Fansided

20 hockey smiles that prove teeth are overrated

By Bruin Belisle

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 2: Drew Doughty
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 2: Drew Doughty /
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Canadian hockey players Bernie Parent (left) and Bill Clement (right) of the Philadelphia Flyers clasp hands as National Hockey League (NHL) President Clarence Campbell (1905 – 1984) (second left) presents them with the Stanley Cup after their victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo, New York, May 27, 1975. Teammate Bobby Clarke (second right) gives a big, gap-toothed grin nearby. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Canadian hockey players Bernie Parent (left) and Bill Clement (right) of the Philadelphia Flyers clasp hands as National Hockey League (NHL) President Clarence Campbell (1905 – 1984) (second left) presents them with the Stanley Cup after their victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo, New York, May 27, 1975. Teammate Bobby Clarke (second right) gives a big, gap-toothed grin nearby. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

8. Bobby Clarke

Rounding out the Philadelphia Flyers trio is one of the greatest players in NHL history. Bobby Clarke was as tough as they come. The leader of the “Broad Street Bullies” had a storied career in Philadelphia, where he still holds the records for most games played (1144) and most points (1210). He won two Stanley Cups for the Flyers in his career.

He also lost a few teeth in his time spent there. Clarke holding the Stanley Cup, flashing his toothless smile is one of the most iconic photos in hockey history. In an interview with The Hockey News, fellow Broad Street bully Joe Watson described an interesting tactic used by coach Fred Shero:

"“I remember getting into Boston, I picked up the Boston Herald and saw a quote that said, ‘This is anti-climactic, we just beat a better team to get to the final, and we’re gonna play for the final of the Stanley Cup.’ And I looked [at] who the hell could make a quote like that, and I saw Freddy Shero said that. So I look to Freddy and say, ‘How the hell can you make a statement like that?’ And he says, ‘Joe, we haven’t beaten them in seven years. We’ve got to try a little reverse psychology, get ’em thinking maybe they aren’t as good as they were.’”"

The Flyers went on to beat Bobby Orr’s Boston Bruins in six games, giving Bobby and Co. plenty of reason to flash those hockey smiles.

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