Philadelphia Flyers Fly Earlier

[Sctvman]

The National Hockey League has been at a set number of six teams since the 1942-43 season. The New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks, and Detroit Red Wings have provided a stable, close together core for the league.

Meanwhile, there are significant changes afoot as we head into the post-World War II era. Even though many of the players are against it, multiple owners want to expand the league to add a 7th franchise or even a second to go to 8 franchises.

With hockey being mostly a northern US/Canadian sport, there are few cities which are large enough and have the ice space for a potential expansion franchise. Could New York support a 2nd franchise? The Americans could not keep a following and folded after the 1941-42 season.

Other cities which are interested in a possible franchise are Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh, all staunch AHL cities. But one city which may rise above the top is Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is the third largest city in the country (at the time). It has a fervent sports culture, with two baseball teams, the Eagles in the NFL, two professional basketball teams, college basketball at multiple universities throughout the city, and big-time college football.

They have been rumored for a NHL team before. In February 1946 Len Peto (a former Montreal Canadiens board member) announced plans to build a 20,000-seat arena on the site of the old Baker Bowl at a cost of $2.5 million. A team would play at Convention Hall in Philadelphia, where an ice sheet will be built. There is also a chance a new arena will be built

[Nickphillies]

Let's go!!