Bob Herpen
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pelle31lives.bsky.social
Bob Herpen
@pelle31lives.bsky.social
Former sportswriter, now medical writer, becoming a sports writer again without all the pressure. Neither the two shall meet. SJP '96, BC, '00, TU '06.
Pinned
Earlier this week, I spoke with former #Phantoms & #Flyers player and coach Riley Cote about the entire arc of his experiences with "The Devil's Lettuce," once forbidden amidst hockey's alcohol culture, now accepted in NHL locker rooms: tinyurl.com/mtds7u5v
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
Cool, calm and collected: Cote continues championing cannabis
Courtesy of CBC News  by Bob Herpen  Phanatic Hockey Editor  According to former Phantoms and Flyers player and assistant coach Riley Cote, ...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
Major points:

🔑Every kid should be shielded from losing someone they care about so young

🔑It's ridiculous to keep clinging to the Bullies

🔑We should let go of the idea that Pelle's #31 should be retired
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social
"It’s sad how longtime fans of this team are constantly sucked into the swirling vortex of nostalgia."

An epic meditation on life, fallen heroes & being able to move on with your memories.

The last thing I'll ever write about @nhl-flyers.bsky.social Pelle Lindbergh: tinyurl.com/3jwcmum5
The last thing I'll ever write about Pelle Lindbergh
by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor If you believe that words can hurt, that certain phrases once processed can leave a lasting psychic imp...
tinyurl.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
"It’s sad how longtime fans of this team are constantly sucked into the swirling vortex of nostalgia."

An epic meditation on life, fallen heroes & being able to move on with your memories.

The last thing I'll ever write about @nhl-flyers.bsky.social Pelle Lindbergh: tinyurl.com/3jwcmum5
The last thing I'll ever write about Pelle Lindbergh
by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor If you believe that words can hurt, that certain phrases once processed can leave a lasting psychic imp...
tinyurl.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
With a 4-goal third-period burst including 2 early PP strikes, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social tie a franchise record with their 11th straight win, 5-3.
Late in 2nd/early 3rd period, @edmontonoilers.bsky.social come unglued.
Darren Jensen earns his 1st NHL victory in his 2nd start.
#RIPPelle
November 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Tonight's @nhl-flyers.bsky.social backup is a trivia question of the highest order.
Do you know who it was?
Only ever dressed for this one game in the NHL.
@edmontonoilers.bsky.social asst coach Bob McCammon admits team lost focus in Tuesday loss to @capitals.bsky.social due to #RIPPelle news.
An emotionally brutal night may be in store for the Oilers, as they will be the Flyers' first opponent since Pelle Lindbergh's death. Philly has also won 10 straight. DARREN JENSEN will start in goal in place of Bob Froese, who's injured.
Marty McSorley was demoted to Halifax.
November 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM
"People think we get drunk together all the time. We don't," said @nhl-flyers.bsky.social defenseman Mark Howe.
"Even 4 years ago when I joined this team, it drank a lot more."
Potential Froese trade to LA nixed.
Bob McCammon, coach/GM here in 1983-84, now an @edmontonoilers.bsky.social asst coach.
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Two days after Pelle's accident, a magnanimous gesture by
@edmontonoilers.bsky.social refused by @nhl-flyers.bsky.social

"We don't want to be disrespectful," said Clarke. "But whether it's Thursday or Saturday or Sunday, we've got to start sometime."
Personal pics from
@phillysport.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
There are far more engaging and valuable methods to learn about Pelle.
His childhood love of the @nhl-flyers.bsky.social.
His relationship to Bernie.
His unreal 1984-85 Vezina Trophy season.
Head to YouTube, read Jay Greenberg books & tell stories.
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
The @nhl-flyers.bsky.social locker room drama can take a backseat.
40 years ago today, Pelle Lindbergh made a series of decisions that led to his demise & derailed a promising career.
There's a new doc about it. I went to see it.
It doesn't work:
tinyurl.com/uwu9jb6b
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
Phanatic Movie Review: The Swede of Philadelphia
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Let me start off by saying, there are only two things I didn’t k...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The @nhl-flyers.bsky.social locker room drama can take a backseat.
40 years ago today, Pelle Lindbergh made a series of decisions that led to his demise & derailed a promising career.
There's a new doc about it. I went to see it.
It doesn't work:
tinyurl.com/uwu9jb6b
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
Phanatic Movie Review: The Swede of Philadelphia
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Let me start off by saying, there are only two things I didn’t k...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Bob Herpen
Today marks 40 years since Pelle Lindbergh's fatal crash. Even now, his name still resonates with the Flyers, their fans, and those that knew him.

My feature with insight from Dave Poulin, Mark Howe, Jay Snider, Mike Keenan, Bob Clarke and more:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Why Pelle Lindbergh still resonates with the Flyers, 40 years after his death
The team continues to honor Lindbergh, who died in a drunk-driving crash in 1985.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Retelling the legend of @flyersalumni.bsky.social goalie Pelle Lindbergh isn't complete without talking about the decisions which led to his death 40 years ago this morning.
The Swede of Philadelphia” is a skip.
I paid $15.50 so you don’t have to: tinyurl.com/uwu9jb6b
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
Phanatic Movie Review: The Swede of Philadelphia
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Let me start off by saying, there are only two things I didn’t k...
tinyurl.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Hard to believe, Harry.
But Pastor Bob was 5-0-0 and still was dissatisfied with @flyersalumni.bsky.social at 11-2.
Although Mike Keenan favored Lindbergh it was headed for a more even split than previous season when #31 started 24 in a row between Dec. & Feb.
#RIPPelle
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
The Oilers & Flyers negotiated around Ron Low's waiver claim. The Flyers won't press their claim on him until they deal Bob Froese, with speculation it'll be to the Kings. Froese isn't happy behind Lindbergh. The Flyers could use Low until AHL goalies Hextall or Jensen are ready.
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I’m going to see The Swede of Philadelphia later today.
One guess why.
I am really not excited about doing so, but feel it's a duty to see what's up.
Was not impressed with the trailer.
Phanatic Movie Review to be posted tomorrow.
#RIPPelle
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
First up, a video synopsis of Pelle's final NHL start, 40 years ago tonight, Nov. 7, 1985.

Take some time today to watch it. Great snapshot of what hockey was like in the high-offense era.

@nhl-flyers.bsky.social 6, @chicagoblackhawks.bsky.social 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYJR...
Pelle Lindbergh's Last Game - November 07,1985 (Flyers vs Blackhawks)
YouTube video by Flyersice Club
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
In the run-up to the commemoration of a sad event in @nhl-flyers.bsky.social history -- the 40th anniversary of Pelle Lindbergh's crash and death -- going to post some things between now and the 15th.
Will have 2 pieces on the Phanatic: one Monday & one on Friday.
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Scratching this one off the bingo card early yet again.

First appearance on my TV of Gus, the 2nd most famous groundhog in PA:

November 4.

#HappyHolidaysRita
November 5, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Pierre was an institution not just @933wmmr.bsky.social
but in @cityofphiladelphia.bsky.social
44 years.
For those around the US, like Scott Shannon, Jim Ladd, Charles Laquidara, Norm N. Nite, Larry Lujack & others who defined rock radio.
Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve will never be right.
October 29, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Bob Herpen
Philly lost an icon today. What heartbreaking news.

Rest in peace, Good Citizen. Thank you for the good tunes and good vibes.

www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
Longtime WMMR host Pierre Robert has died at 70
The cause of death was not immediately known.
www.inquirer.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Bob Herpen
I'm going to nominate this as the most illegible scorecard I've ever scrawled.

Had to keep finding places to add innings. Not sure that worked real well.

But this is what 18 innings of World Series history looked like!

Or something like that
October 28, 2025 at 9:13 PM
On Thursday, new @flyersgoalscoredby.bsky.social winger Trevor Zegras could've written a new, grisly chapter in the book of his career.
On Saturday, he looked none the worse for wear with 2 goals.
The line between success and tragedy is sometimes as thin as a skate blade: tinyurl.com/e5sxerz6
The Fates were with Trevor Zegras, for now
From NHL.com By Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Lost in the narrow 2-1 defeat the Philadelphia Flyers suffered at the hands of the Ottawa...
tinyurl.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Zegras, whose last 2 years interrupted by injuries, could‘be had his life disrupted in a major way Thursday in Ottawa.
If not for the turn of a skate boot & blade.
More on the newest @nhl-flyers.bsky.social stroke of luck & recalling other unkind cuts: phanaticmag.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...
The Fates were with Trevor Zegras, for now
From NHL.com By Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Lost in the narrow 2-1 defeat the Philadelphia Flyers suffered at the hands of the Ottawa...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
You probably missed it last night.
For Trevor Zegras, one insignificant play could have led to significant consequences, if not for random chance.
Video from @tsnofficial.bsky.social
Recalling other gruesome & similar injuries suffered by @nhl-flyers.bsky.social before:
tinyurl.com/e5sxerz6
The Fates were with Trevor Zegras, for now
From NHL.com By Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Lost in the narrow 2-1 defeat the Philadelphia Flyers suffered at the hands of the Ottawa...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Gavin McKenna mentioned here, he’s got $700k of NIL money.

Porter Martone @nhl-flyers.bsky.social prospect & Sparty frosh, from all I’ve seen reported, “only” in line for something like $550k.
My first feature of the season for USCHO! We've moved away from weekly conference columns to free up writers to explore topics related to the conferences they cover. Big help from @b1ghockey.bsky.social, Notre Dame and Minnesota hockey.

www.uscho.com/2025/10/15/t...
www.uscho.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
And with the revelation that @phillies.bsky.social would indeed run back the entire coaching staff, I'm convinced more than ever that STHs need some backbone here.
Take out a full-page ad, a banner or something, boycotting their money until someone better suited is brought in as manager.
Good morning.

It would be most appropriate for the highest level @phillies.com season ticket holders to take out an ad boycotting the club unless Rob “Zombie” Thomson is fired.

That’s pretty much what it’s gonna take.
October 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
For some strange reason it hasn't hit any official @goldenknight-s.bsky.social on the left-wing social media hellhole.
But on the right-wing hellhole, the club made it official that former @nhl-flyers.bsky.social goaltender Carter Hart was signed to a PTO today.
October 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Bob Herpen
The Trump administration reinstated hundreds of CDC staffers who were mistakenly laid off last week due to what an HHS official confirmed was a “glitch in the system.”

www.healio.com/news/infecti...
CDC staffers fired due to ‘glitch’ are reinstated
The Trump administration has reinstated hundreds of CDC staffers who were mistakenly laid off last week due to what an HHS official confirmed to Healio was a “glitch in the system.” Among the reinstat...
www.healio.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM