Ed Van Impe
The hard-hitting defenceman who captained the Broad Street Bullies and won two Stanley Cups.
Ed Van Impe was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL for the Chicago Black Hawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Known for his physical, shot-blocking style, he was a key part of the Flyers' back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. Serving as the team's second captain from 1968 to 1973, Van Impe was a defensive cornerstone of the Broad Street Bullies era. He also finished third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting in his rookie season and played in three NHL All-Star Games. His career included a memorable and controversial hit on Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov during a 1976 exhibition game.
- Status
- Alive
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ed Van Impe's most defining moments came as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. After being selected from the Chicago Black Hawks in the expansion draft, he played eight and a half seasons with the Flyers, serving as the second captain in franchise history from 1968 to 1973. His forte was hitting and shot-blocking, as well as clearing opponents from the area of his team's net. He was part of the 'Broad Street Bullies' teams that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. One of the most controversial moments of his career occurred on January 11, 1976, when he delivered a devastating hit on Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov during an exhibition game against the Central Red Army team. The hit knocked Kharlamov unconscious and caused the Soviets to leave the ice in protest for 16 minutes before they returned after being warned they would lose their salary for the entire series. Van Impe was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 1993.
In Their Own Story
The Spectrum was electric on January 11, 1976, as the Flyers faced the Soviet Union's dominant Central Red Army team in Super Series '76. Ed Van Impe had just finished serving a hooking penalty. As he left the penalty box, he immediately placed a devastating hit on the Soviet Union's Valeri Kharlamov, knocking the latter unconscious and causing him to lie prone on the ice for a short while. No penalty was called. In protest, the Soviets left the ice midway through the first period. After a 17-minute delay, they finally returned after being warned that they would lose their salary for the entire series—$200,000—if they did not. It was a moment that defined Van Impe's reputation as a punishing defender and became a flashpoint in hockey history.
Reader's Guide
Ed Van Impe's career path shows how a player can rise through the minors to become a champion. He played his first five professional seasons with the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL before seeing his first NHL action with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966–67. He had a solid rookie season, amassing 19 points (eight goals and 11 assists) and finishing as the runner-up to Bobby Orr for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Left unprotected for the expansion draft, the Philadelphia Flyers picked him off the Black Hawks' roster. He played eight and a half seasons with the Flyers, serving as captain from 1968 to 1973. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Bobby Taylor for Gary Inness and cash on March 9, 1976, and retired following the 1976–77 season. Van Impe died in Vancouver on April 29, 2025, at the age of 84.
Did You Know?
- Van Impe finished third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting in 1966–67; the runner-up was Ted Hampson, not Bobby Orr.
- He served as the second captain in Philadelphia Flyers franchise history, from 1968 to 1973.
- His hit on Valeri Kharlamov during Super Series '76 knocked Kharlamov unconscious and caused a 16-minute protest delay.
- Van Impe played in the NHL All-Star Game three times: 1968, 1969, and 1974.
- He was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 1993.
Rookie Breakthrough and Calder Contention
Edward Charles Van Impe played his first five professional seasons with the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL before seeing his first NHL action with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966–67. He had a solid rookie season, amassing 19 points (eight goals and 11 assists) and finishing as the runner-up to Bobby Orr for the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year.
The Broad Street Bullies and Captaincy
Left unprotected for the expansion draft, the Philadelphia Flyers picked Van Impe off the Black Hawks' roster. He played eight and a half seasons with the Flyers and was one of the team's best defensive blueliners, serving as the second captain in franchise history, from 1968 to 1973. His forte was hitting and shot-blocking, as well as clearing opponents from the area of his team's net. He was part of the 'Broad Street Bullies' teams that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. He played in the NHL All-Star Game three times (1969, 1974, 1975) and was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 1993.
The Super Series Incident
On January 11, 1976, at the Spectrum, Van Impe's Flyers, as part of Super Series '76, played a memorable exhibition game against the Soviet Union's dominant Central Red Army team. Having just finished serving a hooking penalty, Van Impe left the penalty box and immediately placed a devastating hit on the Soviet Union's Valeri Kharlamov, knocking the latter unconscious and causing him to lie prone on the ice for a short while. Van Impe's hit was not penalized and it resulted in the Soviets leaving the ice midway through the first period in protest. After a 17-minute delay, the Soviets finally returned to the ice after they were warned that they would lose their salary for the entire series (200,000 USD) if they did not.
Final Seasons and Passing
Van Impe was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Bobby Taylor for Gary Inness and cash on March 9, 1976, and he retired following the 1976–77 season. Van Impe died in Vancouver on April 29, 2025, at the age of 84.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ed Van Impe's role with the Flyers?
As the primary play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports Philadelphia, he provided commentary for all home and away games throughout his four-decade tenure. His signature contribution includes narrating the team's four Stanley Cup Finals appearances and defining the identity of the Broad Street Bullies.
Why is Ed Van Impe important to Flyers culture?
Van Impe is essential because his unmistakable voice became synonymous with the team's history, bridging generations of fans from the expansion days to modern playoff runs. He effectively chronicled the franchise's evolution, making him a living link to its most celebrated moments.
What are Ed Van Impe's key achievements?
His most notable accomplishment is broadcasting all four of the Flyers' Stanley Cup Finals appearances, capturing the highs of their championship runs. He remains a legendary figure whose commentary defined the era of the Broad Street Bullies and beyond.