Pelle Lindbergh

by Dan Morency on Nov 15, 2009 12:32 PM EST

Great article today on the former Flyer goalie.

I still remember him from the 81 series against Adirondack.

Lindbergh Story

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That was a great article.

I’m particularly intrigued by the fact that the Flyers have unofficially retired his number, while not actually raising it to the rafters. A political decision? Not enough games? Maybe they will let someone wear his number down the line… I hope not though.

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Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 16, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions

While it doesn’t actually discuss the number being pulled out of circulation, the most detailed article I know of describing what happened and the how the Flyers still feel about it is actually an official article from the Flyers… they wrote a recap of the memorial ceremony they had the game right after the accident as part of the series they did on memories from the Spectrum. You may have seen it before, but here’s the link just in case. Given the emotion that article says they still feel about it, I don’t think that number will ever be worn by another Flyer.

Spectrum Memories: Pelle Lindbergh memorial

It’s very possible that the Flyers may have wanted to retire the number, but faced opposition from anti-drunk driving groups. There’s still plenty of people with internet petitions calling for the number to be officially retired. Who knows, maybe they’ll finally do it next year for the 25th anniversary of the crash.

by DragonGirl0583 on Nov 16, 2009 3:47 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, that was my thinking re: why they haven’t retired it yet. People are very sensitive about that issue, but in this case, what would they really be against? Having his number hanging from the roof would be a constant reminder of what driving drunk does. So when kids go to the Wach, see 31 hanging from there, and start asking questions, MADD has yet another poster child for what NOT to do.

On an aside, I still can believe an MSM guy went on DNL and complained about the Angels pouring champagne and beer on their memorial to Nick Adenhart.

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 16, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Having his number hanging from the roof would be a constant reminder of what driving drunk does.

I agree with you completely, but I think that it would have been very hard to have that perspective right after the crash, with the horrible images of the mangled porsche scattered across the papers. At the time, it was easier to have a mindset of “he did this to himself, and doesn’t deserve the reward”. (Going by what my dad and brother who was 9 say, anyway. As I stated before, I was 2 and didn’t experience it first hand.) Almost 25 years later, the distance from the horror changes everything, and we can see it with different eyes. I do think the voices calling to retire it will get much louder before the beginning of next season.

by DragonGirl0583 on Nov 16, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Oh certainly. And looking back, I think it was a good idea to wait. Those who say he doesn’t deserve the reward are fine. No qualms with them. My hope is just that his number isn’t absent from the rafters for political reasons. Too short of a career, not enough awards (hand in hand), etc. are fine reasons.

I hope people do start talking about it next year, since it would definitely be the best time to do it.

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 16, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

any chance the Lindbergh 31 is viewed by players as something of a Jinx, it is a goalie number and goalies can be very superstitious

by chrislanci on Nov 18, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Ashbee

Barry Ashbee has his number retired and that had nothing to do with is stats it was done to honor Mr. Ashbee after an injury prematurely ended his career. Serving as a precedent I don’t see why the Flyer’s wouldn’t retire Pelle’s number.

by chrislanci on Nov 16, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions