Broad Street Bullies: The Story Behind Philly's Most Legendary Hockey Team
Before Gritty, before "Weekend at Bernie Parent's" shirts, before any of it — there were the Broad Street Bullies. If you want to understand why Philly hockey fans talk about toughness the way other cities talk about championships, this is where it starts.
Who were the Broad Street Bullies?
The Broad Street Bullies were the Philadelphia Flyers teams of the early-to-mid 1970s, nicknamed for their aggressive, physical style of play and for Broad Street, the road that runs straight to the arena where they played. Under head coach Fred Shero, the Flyers built their identity around intimidation and grit as much as skill — outworking and outhitting opponents rather than simply out-skating them.
Why are they called the "Bullies"?
The nickname wasn't a compliment when it started. Sportswriters coined "Broad Street Bullies" as criticism of the Flyers' willingness to fight, hit, and physically wear down opponents over the course of a game. Philly, being Philly, took the insult and turned it into a badge of honor — a name the team and its fans have worn with pride for 50 years instead of running from it.
Did the Broad Street Bullies actually win championships?
Yes — and this is the part that separates the Bullies from being just a tough team with a good nickname. The Flyers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, becoming the first expansion-era NHL team to win a championship at all, let alone two in a row. The physical style wasn't just for show; it was a genuinely effective strategy that intimidated opponents into mistakes and penalties.
What was the Flyers–Red Army game?
One of the most famous moments tied to the Bullies era happened on January 11, 1976, when the Flyers faced HC CSKA Moscow — the legendary "Red Army" team, one of the most dominant club sides in hockey history — in an exhibition game at the Spectrum. The game turned physical early, and CSKA's coaching staff pulled the team off the ice in protest of the Flyers' hitting, briefly threatening to end the game entirely before being convinced to return. The Flyers went on to win 4-1, becoming the only NHL team to beat the Red Army squad that season — a result Philly still brings up whenever anyone questions whether the Bullies' style actually worked against elite competition.
Why does the nickname still matter today?
Because it's not just history — it's a personality trait the city has claimed. "Broad Street Bullies" set the template for how Philly wants its hockey team (and honestly, most of its sports teams) to play: physical, relentless, and completely unbothered by being disliked outside the city limits. Every era of Flyers hockey since has been measured against that identity in some way.
Rep the Bullies era
The Broad Street Bullies are one of the cornerstones of Philly sports slang and identity — right up there with Trust the Process and Lebroad Street — and we cover where it fits into the bigger picture in our full guide to Philly sports nicknames and slang. Check out our Philly hockey collection for gear that carries that same orange-and-black attitude, and browse more Philly sports history on the Reign Report.