Barry Ashbee: His Long & Painful Road to the NHL and the Horrific Tragedies That Ended it All

His road to the NHL was a long and painful one - and once he finally realized his NHL dream it was ripped from him in one bloody, frightening and horrific moment.
He was a 31-year old rookie who played just four NHL seasons. But, his retired number 4 hangs alongside the Flyers greatest legends.
To understand why a man with just 85 career points is honored with Hockey Hall of Farmers is to understand that this man was a fearless and courageous warrior, who epitomized so many who toiled in the hard-scrabbled era of the 1960s and early 70s.
Barry Ashbee handled his fate with grace and courage - traits he’d display again when he faced even worse tragedy three years later.
This is the story of Barry Ashbee, the strong, silent gladiator whose uncommon character and inner strength continues to impact the Philadelphia Flyers to this day.
www.prohockeyalumni.org
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Copyright Disclaimer:
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for Fair Use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and more. No copyright infringement intended.

[@sheeplehunter9651]

The Barry Ashbee Trophy is the oldest trophy the Flyers organization awards and it shows how much he was respected by the Flyers organization for them to name the club's version of the Norris trophy after him. Thanks for recognizing a Flyer's legend and keep up the great work!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Great comment -- very much appreciated! Thank you!

[@insertnamehere313]

People need to give this Flyer more attention instead of a sucker punching, jumping player's from behind coke head and steroid abusing Dave Brown who couldn't really play hockey.

[@cameron6199]

Could you please do Pelle Lindbergh I am 14 I am a goalie and I love the Flyers and the 80s

[@craigfazekas3923]

This is the best episode you've produced so far. And there has been plenty of great ones !!.....

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, my man … we’ll keep working hard for you!

[@jerryvan-hees7130]

I'm surprised nobody else suffered this type of injury. Using your body to block shots. Nuts.

[@4orrcountry]

Will someone tell this narrator it's LACKadaisical, not "laXadaisical"?

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

narrator was just speared in the ribs ... lesson learned.

[@alanwood5857]

Wow, I've been a Flyers fan for over 45 years and I must say that is the best bit of info on Barry Ashbee I've ever seen - well done.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you … the channel is dedicated to knowledgeable fans like you!

[@gregoryheim1484]

Totally agree. Exceptional. I’m not one easily moved to emotion, but there was a wee bit of moisture in my eyes afterwards.

[@GeoffBurt08]

I'm a lifelong Rangers fan who will always wish he'd played for us. A tip of the cap to the great Barry Ashbee.

[@williegordon7899]

Too bad that couldn't have happened to Bobby Clarke instead.

[@texasguy5377]

@@williegordon7899 ouch bro. Very ouch

[@seanmcgaghran9892]

my sentiments exactly I hate the Flyers as I should but He wasn`t a goon or cheap shot artist

[@chairlesnicol672]

​@@seanmcgaghran9892 That's an automatic requirement isn't it? Lol

[@firebird7479]

I remember the injury. I remember his diagnosis. I remember him saying, "I'll recover", and just like that, he was gone.

[@100secondworkout]

Started the Barry Ashbee Fight for Lives Carnival! I lived by the Spectrum and was down there hours before every game just to talk to the players ! They new me by name I was 13 years old! Barry was one of the nicest guys and they were all great friendly guys ! Everyone had Flyers Fever !

[@firebird7479]

@@100secondworkout Fortunately, we had the Firebirds finish off the HAT TRICK IN '76!

[@100secondworkout]

@@firebird7479 They moved to Syracuse in 79 for one final season! No Parent ! No MacLeish 3 one goal losses to the Canadians and a 5-3 loss in game four ended the Greatest Era in Flyers History!

[@firebird7479]

@@100secondworkout Then they moved to Fredericton and became the Fredericton Express. All those losses were by 1 goal, too.

[@deanoppergoalieclinics834]

I knew of Barry Ashbee,but watching this story brought tears to my eyes at the end...

[@mjboux6559]

No kidding ..what a tragic but still celebrated life ...people today would cave in in a minutes when faced with such terrible results

[@stevencooke6451]

One of the most courageous stories in sport. Never particularly liked the team (except that time when they played the Soviets on a Sunday afternoon in early 1976) but it does seem just that they won one Cup while he was a player and another while he helped coach. And credit to them for doing so much for him and his memory. I had heard some negative things about the Snyders as people but it seems they did right by him.

[@THESANDMAN9]

PRO HOCKEY is a small family where almost everyone knows or has played with or against everyone else, and even the guys that played a short time retained their respect from other players. Fans opinions don't matter much when a player like Ashbee gets injured, ALL players will support him. Steven, I was 17at the U OF PENN (PHILLY) and the Flyers practiced at our rink. I met them all and over a year learned a lot from watching them but they were a Family, Shero wouldn't let them slack off, he worked them very hard. No one deserves what happened to Ashbee.

[@RichStrickler]

Fantastic job. Really well done!!! I'm a Flyers fan for 50 years, you captured the essence of Barry Ashbee beautifully. I love all these wonderful profiles you produce of all these warriors of my favorite era of hockey. Great stuff, keep cranking them out. You do a phenomenal job.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Such an encouraging comment … can’t tell you how motivating it is … thank you!

[@nitrampd]

Thank you for chronicling the real history of professional hockey; something the NHL seems to ignore.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You are welcome …. I greatly appreciate your feedback!

[@maire454]

Philadelphia has never stopped loving + respecting Barry Ashbee. He is the soul of our organization. *LEGEND*

[@ianhowarth2656]

What does that make Bob Clarke or Bill Barber or Bernie Parent? No soul for those guys?

[@maire454]

​@@ianhowarth2656 Bobby, Bill, + Bernie are all part of the soul of the Flyers. Philly's got a lot of soul. 😉

[@register1430]

31 yr old rookie, referee slug, on ice reporter Brian McFarlane , another great episode. Had forgotten the story. Hopefully teams are helping you out with info and media to compile these stories. How you haven't broken 10K subs ??? Come on guys. This is quality.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks Reg! We’ll get there soon … as always I appreciate your support and encouraging comments

[@RRaquello]

Imagine a reporter going on the ice during a game and talking to a linesman. You never, ever hear an NHL official being interviewed, at least not until they're retired, least of all during a game. McFarlane was a big name at the time, so he had more pull than most guys, but there isn't enough pull in the entire sport any more for a broadcaster to get away with that.

[@IronSikh44]

Another great tribute. Thank you again for recognizing these wonderful warriors whose name would only be known to the most ardent hockey fan. It’s nice to see teams recognize their players for reasons just beyond their statistics or achievements. Honour and character of this magnitude are sometimes overlooked. So kudos to the Flyers for recognizing Number 4.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you for the high-quality feedback … we’ll keep telling these stories for serious fans like you!

[@Classicrocker6119]

Another outstanding documentary. I was aware that Barry had suffered a career ending eye injury as well of his passing. But I was not aware (until now) of the details. A story of perseverance and overcoming some challenges leading to his short but important career with the Flyers. Glad to hear that his memory and legacy has not been forgotten by Flyers fans.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks again, my friend … appreciate the knowledge you bring to the comment section!

[@SombraPiloto]

So ghoulish to have a correspondent on the ice interviewing the linesman while standing over Ashbee.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Agreed … I’m sure Brian had some idiot producer telling him to go on the ice. Bad look.

[@hockeyeverything4339]

Right hand to the jaw of a ref. 8 games and 150 bucks. Lol. Boy. times have changed

[@richardmanginelli2624]

I was at that game, I was 11 yrs old. That was the worse thing I had ever seen, I still remember him rolling around then trying to get up, you'll also notice the 1st Ranger player over to Ashbee was Rolfe himself...Terrible, Terrible injury. The gm was an afternoon game because the NHL signed a contract to televise the games on NBC Sports, listen to the announcer, TIM RYAN ! I was also at the game a few yrs later when Rolfe suffered a career ending injury getting his skate caught in a Rut in the ice and suffering a Compound Fracture The Garden ice was questionable to day the least, the Circus,Knicks then Rangers all in 1 1/2 days

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Great recall and excellent info …. I have a difficult time watching that film .. . Heartbreaking

[@glennbernstein355]

A lot of people don't remember but in very Ashby's last season the one he got hurt in he started to become much much more offensive and had plenty of outstanding and to end rushes when beforehand he was known as a steady but kind of a blue line defenseman I was so proud of him to see his skating skills come around and him even starting to be involved in goal scoring and assist,, eventually though he got hurt that year I can still see him becoming more offensive and we also used to go to flyers practices which were free at Pennsylvania ice rink and I will never forget he told this barely large rough defenseman after he ran out of gas pretty early he said to him how many packs of cigarettes do you smoke a day it was funny

[@DPJ59]

@@glennbernstein355 As mentioned in this video, Ashbee was disgusted with some players at one point for not working hard enough and wanted to be traded or quit - so I have to wonder if the "large rough defenseman" you mention who "ran out of gas" was possibly one of those players? Rumor had it that one player in particular who was a major part of Ashbee's ire was a big rough defenseman named Rick Foley, so I have to wonder if that was the guy you saw Ashbee needling in the practice session...In any event Foley spent one year with the Flyers in 71-72 while they were still trying to transition to a rougher club, but Shero and other top brass didn't like him because he couldn't keep his weight down and they had to let him go. He was kind of exciting to watch due to his sheer size - around 6'4" and about 230lbs (in those days that was a monster, and his major claim to notoriety was fighting two NY Rangers in one game at the same time and considered the winner of both! )...but the guy was just too overweight (and besides, Ashcan didn't like him), so he had to go.

[@AbsoluteNut1]

@@glennbernstein355 "Ashby's last season the one he got hurt in" No shit, Sherlock. His career ending injury came in his last season? You sure it wasn't his first?

[@LetsGoFlyers2011]

@@AbsoluteNut1 I'd tell you to calm down but you're an absolute nut.

[@mfsperring]

These are the players of my early youth. I've forgotten so many so this channel has been a real recharging of my love of the game in that era. Thanks for that and for doing it in such a respectful way without sounding like a hallmark card.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, Mark ... great comment that us very much appreciated ... no Hallmark cards here -- just old school reality!

[@idontgivetkachuk]

Another fantastic story!! Idk how u find all these!! RIP Ashbee.. Hope u had a great Christmas 🎅🏻

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks again -- you too, young gun ... really enjoyed your recent vid on the #1s

[@billcullen8586]

His second love was lacrosse, after his death he left an endowment to a local youth lacrosse club in Merion Pennsylvania that still plays today. Ashbee Lacrosse, and their colors are Black and Orange.

[@fullerjohn1119]

Fined $150 for punching a referee?

[@mrsouthjersey4956]

I will never forget sitting with great anticipation, jubilation and excitement on the benches in JFK Stadium waiting for my heros to arrive. For a 13 year old, seeing the Flyers arriving on those flatbed trailers into the stadium, celebrating with the entire city and hoisting their 1st Stanley Cup was my heaven. It was immediately etched into my mind, heart and spirit forever. Now, as a 62 year old man with 62 years worth of "life experiences" under my belt, I can honestly say, "May 21st in the year of 1974, I can STILL, list that day as one of my top 5 days of my entire life." Thank you Flyers family, and thank you #4.

[@williamscanlon6539]

I was 24 and lived at 15th and Moore in South Philly. The weather that Sunday they won the cup was perfect. I regret not simulcasting the NBC broadcast with listening to the great Gene Hart calling the game on the radio. What a great time. RIP Barry Ashbee who left this world too soon.

[@mrsouthjersey4956]

@@williamscanlon6539 I remember just 3 things about that Sunday. First, I always thought it was on a Saturday, but you are correct, it was on a Sunday. 1). My cousin, 2 brothers and I watched the game at my grandmother's house, wile the entire family (like some 190 people) celebrated her 80th birthday with a "full bore blow out" up the road at a Italian, social club type of place. 2). I remember Andre "Moose" Duponts shot from the point then BAM, into the net by a deflection by Rick Macleish. The 5 of us went frigging nuts. And finally, 3). I remember during the rest of the game, which ended at 1-0, and intermission, I continued to bite my fingernails eventhough there was nothing left to bite and 4 or 5 of them were bleeding. Gene Hart and Don, "Let's go Flyers and let's go Gene Hart", Earle.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

awesome memories ... so glad you could share them!

[@phillyprice4460]

05:47 I know some guys who played against MacLeish in Alumni games later in his life and he still had that type of speed.

[@seancasey8364]

I'm a life long Bruins fan, born in the mid 1950's. Until the NHL expanded quality players like Barry Ashbee were " buried" in the minor leagues ( AHL, WHL, IHL , etc.). I have a profound respect for the many players that road buses in the minor league outposts in USA and Canada chasing their dreams. The NHL expansion and later the WHA provided opportunities for many many deserving/skilled hockey players.

[@MAGCARS]

Great video once again 🙌🏽 I don’t understand why you don’t have more subscribers.. the content is in my opinion is one of the best, keep up your great work!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

We’re moving up the ladder … steadily …. Thx for your support!

[@jannlewandowski5540]

I never knew of Barry Ashbee until I became a Flyers fan back in 1979. I read all about him. God bless him. Beautiful narration. ❤

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks so much ... your comments are greatly appreciated.

[@invaderjaymz]

@@ProHockeyAlumni he's right. Your style has a soothing ASMR element to it. I am now a subscriber.

[@mortimerbrewster1028]

A great job telling the Barry Ashbee story. Thank you.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks so much, Mort!

[@LocoCanada]

It seems like he had a long run of bad luck. But them again, he made the NHL and got to drink from the Stanley Cup. Very inspiring that he wasn’t ever a quitter

[@guntotengranny_]

That was beautiful!! Well told. Thank you 😢

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You are so welcome ... Thank you for your kind comment!

[@juans3728]

His road to the NHL was a long and painful one and yet his life was short and painful.

[@sheeplehunter9651]

True, but he also got to experience things in his 37 years that other men can only dream of. Not only did he make it as a professional hockey player, but he also had his name written on Lord Stanley's Cup twice, once as a player and once as an assistant coach. Those Flyers teams of 74 and 75 are still legendary in the hearts of Flyers fans and many hockey fans still remember them as the Broadstreet Bullies. As their coach Ray Shero wrote on a chalkboard before game 6 of the finals against the Boston Bruins "Win together today and we walk together forever."

[@That90sShow]

The reporter is on the ice? Thats sweet

[@caeserromero3013]

$150 for punching the ref, that's excellent value!

[@AK_Wargamer]

That was a good one, thank you for telling this gentleman's story.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Glad you enjoyed it ... thanks for watching and for commenting!

[@WitWafer]

What a beautiful job you did for Barry Ashbee and the Flyers organization. Hero

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you ... I'm grateful for your support!

[@100secondworkout]

Thank You so much for this Tribute to a Great Flyer ! Barry Ashbee !

[@edwardezako8537]

So sad how players were treated like shit before NHLPA came along

[@100secondworkout]

Ted Harris was acquired to replace the injured Barry Ashbee on the 75 Cup Winning Team !

[@bootsminor4364]

His hockey school was in my home town Wasaga Beach and every kid I knew who went had nothing but good things to say about him.

[@74JDB]

God bless you Ashbee always and forever

[@vincentmurphy9252]

Awesome 😎

[@Federico_Cahis]

Very heartfelt. Now can we bring back Brian McFarlane-like reporters to go on the ice and interview officials? Could only help the game.

[@andicampbell8621]

Yet another very interesting watch 👍 Your work is tremendous 👏 Thanks for uploading.

[@DrRussPhd]

Ashbee, along with Ed Van Impe made it dangerous for opposing players to get anywhere near the Flyers net. Both were tough D and contributed virtually no offense, they were stay at home defensemen .

[@gregrice1532]

Sad news when any flyers die especially since I been a fan forever but it waa so sad about Barry ashbee

[@100secondworkout]

The injury lead to Barry Ashbee wearing the horse collar for protection with the Flyers! May kids wore it in Philly because of Barry !

[@Rockhound6165]

He wore the collar before this injury and he never played again after the injury.

[@100secondworkout]

@@Rockhound6165 I’m not talking about the eye injury Genius

[@100secondworkout]

@@Rockhound6165 Stay in Jersey you Hick !

[@bonzotalonzo9072]

I went to many Rochester AHL games as a kid & hockey was big in my life. Now I'm old, 66 & in Philippines. Larry Zeidel, Mike Nykoluk, Barry Ashbee wow this is flashback city to me ! T/y for these vids as it sure brings back the good memory & good times to me.

[@karlshuler1011]

Excellent video, thanks for posting this.

[@timspencer7067]

Not a Flyers fan at all but played a fair bit of hockey, coached a fair bit of sports, and Barry Ashbee was by far one of the best defensive defencemen to ever play the game.

[@orangeblitz4786]

Great video. Thank you for telling his story. It's wonderful to hear stories not often told. I look forward to the next video.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you for watching … your support is greatly valued!

[@mike196212]

I was only 12 but I recall the injury and the winning goal by Gilbert. I had no dog in the fight(I'm a Leafs' fan) but was watching anyway. Friend of mine is a lifelong Flyers fan from Ottawa(I'm from Halifax) and knows a LOT more about this than anyone I know.

[@daveyboy_]

Wow - the 70's were just some crazy times in hockey . Your channel has info i never knew . Next up, Brian Spencer .

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks, Davey ... we love great fans fans like you!

[@donaldleider7382]

I’m a lifelong Ranger Fan who played defense in Junior then College hockey. I always admired Barry Ashlee’s tough and solid defense. I was at the game where he was hit Dale Rolfe’s shot, it was horrific to say the least.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

THX D-man ... can't imagine how bad that scene was live.

[@clearcreek69]

I know that Bobby Baun played for the Leafs in the 1964 playoffs with a broken leg, but Barry Ashbee playing with a herniated disc in his back was unbelievable. Its a shame his career was cut short & that he died so young.

[@johngore7744]

Fred Shero always reminded me of Dr Strangelove. Lol

[@kevmac1230]

To have an announcer covering the injury on the ice was gross and classless.

[@jimrossi7708]

I remember Barry as I was a young boy just learning hockey 🏒 and as a defenseman players like him and Bob Gassoff of the Blues inspired myself ! He was a warrior !! R.I.P.

[@martinrobert8490]

Wow play that for a lot of nhler today they should learn sometjing 😉

[@seagullpoet]

Never knew any of this. Powerful. Great tribute.

[@stacydornan9765]

He was the uncle of my uncle Dave's good buddy

[@4orrcountry]

Does any sport have more higher highs and tragic lows?

[@ianhowarth2656]

Why the hell did the NHL let tv guys on the freaking ice to rubber neck injuries? Totally bizarre.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Ridiculous, right?

[@TudorOwen50s]

How could one not want to keep trying when one is fueled with desire but the odds conspire. This life account is filled with power beyond words. Ashbee: From Ice Warrior to a Warrior Angel. R.I.P. 🥰🥰🥰

[@josephreilly6328]

Broad street bullies, tuff tuff tuff. NYR fan

[@gregorymotta6628]

Truly was a Horse 👍, your channel was just recently discovered by me. It’s given me many hours of pleasure looking back at what I think were hickeys glory days. Awesome research and the news clippings that coincide with the stories being told. Just love it

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Wow, thank you! Glad you are here!

[@nukelaloosh4795]

thanks for introducing me to so many players I was completely unaware of

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

You are welcome … thank you for watching!

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

I’m glad you have gained value from The channel - we’ll keep knocking ‘em out.

[@dougmphilly]

tears in my eyes over this.

[@DrRussPhd]

Had there been any kind of goal review at the time Ashbee would not have suffered his career ending injury. The Rangers scored to tie the game in the 3rd period but watching the replay on TV the puck never crossed the goal line. What the goal judge saw was Flyer goalie Bernie Parent's stick push the back of the net giving the impression that the puck had gone in. I watched this game live as a kid and on the replay from a side view it showed that the puck never entered the net. The call was wrong. The game should not have gone to overtime and thus Ashbee would not have been injured. But the goal judge called it a goal. For those of you too young to know back then the NHL had a guy sitting behind each net in a little booth and he would light the red light if the puck went in, this guy was called the "goal judge". There was no replay back then. But this blown call would not have stopped Ashbee getting leukemia .

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

👍 great post and excellent recall! Thx!

[@waynenoll1967]

Great story, love your channel.

[@DrewJEvans44]

Excellent video and tribute. Well done.

[@karlshuler1011]

A lot of people thought it was in bad taste and I'm one of them when Brian went on the ice like this. It was never allowed again.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Yeah it seems inappropriate

[@gillygil8747]

I watched that game. I proudly marched down Broad Street that spring day in 1973. Even hockey fans of passing interest appreciated Barry Ashbee for the way that he lived his life. Flyers Wives Fight For Lives. Thank you for mentioning Joe, Jimmy, Moose, Ed Van Impe and all the other greats.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thanks ... great memories you shared here.

[@tameimpala37]

I don't know much about ice hockey but I am finding these videos gripping.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

I'm glad you found us ... Thanks for your comment.

[@boujeeboujee9728]

When men were men RIP big guy

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

Not long after his playing days ended, they retired his number 4. Yet I know for a fact that he was not the last Flyers player to wear it. Although defenseman Larry Goodenough wore the number 5 throughout his career with the team, he actually wore 4 once (perhaps a couple of times) when he was called up from the minor leagues. When he made the team permanently, he switched to 5. Just an oddity that I remember. I was a huge Flyers fan as a teenager back in those days and I watched or listened to all their games. I remember those teams really well.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

very interesting ... your knowledge and recall are impressive!

[@stephenchristian5739]

AMAZING im a hockey freak (kings) since 1972 i never heard of Ash 'can' if i were owner i would permanently have a small little #4 on the flyer jersey & every year have all the rookie & hopefuls know about this true HOCKEY MAN & why #4 is on their sweater

[@don_vito7761]

Quiet tough-guy. Flyers/Hershey hero of mine

[@rosethefirechieftess1683]

Every day I am inspired

[@jimdavis6824]

I was a ten year old watching this great player, get hit by a player from my team, The New York Rangers. My heart broke for him. I didn't matter that he played for the Flyers... A great team, I might add, this was a very good and tough player. More importantly, he was a human being. Sad to say, I also watched the scary incident involving Dave Maloney and the one in "100 million chance", of detaching the retina of one of my favorite goaltenders, to this day, the great Bernie Parent just 5 years later. JD

[@TheTraktergirl]

I had no idea. What a strong man he was

[@MrDan708]

Ashbee defined the word "guts". This is a guy who simply wouldn't be denied his rightful place in an NHL lineup. He's still revered by us Flyers fans.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

can't believe he played through a crushed disc ... his wife had to literally drag him out of bed each morning

[@waynejohanson1083]

Got to admire a guy that never gave up on a NHL career. Played 14 games for the Bruins and worked himself back to the NHL 5 years later. How Ironic he got a stanley cup ring against the team that gave up on him.

[@rosslangille3956]

Barry was an alumni of Weston Collegiate Institute in Weston Ont, which is now consideredToronto. His picture hung in the main entrance of the School for as long as I was there. Sad to see a great hockey player struck down by such a devastating cruel disease.

[@josephstevano5905]

Absolutely great biography! La voix du narrateur est absolument parfaite (il parle très claire): si quelqu’un apprend l’anglais celle-ci serait une bonne vidéo à employer.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you!🙏. Made my day!

[@jpdornberger]

Loved Ashcan!

[@gary6754]

I'm a Philly fan who was born in 73. I always thought Ashbee was on the team when they won both cups. I never realized his career was over before the 74 cup

[@loumelillo1790]

No one deserves that

[@martindavis9930]

Would it be an example of irony that 🤔 his former teammate in Hershey, Dale Rolfe is the one who shot the puck that blinded him?

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Yes, it was quite an unfortunate coincidence ... Rolfe then got beaten to a pulp by Schultz ... bad situation all around.

[@ziggymorris8760]

Amazing channel

[@Pmccrsp]

Great job. Never knew he and Rolfe had been Hershey teammates.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

ahh .. you paid attention! ... thanks very much for watching!

[@RRaquello]

I remember watching the game where Ashbee was injured. It was a Sunday afternoon game at MSG, covered on TV in the US by NBC. The seventh game was the next Sunday.That was the game when Dave Schultz famously attacked Rangers defenseman Dale Rolfe, who had shot the puck that hit Ashbee. I always believed that Rolfe was intentionally targeted by the Flyers even though the shot that hit Ashbee was obviously an accident. That's how the Flyers played the game. The ironic thing, and it's barely touched on here, is that Rolfe and Ashbee were long time friends and had been teammates going back to their teenage years with the Barrie Flyers. This was mentioned on TV at the time and in the news reports that followed. Rolfe would have his own career ended in another terrible accident at MSG a couple of years later when his skate hit a rut in the ice and he suffered a severely broken leg. One last coincidence, when Mark Staal was hit in the eye with a puck and suffered his bad injury a few years back, he was standing in almost the same exact spot, the same end of ice at the same rink, and same two teams playing.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

great historical insights and contribution on this comment ... Rolfe felt horrible about what happened ... I think the biggest disgrace to hockey was the MSG ice ... How many careers were ruined by skating on "ruts" just so the basketball court could be a few degrees warmer the next night?

[@RRaquello]

@@ProHockeyAlumni If I remember (and it's a long time ago), the story was that the rut in the ice that Rolfe hit was actually all the way down to the bare concrete, which is unbelievable if true. He ended up suing MSG and I think got a cash settlement. The funny thing is, around this same time, the playing field at Shea Stadium was so bad, that several players got injured either in potholes in the outfield or where the grass just gave way and the player fell and suffered ankle sprains and similar injuries. That was New York in the 70's, LOL. I was a kid growing up in the city at the time and everything was turning to shit. One year , because Yankee Stadium was being refurbished, and the Giants Stadium hadn't opened yet, the Yankees, Mets, Jets and Giants were all using Shea Stadium, so you can imagine what the field looked like. Madison Square Garden didn't have that excuse. Ulf Nilsson was another player whose career got ruined by bad ice, though Denis Potvin got blamed. Nilsson himself said it was the ice.

[@Rockhound6165]

No, Rolfe was a target because he was a goon who went after Clarke.

[@miked6335]

@@Rockhound6165 Just curious, did you watch hockey back then?

[@RRaquello]

@@Rockhound6165 Rolfe a goon? Nah. He was a big, tall, skinny guy, You never saw him play if you think he was a goon.

[@100secondworkout]

This only happens because Garden Officials blew a call on a Rangers goal that never crossed the line and allowed the game to go into overtime where he was hit in the eye blocking a Dale Rolfe who Dave Schultz took care of in game 7 ! Barry was Loved by all of Philadelphia !

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Poor Rolfe was good friends with Ashbee ... His teammates let him take an epic beatdown.

[@jimburden6671]

Schultz was a coward . Ashbee was way tougher than that clown.

[@100secondworkout]

@@ProHockeyAlumni He wasn’t good friends with Dave Schultz! I was there ! Flyer Fans were out for BLOOD !

[@ernesto1391]

Interesting facts behind the scenes, I watched the Flyers as 10 year old. Win. They were tough and good.

[@miked6335]

@@ProHockeyAlumni I read somewhere that Rolfe told his teammates to stay out of it so as not to be thrown out of the game. Where were the linesmen?

[@EdBacon]

During the 60’s Barry Ashlee would visit our Milton Hershey student home, Habana. As a 12 year old I was in awe.

[@novaguy509]

This page is fantastic. Thank you for sharing.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you so much! Your support is greatly appreciated!

[@searchforthestrangler5034]

Those banners in Philadelphia are awesome. What a team and their impact on the NHL.

[@kale4543]

The premier channel for the serious hockey fan

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Thank you! Greatly appreciate that!

[@jamescaron6465]

I remember Barry Ashbee. I never kew he played in so much pain because he played it so hard and so tough. He was a textbook defenseman and played the game the way it should be played. Every team needs a guy like Barry Ashbee.

[@edmckenna4614]

I remember watching him play, and the game of the injury. He was hard-nosed and determined. Never took a shift off. Some players on the team now need to watch those games to see what it was like to really play hockey!

[@SammyPrairiechicken]

I was just a kid, but remember him playing because of the collar and then when he passed. That was a great Flyer line up in those days.

[@martindavis9930]

Notice how Dale Rolfe was the first Ranger to rush to the fallen Ashbie.

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

Yes, Dale and he were friends from way back ... terrible circumstance.