Bobby Clarke
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Robert Earle Clarke OC (b. August 13, 1949 in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada), better known as Bobby Clarke, is a former NHL hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Overview
Clarke played in hockey leagues since the age of eight. He was a diabetic patient since a young age. Clarke did not want the Flyers organization to know he had diabetes, for fear that he would not be signed by the team. His diet antics would later become famous: He would drink two cans of soda and take three spoons of sugar before a game, add two bottles of orange juice during intermissions and pack chocolate bars and glucose gum hidden in his uniform's pockets, to prevent his sugar from going down from all the physical activity during the 60 minute games.
Clarke played for fifteen seasons in the NHL, from 1969 to 1984. He scored 358 goals and had 852 assists, all for the Flyers.
Clarke worked as an assistant coach for the Flyers, from 1979 to 1982. He is now the president and general manager of the Flyers.
In 1974 and 1975, he helped the team win back-to-back Stanley Cups.
Awards
- Won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (1972)
- Won the Hart Memorial Trophy (1973, 1975, 1976)
- Won the Lester B. Pearson trophy (1973)
- Won the Frank J. Selke trophy (1983)
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- In 1981 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Clarke's best friend is Alan Eagleson, one time player agent and former president of the NHLPA who was convicted of fraud and stealing from former clients and also of collaborating with certain NHL franchise owners against his own clients. Eagleson is also the only person to be stripped of the Order of Canada.