Philadelphia Flyers x Bobby Clarke [1970-81, 1982-84]

I watched a documentary about Wayne Gretzky, and in that video he mentions he was inspired by the playing style of Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers, the topic of Jersey Sunday. Upon reading and watching about the former centre, I instantly became a Bobby Clarke fan. I’ve never seen him play live and he retired before I was born - but I ended up getting two of his jerseys. I consider it as seeing the bookends of his storied career.


The first item up is an authentic Mitchell and Ness uniform which I purchased online during their big 50% off sale. Although it set me back a few dollars, it’s definitely worth the ownership and I plan on holding onto this for a very long time. Complete with the unique 2-layer twill and the “C” logo upon the chest, the look and feel of this sweater is undoubtedly unmatched.


In the mid-1970’s, the standard practice for attire was to have players’ names on the back of home white uniforms. When NBC began airing NHL games, nameplates were mandated in order to help broadcasters define who was who. The unprepared Flyers’ equipment manager stitched extra home nameplates on road jerseys. The decision slid considering they played less than five regular season road games on national TV. After a 26 year absence, the team revived this classic uniform as their alternate jersey. As of this season, they will be used for all home games at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.


To add a little more detail to this jersey, an authentic 1970’s fight strap was added. Still used to this day, fight straps are attached to a player’s pants to prevent the jersey from being pulled over someone’s face in a brawl.


The Philadelphia Flyers would capture one of their two Stanley Cup Championships in the orange road jerseys in 1975.
Fast fact: The 1974-75 Flyers was the last team to win the championship with a full Canadian-born roster.


This brings me to the other Bobby Clarke jersey which he wore between 1982 - 1984. It’s a really old jersey with ultrafil polyester material. I purchased this off the black market at a very good price shortly before the 2009 NHL Winter Classic.


The numbers would stay the same with the only differences being the “C” logo and nameplate. It did take a lengthy amount of time getting this right because the cresting company didn’t know what I wanted, but it was worth the wait to have the jersey look exactly as it did back in 1984.


This is the first hat to kick off my snapback addiction and my favourite one so far. It was thrown into the deal by the seller of the 1984 jersey. An old previously worn hat from the 1980’s for an extra $5 didn’t sound too compelling, but it did look sick and a little hand washing fixes anything.

I consider this piece to be one of a kind. There are plenty just like it online, but none with the retro NHL stamp on the side.


Drafted 17th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1969, Robert Earle Clarke was a born leader for the 2 year old expansion team. The Flin Flon, Manitoba native was passed by many teams early on due to their uncertainty of his diabetic condition. After consulting a specialist during the draft, Philadelphia picked him up in the second round. He would have a solid rookie and sophomore season and upon his third year, he would prove to be and outstanding scorer and playmaker.


In 1974, the Philadelphia Flyers captured their first Stanley Cup title in a six game series against the Boston Bruins. They were the first expansion team to win the coveted prize and would keep the title the following season after beating the Buffalo Sabres in 1975. Letting everyone know they were more than just a ruthless gang of Canadian thugs – but they were the greatest team in the world. Furthermore, in the 1979-80 season, they would play 35 consecutive games without a loss [25-0-10], a record which still stands to this day.


Bobby Clarke would continue his career in Philadelphia becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played, points, and assists. However, playing Flyer hockey would take its toll on his health and he retired from the game at the end of the 1983-84 season. Currently, he serves as the Philadelphia Flyers Senior Vice President.



Bobby Clarke stepped outside the national rink and into international competition. In 1972, the young centreman played for Team Canada against the Soviet National Team in what is considered the greatest hockey series of all time; The Summit Series. Canada would beat Russia 4-3-1 with Clarke registering 6 points [2 G, 4 A]. He would also captain the gold medal winning Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup and the bronze medal winning club in the 1982 World Championship.


NHL Highlights and Achievements:
1144 games played, 1210 points [358 G, 852 A], 2x Stanley Cup Champion [1974, 1975], 9x NHL All-Star [1970 – 1978], 3x Hart Trophy [1973, 1975, 1976], Lester B. Pearson Award [1974], Hockey Hall of Fame inductee [1987], and #16 jersey retired by the Philadelphia Flyers.


Legends of Hockey: Bobby Clarke


Earlier this year, I sent some items to his office at the arena formerly named the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia hoping to have them autographed by Bobby Clarke himself. After a long and arduous wait, the package was returned in the late part of spring. He graciously signed an action figure base, a hockey puck, and a trading card. The photograph was bought because the one I originally sent in was lost in the delivery.

"I don't give a sh-t if nobody likes me, I could care less." - Bobby Clarke