6. Best NHL draft picks in history: Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers
As the Philadelphia Flyers prepared to head into the 70s trying to have a new identity as a franchise. They wanted to be known as a tough, defensive team that won games by being physical from the 1st Period all the way to the end.
Back in the 1969 NHL Draft, the Flyers selected center Bobby Clarke 17th overall to usher in the famous era of the “Broad Street Bullies” in the City of Brotherly Love. A team that focused on making their presence felt with every hit and penalty they incurred straight to enjoying many victories at home and on the road.
Clarke was a big part of that as he spent his entire 15-year career with the Flyers and led them as team captain to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975, respectively. Clarke scored over 1,200 goals for the Flyers during his tenure and even earned the famous Hart Trophy three times for being the most valuable player on the team.
Once Clarke’s playing days were over, he immediately got into the front office style of things and became general manager of the Flyers for over 20 years. He helped continue that mindset on the Flyers and helped bring them to two Stanley Cup Finals but it didn’t yield the results the franchise wanted as they lost in both appearances. Regardless, Clarke was as iconic as they come and will forever be remembered as the best draft pick in the rich history of the Flyers.