by injuries during the 1990–91 season... )	Traded to the St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...  on September 22, 1991.
		Right wing Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...	1 (1991–92 1991–92 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1991–92 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 25th season in the National Hockey League . The Flyers hosted the 43rd NHL All-Star Game.... )	Traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...  on February 19, 1992.
		–	1 (1992–93 1992–93 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1992–93 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 26th season in the National Hockey League .In June 1992, the Flyers began putting their plan for returning to the NHL elite in action, as they won the arbitration battle for 1991 first-overall pick Eric Lindros over the New York... )
10		Right wing Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...	1 (1993–94 1993–94 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1993–94 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 27th season in the National Hockey League . For the fifth consecutive season, the Flyers failed to make the playoffs.... )	Stepped aside in favor of Lindros on September 6, 1994.
11		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	6 (1994 1994–95 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1994–95 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 28th season in the National Hockey League .Bob Clarke returned again for the 1994–95 season, this time as both President and GM, and immediately began putting his stamp on the team. New head coach Terry Murray replaced Kevin Dineen... –2000 1999–2000 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1999–2000 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 33rd season in the National Hockey League .1999–2000 was one of the most tumultuous seasons in franchise history and the tumult actually started three months prior to the start of the regular season... )	General manager Bob Clarke stripped him of the captaincy on March 27, 2000 after he criticized the team's medical staff.
12		Defense	3 (2000 1999–2000 Philadelphia Flyers season The 1999–2000 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 33rd season in the National Hockey League .1999–2000 was one of the most tumultuous seasons in franchise history and the tumult actually started three months prior to the start of the regular season... –01 2001–02 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2001–02 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 35th season in the National Hockey League .In the off-season, the Flyers re-vamped their lineup by signing Jeremy Roenick and finally trading Eric Lindros to the New York Rangers for Kim Johnsson, Jan Hlavac, Pavel Brendl, and a... )	Resigned captaincy on October 23, 2001.
13		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	4 (2001 2001–02 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2001–02 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 35th season in the National Hockey League .In the off-season, the Flyers re-vamped their lineup by signing Jeremy Roenick and finally trading Eric Lindros to the New York Rangers for Kim Johnsson, Jan Hlavac, Pavel Brendl, and a... –06 2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 39th season in the National Hockey League .The Flyers were one of the more active teams once the NHL Lockout came to an end... )	Retired due to post-concussion syndrome on September 14, 2006.
14		Defense	1 (2006 2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 39th season in the National Hockey League .The Flyers were one of the more active teams once the NHL Lockout came to an end... )	He was captain on an interim basis from January 29, 2006 through September 2006.
15		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	1 (2006–07 2006–07 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2006–07 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 40th season in the National Hockey League .The 2006–07 NHL season turned out to be the worst in franchise history... )	Traded to the Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...  on February 15, 2007.
16		Defense	1 (2007–08 2007–08 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2007–08 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 41st season in the National Hockey League .The Flyers began the 2007–08 season with the intention of putting the disaster of the previous season behind them... )	Signed with the Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...  on July 8, 2008.
17		Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...	3 (2008 2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 42nd season in the National Hockey League .The Flyers began the 2008–09 season by naming Mike Richards the 17th captain in Flyers history on September 17, with Jason Smith headed to the Ottawa Senators as a free agent... –11 2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 44th season in the National Hockey League .Coming off a close loss to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers traded Simon Gagne to Tampa Bay to clear up cap space, acquired Andrej Meszaros from Tampa Bay in a separate trade and signed... )	Traded to the Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...  on June 23, 2011.
18		Defense	1 (2011 2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers season The 2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers season is the Flyers' 45th season in the National Hockey League.-Standings:-Game Log:The 2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers season is the Flyers' 45th season in the National Hockey League.-Standings:-Game Log:... –present)