TORONTO -- After NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke about each of the honorees, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero went to the podium to speak about his late father, Fred, who was a legendary coach of the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.
Ray Shero began by talking about what his father was like. He quoted Bobby Clarke’s eulogy from when Fred passed away in 1990.
He said his father was always preaching the importance of education. He said when others were threatening to leave for the WHA, Fred threatened to leave for law school. Ray also said Fred claimed to be the only card-carrying member of the New York Public Library on the New York Rangers' roster.
Shero talked about his father’s influence by Russian hockey. He talked about his father’s trip to Russia shortly after winning the first Stanley Cup, because he didn’t want to become complacent. He said Fred enjoyed the trip, but his mother cried through the entire three-week trip.
Ray Shero also told a great story about going fishing on Bernie Parent’s fishing boat with Fred, Bernie and his brother. Fred was sick and below deck, but when he told Parent that he was feeling ill, Bernie asked him if he remembered all those hard drills he had made the players take part in, and then said, “Well, screw you,” and they kept fishing.
Next he thanked everyone in the Flyers organization who was able to come to Toronto for the induction, and asked them to stand so he could recognize them for their part in Fred Shero’s career and for coming to honor his father.
. Was very impressed with him and was great to see all the Flyers there and how so many talked about that team .
