This Week In Bruins History: Fernie Flaman, One of the Forgotten Heroes

The Boston Bruins and the hockey world lost one of the all time greats on June 22, 2012. Fernie Flaman has never been a household name with the likes of Eddie Shore, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito or even Dit Clapper. However he was one of the toughest defencemen to skate against, which has been confirmed by legends such as Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau. He never lifted the cup over his head with the Bruins; however, when the Bruins traded him to the Maple Leafs during the 1951 season, he finally got his name etched on the Cup. Flaman never put up large numbers during his career, but his hard nosed play and shear intimidation earned him the honors of being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Flaman ended his 17 year career with 34 goals, 176 assists and 1,370 penalty minutes in 910 games. It wasn't Flaman's job to score goals. He was on the ice to stop his opponents from scoring by delivering one of the hardest body checks in the league and blocking shot after shot. After Flaman was done tenderizing his opponents they didn't even want to pass through his blue line knowing he was right there waiting for them. During the 1954-55 season he led the league in penalty minutes with 150 proving time after time how gritty he was.

After his NHL career came to an end, Flaman played for the AHL's Providence Reds where he was still the best defenceman on the team as a player/coach/general manager. He played three more years with the Reds until he decided to retire and take his knowledge to coaching only. He didn't have a lot of success as a coach until he took the head coaching position at Northeastern University. During his time with the Huskies he had a sub .500 record of 255-301–23, however he won the Hockey East Championship in 1988-89.

Fernie Flaman continued to live a life of hockey into his earlier eighties where he occasionally did scouting for the New Jersey Devils. He was a player, coach, general manager and scout, but most importantly an ambassador for the game of hockey.

Career Achievements:

5 time NHL all star (second team 1955, 1957, 1958)

Stanley Cup Champion (1951)

Bruins captain (1955-1961)

Hall of Fame inductee (1990)

4 Time Beanpot Champion as a coach for the Northeastern Huskies (1979, 1983, 1984, 1987)

Hockey East Champion as a coach for the Northeastern Huskies (1989)

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Ferdinand Charles Flaman (1927-2012)