NHL: Chris Pronger and the Greatest Leaders in Philadelphia Flyers' History

The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the most storied franchises in the NHL. They were one of the first expansion teams in 1967.

Many teams have legendary leaders and the Flyers are no different. Through the team’s history, they have had plenty of great leaders.

The following list is of the top 15 leaders in Flyers history in my opinion.

I am not old enough to remember the old days so if I miss someone, let me know. Enjoy!

15. Sami Kapanen

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 15: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins is challenged by Sami Kapanen #24 of the Philadelphia Flyers during game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 15, 2008 in

While Sami Kapanen only played five seasons in Philadelphia, his presence was very important.

The Flyers were in a transition process in the early 2000s and Kapanen was one of the steadying forces that kept the team viable.

Even when the Flyers had the worst season in their history in 2006-07, Kapanen rallied the troops and tried to infuse unity and continued effort.

His played at every position in every situation and did everything that was asked of him.

14. Chris Pronger

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 05: Tim Connolly #19 of the Buffalo Sabres and Chris Pronger #20 of The Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 5, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

With less than two years with the Flyers, his eligibility for this list might be in contention. What is not in contention is the fact that he is one of the best leaders in NHL history.

Pronger plays with an attitude that wears off on his teammates and has won everywhere he has gone.

Now that the Flyers look to be geared up for another Stanley Cup run this season, Pronger will help be a driving force for the championship.

He may not wear the “C”, but he is the vocal leader of the team.

13. Eric Desjardins

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 2: Eric Desjardins #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Buffalo Sabres in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2006 NHL Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on May 2, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. T

Eric Desjardins was one of the best leaders for the Flyers and he was one of the longest tenured defenders in the team history.

Desjardins brought Stanley Cup experience to the Flyers and helped lead the team for 11 seasons from the blue line.

He won seven Barry Ashbee awards for best defender on the Flyers and was as good in the locker room as he was on the ice.

12. Bill Barber

Bill Barber played 12 seasons in the NHL and all were with the Flyers. He helped bring two Stanley Cups back to Philadelphia and was a huge part of their success in the 70s and 80s.

While Barber was a solid defensive forward, he was better known for his offensive prowess. He scored at least 20 goals every season he played in the NHL and had 50 goals in 1975-76.

Barber was the captain for a season and a half, but was a leader on the team for most of his tenure.

11. Ed van Impe

When the Flyers came into the NHL, they acquired Ed van Impe in the expansion draft from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ed van Impe became the second captain in team history in the team’s second year of existence.

He captained the team from 1968 until 1973 when he handed the “C” over to Bobby Clarke.

Van Impe played in three all-star games and was named to the Flyers Hall-of-Fame in 1993.

10. Mel Bridgman

While Mel Bridgman only played just over six seasons in Philadelphia, he was a big part of the Flyers success in the mid-to-late 70s and early 80s.

Bridgeman was the first overall pick in 1975 and was the handpicked heir to the throne while Bob Clarke was a player-coach.

Bridgeman added grit and defensive mindedness to his repertoire and was a good two-way forward during this time in Philadelphia.

9. Paul Holmgren

Paul Holmgren played nine of his 12 seasons in the NHL with the Flyers and was the first U.S.-born player to score a hat trick in the Stanley Cup finals.

While Holmgren was a good leader with the Flyers during his playing years, he is better known for his leadership in the management aspect of the games.

Holmgren was the first former player to become head coach and has held the titles of director of pro scouting, director of player personnel, assistant general manager and now he is the general manager.

General Manager Holmgren has turned the franchise around from its worst season ever to Stanley Cup contenders in an amazingly short amount of time.

8. Bernie Parent

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PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 05: Bernie Parent is interviewed by Flyers broadcaster Steve Coates prior to tonight's game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils at the Wachovia Center on April 5, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Martin Brodu

What is there to say about Bernie Parent that he won’t tell you himself. He spent the ten best years of his career in Philadelphia and has remained a staple in the Philadelphia community since 1967.

His career accomplishments list reads like a career criminal’s rap-sheet. To name a few; two-time Stanley Cup Champion, two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner, two-time Vezina Trophy winner and a member of the Hockey Hall-of-Fame as of 1984.

Parent’s No.1 was retired by the Flyers on October 11, 1979, the first jersey the Flyers had ever retired.

That's what you call leading by example.

7. Rod Brind'Amour

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27 Apr 1998: Leftwinger Rod Brind''Amour of the Philadelphia Flyers in action during their NHL Playoffs game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres defeated the Flyers 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart

Rod Brind'Amour was one of the best defensive forwards in NHL history and he was one of the hardest workers on and off the ice.

His workout regiments were legendary and he was a big reason the Flyers were as successful as they were throughout the 90s.

Brind’Amour holds the Flyers record with a consecutive games streak of 484 played.

The Flyers center was an alternate captain for almost his whole tenure in Philadelphia and was one of the most vocal leaders on and off the ice.

6. Keith Primeau

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LONDON - SEPTEMBER 17: Keith Primeau #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers warms up before the start the preseason NHL game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the John Labatt Centre September 17, 2005 in London, Ontario. The Flyers defeated the Thrashers 8-6. (P

Keith Primeau comes from the same mold as Rod Brind’Amour but added more offense. It was always funny how they were tied together because they were traded for each other.

Primeau only played six seasons in the NHL, he left because of concussions that ended his career prematurely.

He captained the Flyers for four seasons and led them in some of the wildest postseason hockey in Flyers history, including ending the longest game in modern NHL playoff history with his goal at 92:01 of overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

5. Mike Richards

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 08: Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 8, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Mike Richards is the quintessential Flyers captain. He may not be the offensively gifted player on the team, but he’ll be damned if you outwork him.

Richards does whatever is asked of him and excels on the penalty kill and in the defensive zone.

He is an unorthodox leader because he is not the most emotional player, but his steadiness in times of turmoil is something teammates look to when times are tough.

Some captains use their mouth to prove points, but Richards uses his work ethic and blue collar mentality to help his players to succeed.

4. Dave Poulin

Dave Poulin was the Bobby Clarke of the 1980’s for the Flyers. He was groomed by Clarke when he saw his career’s close drawing near.

Clarke helped teach Poulin how to harness the mixture of hockey smarts and athletic ability into an amazing two-way forward.

Poulin kept the team together in light of young, star goaltender Pelle Lindbergh’s death and was one of the biggest parts of 1980s Flyers hockey.

3. Eric Lindros

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20 Feb 1999: Eric Lindros #88 of the Philadelphia Flyers looking on during the game against the Ottawa Senators at the Corel Centre in Ottawa, Canada. The Senators defeated the Flyers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport

Not only is Eric Lindros one of the best leaders in Flyers history, he is one of the most controversial.

His success cannot be questioned and his play on the ice was nothing short of amazing. Lindros was the perfect power forward, in that he could shoot, pass and hit.

Lindros led the team to a Stanley Cup finals appearance in 1997, but started having problems with management a few years later.

While the end wasn’t pretty, Lindros’ career was an amazing one in Philadelphia.

2. Ed Snider

Most people think of Frank Sinatra as the ‘Chairman of the Board’, but not me. My chairman of the board is none other than Ed Snider.

Ed Snider is the man who brought the Flyers to Philadelphia and has kept them relevant since day one in 1967.

It can be debated that there is no owner in sports that has done more for a franchise than Ed Snider.

While he may only have two Stanley Cups, the Flyers are a perennial threat and always one of the best teams in the league.

1. Bobby Clarke

When you try to describe a player from the Flyers, it’s on the Bobby Clarke scale. That’s the hold the man had on Philadelphia.

He was one of the hardest working players in NHL history and played his whole 15 year career with the Philadelphia Flyers. Clarke was rated number 24 on The Hockey News' list of The Top 100 NHL Players of All-Time in 1998.

While Clarke leads the Flyers in career points with 1210, he is better known for his physical play and defensive prowess.

Clarke won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times as the MVP of the NHL, but his Philadelphia loved him for his attitude.

In 1983, realizing that his offensive skills were on their down slope, Clarke re-dedicated himself as a defensive forward. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy award for the first time in his second to last season.

He would do anything for the team and he became general manager for over 20 years. He is still the vice-president and a big part of the team to this day.

Bobby Clarke is Flyers hockey.