Dave Schultz was known for his mean, hard-hitting style earning him the nickname “The Hammer.”
Schultz let his fists (a.k.a. hammers) do the talking while he wore the orange and black -- something that forever endeared him with the Flyers’ faithful and that finally earned him a permanent sports among Flyers greats.
Schultz will become the 20th member of the Flyers Hall of Fame when he is inducted during an on-ice ceremony before the Fly Guys skate against the Devils on Nov. 16.
“Dave Schultz helped define Philadelphia Flyers hockey,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. “He played with a high level of intensity, always proudly defending the orange and black and making it difficult for our opponents.”
“He never backed down and he fought hard every night, wearing his heart on his sleeve. While his temporary home was in the penalty box, we’re glad that he will have a permanent home in the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame.”
And, just for good measure, The Hammer will even visit the box at his old stomping grounds one more time. He will talk to press Thursday from where else but the Spectrum penalty box.
Schultz would likely be the last man to spend time in the place where he made a living. Just the latest moment in the seemingly never-ending goodbye to “America’s Showplace.”
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Despite only playing five seasons in Philly he ranked fifth in Flyers history with 1,386 regular-season penalty minutes. His most enforced season was the Flyers Stanley-Cup season of 1974-75 when he served 472 penalty minutes -- an NHL record that still stood.
He also still held the Flyers record for playoff penalty minutes with 363 minutes in the box.
Schultz left Philly after the 1975-76 season and was out of the NHL by 1980 -- so this honor was a long time coming.
Fans who attend Schultz’s induction will be treated to a video montage of The Hammer’s greatest hits (get it) and a commemorative poster, according to the team.
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