AHL introduces all star honorary captains

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. – Just prior to the 2012 AHL all star game, the league honored honorary captains and former Philadelphia Flyers Bob Clarke and Bill Barber. The league also inducted four new members, Joe Crozier, Zello Toppazzini, Jack Gordon and John Stevens, into the AHL Hall of Fame.

Barber started his professional career with the AHL’s Richmond Robins before playing 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, winning two Stanley Cups. He later coached their AHL affiliates in Hershey and Philadelphia, leading the Phantoms to a Calder cup championship in 1998.
Barber reflected on being asked to captain the Western Conference All Stars.
“It’s an honor,” Barber said. “The AHL has been very close to my heart. I was a player in 72 with Richmond and went to the NHL from there. I’m honored and humbled to have this opportunity to be here as part of the AHL All Star game and induction of four new members into the Hall of Fame.”
Prior to his introduction, the league played several clips from his distinguished career.
“I was shocked (when I saw the clips),” Barber said. “I hope I can get a CD to give to my grandkids. There were some clips I haven’t seen before. The one that jumped out at me was the winning goal in game four (of the Stanley cup finals) against Boston. It’s stuck with me forever. I’m a lucky man to be around a lot of good people.”
Clarke played his entire 15-year career with the Flyers. He was the Flyers General Manager for 19 seasons and the Hockey Hall of Famer currently serves as Senior Vice President of the Flyers.
“Not many X-players get a chance to captain an all star game,” Clarke said.   “It’s a high honor for guys like myself and Bill Barber to be here.”
Clarke is a soft-spoken, humble athlete who shuns the spotlight.
“The sports world likes humble athletes more than they like the loud mouths,” Clarke said. “I think the success you have is due to good teammates and good coaches. You don’t do it on your own. “I don’t have any reasons to brag about myself.”
Many would disagree. Former Flyer Dave Poulan made the trip to Atlantic City to see his teammates honored.
“It’s great,” Poulan said. “Clarkey was one of my first roommates and Billy was my first left winger. It’s fun to see them up there. Clarkey is the one constant in the (Flyer’s) organization since 67. It’s a magnificent organization to watch from the inside and the outside.”
To read more about the 2012 AHL Hall of Fame inductees and past inductees, go to www.ahlhalloffame.com .
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com Photographer Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com