Podcast Ep. #57 -- Joe Watson: From Smithers B.C. to Philadelphia 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.
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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.

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Game Summary From Joe Watson's 1st NHL Game

20-Dec-64

Chicago Blackhawks 3 @ Boston Bruins 2

First Period
1 - CHI : B. Hull (Esposito, Vasko) (EV) 18:33

Penalties - BOS - Boivin (Hi stick) 3:01 ; CHI - Ravlich (Tripping) 5:45 ; CHI - McKenzie (Interference) 13:38 ;

Second Period
2 - BOS : Fleming (McDonald, Knibbs) (EV) 3:49
3 - CHI : D. Hull (Stanfield, Nesterenko) (EV) 18:08

Penalties - BOS - Maxner (Hooking) 8:00 ;

Third Period
4 - BOS : Bucyk (Green, Rivers) (PP) 2:39
5 - CHI : Esposito (Makita, Pilote) (EV) 15:53

Penalties - CHI - McNeil (Holding) 1:40 ; BOS - Green (Holding) 4:46 ; CHI - D. Hull (Interference) 12:10 ; BOS - Bucyk (Board check) 13:43 ; CHI - Ravlich (Holding) 18:35 ;

Shots On Goal
1 2 3 T
Chicago Blackhawks 9 10 6 25
Boston Bruins 14 8 7 29

Powerplay Conversions
Chicago Blackhawks : 0 of 4
Boston Bruins : 1 of 5

Goaltenders
Hall (CHI) (W) 27 saves on 29 shots
Johnston (BOS) (L) 22 saves on 25 shots

Officials
Referee: Friday
Linesman: Pavelich
Linesman: Atanas

Game Rosters
Chicago Blackhawks
Name +/- shots
1 - Glenn Hall
2 - Doug Mohns
3 - Pierre Pilote
4 - Elmer Vasko
5 - Matt Ravlich
6 - Fred Stanfield
7 - Phil Esposito
8 - Stan Mikita
9 - Bobby Hull
11 - Bill Hay
14 - Doug Robinson
15 - Eric Nesterenko
16 - Chico Maki
17 - Ken Wharram
18 - John McKenzie
19 - Al McNeil
20 - Dennis Hull

Boston Bruins

1 - Ed Johnston
6 - Ted Green
7 - Orland Kurtenbach
8 - Joe Watson
9 - John Bucyk
11 - Tom Williams
12 - Wayne Maxner
14 - Forbes Kennedy
16 - Murray Oliver
17 - Dean Prentice
18 - Ed Westfall
19 - Reg Fleming
20 - Leo Boivin
21 - Ab McDonald
22 - Bill Knibbs
25 - Wayne Rivers
26 - Don Awrey

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Host:  Mark Willand
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