Oct. 28, 2023
Insights From A Lifetime As The Voice Of The Philadelphia Flyers With Lou Nolan
Lou Nolan, who's been the voice of the Flyers since 1967, joins the show to share his insights from the game that he has watched evolve firsthand. We dive into how he has been instrumental in crafting moments that have left fans on the edge of their seats, and the key factors that play a crucial role in building a successful franchise.
We dive deep into the nuances of coaching, calling out the Kevin Costner and 'chameleon' coaches, and their adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of hockey. We also appreciate the power of fans, and especially the electrifying atmosphere that can be created by fanbases as faithful as Philadelphia's. Additionally, we take a nostalgic trip down the memory lane, reminiscing about the legacy of the Flyers and Lou's enduring connection with the fans.
Finally, we discuss the many ways to be involved in the beautiful game of hockey, beyond just playing it. Lou shares his journey from being a Southwest Philly kid to becoming a revered public address announcer, illustrating that there's more than one way to leave a mark in the sport. Whether you're a fan of the Flyers or not, this episode is a treasure trove of insights from the game of hockey!
Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!
We're powered by NHL Sense Arena!
NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed specifically to improve hockey sense and IQ for both players and goalies. Experience the next generation of off-ice training in VR with over 100+ drills and training plans curated from top coaches and players.
Use Code "HockeyNeverStops" at Hockey.SenseArena.com to score $50 off an annual plan!
Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!
Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!
Follow Us On Social Media:
00:52 - NHL Athletes' Evolution and Success
13:36 - Coaching, Fans, and Team Culture Importance
20:06 - Flyers' Legacy and Fan Connection Reflection
27:10 - Reflections on a Hockey Career
33:29 - Find Kids Play Hockey
WEBVTT
00:00:08.330 --> 00:00:16.428
Our guest today has been with an organization since day one in the NHL and they have seen a lot of hockey, so you're really going to enjoy this.
00:00:16.428 --> 00:00:32.487
I'm not going to lie to you, it's a little flyer centric, but I promise you all listening, no matter what NHL team you root for, you're going to enjoy this episode because we really dive in with the questioning on what makes NHL athletes great, what makes games so great, what makes mites on ice so great.
00:00:32.487 --> 00:00:38.344
So you're going to enjoy this one, I promise, no matter where you are, and if you don't email me at Lee, I'm sorry.
00:00:38.344 --> 00:00:46.286
Team at ourkidsplayhockeycom Also want to remind you if you want to support us and support the show, make sure you check out our partners Hockey Wrap Around.
00:00:46.286 --> 00:00:57.085
They have the top selling off ice hockey training aid in the Hockey Wrap Around they also have a patented, beautiful portable dryer for your equipment that attaches right to the stick, called the dry stick.
00:00:57.085 --> 00:00:59.186
They are good friends of ours.
00:00:59.186 --> 00:01:05.379
For some of you might know obvious reasons, but we really believe in that product and they are a trust first fan, first lead business.
00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:14.671
So if you head over to hockeywrapperoundcom, use OKPH at checkout, you're going to get a discount on their number one selling hockey wrap around blade protector.
00:01:14.671 --> 00:01:16.787
There is nothing else out there that compares to it.
00:01:16.787 --> 00:01:21.111
Make sure you check that out again, hockeywrapperoundcom, okph at checkout.
00:01:21.111 --> 00:01:28.030
But without further ado, let's get you to the episode with our guest today, lou Nolan, who has been with his organization since day one.
00:01:28.030 --> 00:01:36.745
Here we go Hello, hockey friends and families around the world, and welcome to another edition of Our Kids Play Hockey.
00:01:36.745 --> 00:01:38.286
I'm Lee Elias, with Mike Benelli.
00:01:38.286 --> 00:01:52.750
Our guest today has witnessed eight Stanley Cup Finals, two NHL All-Star Games, multiple outdoor games, the NCAA frozen for the NHL entry draft and has been around the NHL players, executives, coaches and fans since 1967.
00:01:52.750 --> 00:01:57.370
He is the author of If these Walls Could Talk, which I have my signed copy right here.
00:01:57.370 --> 00:02:02.311
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Philadelphia Flyers Public Address announcer Lou Nolan to the show.
00:02:02.311 --> 00:02:04.343
Lou, welcome to Our Kids Play Hockey.
00:02:05.206 --> 00:02:06.469
Well, thanks, thanks very much.
00:02:06.469 --> 00:02:08.604
I'm glad to be here and this should be a lot of fun.
00:02:09.727 --> 00:02:10.489
It's going to be fun.
00:02:10.489 --> 00:02:11.572
I'm not going to lie to you, man.
00:02:11.572 --> 00:02:18.307
It's a little surreal that that voice is speaking to me, because it's a voice that I've been hearing my entire life as a Flyers fan.
00:02:18.307 --> 00:02:20.548
I want to assure the entire audience as well.
00:02:20.548 --> 00:02:30.686
We have a lot of Flyers fans that listen, but I promise the non-Flyers fans, you're going to enjoy this episode because, as we do, we're going to dive into the game a lot and lose really amazing experience.
00:02:30.686 --> 00:02:34.008
Lou, again, you've literally been with the Flyers since year one.
00:02:34.008 --> 00:02:39.862
There are not many people in the NHL who can say that with a franchise as tenured as the Philadelphia Flyers.
00:02:39.862 --> 00:02:46.293
Which allows me to ask a really unique question Over the lifespan of the team, the highs and the lows.
00:02:46.293 --> 00:02:53.723
In your opinion, what are the key factors to a franchise succeeding but also floundering Hockey?
00:02:53.742 --> 00:03:01.514
players management luck, the draft pre-agency things of that nature.
00:03:01.514 --> 00:03:12.099
The team that started here was a bunch of guys that were I'd love to see the average age of the team that we started with in 67.
00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:25.831
I don't know, but I remember the guys that was around them I did some traveling then and a good bunch of people, but they were not kids, they were cast-offs that were sort of allowed to be drafted by their own teams.
00:03:25.831 --> 00:03:32.752
The NHL draft then was just submit your players who can be drafted and you go ahead and do them.
00:03:32.752 --> 00:03:33.662
As opposed to now.
00:03:33.662 --> 00:03:40.854
You pay so much for a franchise that Gary Bettman has ensured them that they'll be competitive.
00:03:40.854 --> 00:03:44.649
You look at Vegas.
00:03:44.649 --> 00:03:45.730
They pull a great draft.
00:03:45.730 --> 00:03:49.388
Their GM makes a few deals where I won't draft your guy.
00:03:49.388 --> 00:03:57.710
If you give me this guy and make some deals there, get some players and do some smart things and you're in the finals.
00:03:57.710 --> 00:04:13.971
It's an amazing, amazing sport From a team that was fairly mature that's a good word to a team now, which we have, which is fairly young, except for one or two people that changed the average a little bit.
00:04:13.971 --> 00:04:15.705
This is a bunch of kids now.
00:04:15.705 --> 00:04:24.459
I've seen it from guys that I was younger then to a team that won the cup that I was.
00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:34.622
Their age the same Hanging out was different to a team now where they're all kids except for a few guys and they're even younger than me.
00:04:34.622 --> 00:04:36.569
It's different.
00:04:37.721 --> 00:04:38.004
Lou.
00:04:38.004 --> 00:04:46.007
I had the privilege of working at the NHL during the time when the 40th anniversary was going on and they did that documentary I remember on the cutting room floor.
00:04:46.007 --> 00:04:49.523
I won't say it, but just to give the listeners an idea how much things have changed.
00:04:49.523 --> 00:04:58.050
Hall of Fame player back in the 70s and early 80s was saying that they started doing off ice training quotations here.
00:04:58.050 --> 00:05:04.252
This is a great shot of him with a cigarette training in the training room smoking between reps.
00:05:04.252 --> 00:05:13.069
You could say a lot has changed in terms of the athletes and the demeanor of athletes over that time period, but I never forgot that video.
00:05:13.069 --> 00:05:13.730
It was crazy.
00:05:14.221 --> 00:05:14.822
That's so true.
00:05:14.822 --> 00:05:20.889
People arrived at training camp and they were to get in shape.
00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:23.408
They arrived at camp to get in shape.
00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:27.367
Now that they arrive in camp to get in shape, guess what?
00:05:27.367 --> 00:05:28.009
They're cut.
00:05:28.009 --> 00:05:32.663
They've got to stay all year and they've got to stay in condition because somebody's going to take your job.
00:05:34.843 --> 00:05:45.612
That's, I mean, your lifespan of the game is really one of the reasons we love having guys like you on is because we get to hear really just the evolution of the player.
00:05:45.612 --> 00:06:06.790
One of the things that's always a common theme with us and anybody we talk to from NHL perspective with the players, is the quality of the athlete, what the person does, and I was just wondering, from your perspective, what do you think some of the qualities of these players you've seen over all these years spanning in NHL?
00:06:06.790 --> 00:06:15.093
What are the similar qualities that you see in these players that are succeeding the young, the old, the veterans, the new guys?
00:06:15.093 --> 00:06:24.031
Obviously, off ice training is one thing and not taking a cigarette before the second period has probably changed.
00:06:24.031 --> 00:06:30.151
Just what are some of the qualities you see in the young men that you're dealing with?
00:06:30.151 --> 00:06:33.629
Because you have to interview these guys, you have to get to know them, you're getting their back stories.
00:06:33.629 --> 00:06:42.130
I mean, what's some of the qualities that some of our players that are going to be listening to this might take away from your experiences with the players you work with?
00:06:43.543 --> 00:06:46.954
Well, I'll tell you, mike, don't be afraid to work, would be number one.
00:06:46.954 --> 00:06:59.170
And work all the time, skate hard, listen to your coach, be ready to go, be able to shoot the puck, work on your skating, work on your shooting.
00:06:59.170 --> 00:07:01.906
Remember that the puck is at the end of your stick.
00:07:01.906 --> 00:07:04.026
So it's a different perspective.
00:07:04.026 --> 00:07:09.307
Gordy Howe used to say, when I saw the net, same thing with Gretzky.
00:07:09.307 --> 00:07:14.172
I would know that it was about two feet, three feet away from me as far as the angles go.
00:07:14.172 --> 00:07:22.146
So you know, understand that, understand that and be a team player, and the game's not about you, the game's about your team winning.
00:07:23.389 --> 00:07:38.473
Yeah, you probably see that all the time, right when you talk to your, when you talk to these guys, you know, I think hockey is a unique, a unique group of individuals where you don't really hear Maybe it's creeping in a little bit, but you don't really hear the me and I did this and you know I accomplished this.
00:07:38.473 --> 00:07:40.064
I mean, can you talk about?
00:07:40.064 --> 00:07:46.480
You know, when you're speaking with these players that are coming in, I mean that's, you know, that's unique, I think, in the sport of hockey.
00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:47.985
Do you agree?
00:07:47.985 --> 00:07:48.146
Or?
00:07:49.605 --> 00:07:52.480
I do, I do, mike, and I think that they have to think that way.
00:07:52.480 --> 00:08:06.973
There are, there are some now that think the game is about them and there have been some guys down through the years that have fought that that once they've been around a couple of years, realize that it's not because of.
00:08:06.973 --> 00:08:11.057
Maybe they sit for a couple of periods or do something like that and don't get in the game.
00:08:11.057 --> 00:08:13.725
But you know it's.
00:08:13.725 --> 00:08:16.351
You got to have the right mental attitude.
00:08:16.351 --> 00:08:20.208
You know you got to be ready to work and to to be able to.
00:08:20.208 --> 00:08:25.480
You know you don't shoot for the goal if you got a shot for another guy there, if you got a better angle or something of that nature.
00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:27.101
But you still got.
00:08:27.101 --> 00:08:28.685
Still see, guys look like young guys.
00:08:28.685 --> 00:08:34.933
If you watch the first couple of games they might pass up a shot which they should take to make a pass.
00:08:34.933 --> 00:08:37.903
So you got to do both.
00:08:37.903 --> 00:08:44.315
But scoring goals is the name of the game just giving the puck to somebody with an opportunity Right.
00:08:45.542 --> 00:08:46.443
You're bringing up some good points.
00:08:46.443 --> 00:08:56.427
I'm taking notes here and one of the things that you remind me of the first thing you said is don't be afraid to work Right, and one of the cool things about you know where you're at and the position of the game is.
00:08:56.427 --> 00:08:57.870
You know, and me too and Mike also.
00:08:57.870 --> 00:09:07.873
We get to watch a lot of NHL warmups when we want to, and one of the things I noticed when watching NHL warmups is these guys are always, even in the warmup, shooting to score.
00:09:07.873 --> 00:09:09.601
You know, and Mike and I do this.
00:09:09.601 --> 00:09:10.644
You go to a youth game.
00:09:10.644 --> 00:09:12.407
In the warmups you hear two things.
00:09:12.407 --> 00:09:16.572
You hear pucks off goalies, helmets and the backboards getting hit by the puck, right.
00:09:16.572 --> 00:09:42.472
You go to an NHL warmup, every puck is in the net or off the post, right, and when they miss the net they give a little grimace, like you know, I missed and one of the things, especially to our listening audience and especially the youth hockey warmups, remind your children a always be shooting to score, whether it's a practice, a game, a warmup right and then shoot with an intention right.
00:09:42.472 --> 00:09:46.740
If you're warming up the goalie, warm up the goalie, you know.
00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:50.125
I mean, don't just shoot at the goalie's head and do 16 moves.
00:09:50.125 --> 00:09:52.089
It's like it's like a common problem.
00:09:52.089 --> 00:09:54.913
I see in youth hockey that I think more coaches should be teaching.
00:09:54.913 --> 00:10:01.989
But the other thing, lou, is just the the the eye of the NHL athlete, of I'm putting the puck in the net.
00:10:01.989 --> 00:10:03.912
I always found that to be astounding, have you?
00:10:03.912 --> 00:10:04.633
Have you seen that?
00:10:04.633 --> 00:10:05.754
Have you experienced that as well?
00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:12.145
Well, as I said earlier, you know the name of the game is to score, right it's.
00:10:12.145 --> 00:10:16.630
It's not to impress somebody with your prowess.
00:10:16.630 --> 00:10:20.816
In the warmup you have to be prepared for everything.
00:10:20.816 --> 00:10:31.041
If they're putting in the work in the weight room, you know your head on the ice and you might ride a bicycle for a while there, do these things at the pro level just to get the muscles ready, right.
00:10:31.041 --> 00:10:38.480
And then when you're out there, you know you start out with preparing the goalie and that's the first part of the warmup is preparing the goalie.
00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:42.125
You know he'll come in and that take a few shots, take a skate.
00:10:42.125 --> 00:10:49.395
The other guy will come in, he takes a skate and then the guy that's going to play is in there for maybe you know five, eight minutes.
00:10:49.395 --> 00:10:51.865
But at that point it changes the second time.
00:10:51.865 --> 00:10:59.027
It changes where you start getting your line rushes and people do that Instead of just you know single pucks here and there and everything else.
00:10:59.027 --> 00:11:06.325
But you have to have the eye, you have to be ready and you know I think you're absolutely right it has to be.
00:11:06.325 --> 00:11:09.349
You know you have to be prepared.
00:11:09.349 --> 00:11:14.336
You have to shoot with a reason, with something in your brain that says I'm shooting here for this reason.
00:11:14.336 --> 00:11:18.788
I've been told the goalie has a has a slow glove, which none of them have anymore.
00:11:18.788 --> 00:11:22.341
These guys are all really good, or you know.
00:11:22.341 --> 00:11:28.052
They're stick side there's going to be a hole, and when you go up with the stick there's going to be a hole somewhere.
00:11:28.052 --> 00:11:32.629
So if you get the hole or hit the pipe as you say, it works out okay.
00:11:32.629 --> 00:11:33.030
You know.
00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:41.182
Yeah, it is amazing how players evolve and that involves goal tenders and then goalies evolve and that involves players and that's one of the beautiful parts of the game.
00:11:41.182 --> 00:11:48.094
And, as you said, we're reaching a point now where they're both so good that sometimes I wonder if people understand the skill level.
00:11:48.094 --> 00:11:55.350
Another thing you said was you know the way over me mentality, which is something we preach here and we always like to remind everybody.
00:11:55.350 --> 00:11:59.034
This is something that can be taught pretty young, right?
00:11:59.034 --> 00:12:01.607
A lot of people don't seem to realize that you can teach.
00:12:01.607 --> 00:12:04.480
It's more than just saying, hey, you got to work together, right?
00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:13.943
Coaches can can implement that type of strategy and that type of mentality into their youth hockey teams of how important team play is, and I just wrote that note here team play can be taught.
00:12:13.943 --> 00:12:20.193
So my question to you is because at the pro level and this is another misunderstanding it's a job.
00:12:20.193 --> 00:12:22.182
I think sometimes people forget it's fun.
00:12:22.182 --> 00:12:31.460
We play a children's game, but it is a job Absolutely, and some NHL coaches take probably correctly take the approach of it's not my job to teach you the game.
00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:34.062
It is your job to perform at this level.
00:12:34.062 --> 00:12:38.448
So I'm curious if if with you know you've been around for every coach they've had.
00:12:38.448 --> 00:12:48.985
If you've seen things that you've loved about coaches in that team building realm or processes of coaches within the organization that you thought, wow, that's really great and that person found success.
00:12:50.041 --> 00:12:52.384
I have and you know I'll tell you it means.
00:12:52.384 --> 00:12:57.951
It means something when management hires a coach for a particular reason.
00:12:57.951 --> 00:13:03.336
What we've done here with our team and Philly is, you know we changed management, total management.
00:13:03.336 --> 00:13:06.681
You know it's from from the chairman, the chairman on down.
00:13:06.681 --> 00:13:09.683
Everybody is different in the last two years, including the coach.
00:13:09.683 --> 00:13:12.206
So what's a mandate is out.
00:13:12.206 --> 00:13:21.774
There is why, where you're headed with it, you know you're honest with the fans, which the guys have been and we're not going to rebuild and we're not going to retool.
00:13:21.774 --> 00:13:26.441
You know it helps and it helps the coach in what he has to do.
00:13:26.441 --> 00:13:32.609
So there's a little bit of teaching there now, at this level, some teach more than others.
00:13:32.609 --> 00:13:36.693
Some coaches are hired to coach a team that's ready.
00:13:36.693 --> 00:13:40.946
Some coaches are hired to coach a team that is learning.
00:13:40.946 --> 00:13:45.725
So and early in the season now you know you've got all these kids.
00:13:45.725 --> 00:13:46.988
They went through the system.
00:13:46.988 --> 00:13:52.215
The guys that were in Lehigh went through the system with Lappie and he teaches the same system there.
00:13:52.215 --> 00:13:58.662
They're teaching here has to, otherwise they're going to really be terrible, the big passing and there'll be nobody there.
00:13:58.662 --> 00:14:09.188
So you know that all has to work together and some coaches are ready, some coaches teach and some coaches don't, and they're not around for long.
00:14:09.755 --> 00:14:12.985
You know, when I think of coaches, I think there's really two types of coaches.
00:14:12.985 --> 00:14:16.652
There's the Kevin Costner coach, who's the same coach in every movie.
00:14:16.652 --> 00:14:18.938
He's in right, but he does it really, really well.
00:14:18.938 --> 00:14:20.081
And that goes to that point.
00:14:20.081 --> 00:14:24.184
You were saying that if a team's in a certain position, that might be the guy that might be the role.
00:14:24.184 --> 00:14:48.086
But there's also chameleon coaches, right Coaches that can adapt to certain situations, and one of the big changes I've seen, as you just alluded to, is just that the mental side of the athlete has changed a lot, especially over the last 10 years, where mental health, mental fitness these are factors now that coaches have to take into account and the best ones do yeah, the best ones make room for that and understand that.
00:14:48.086 --> 00:14:48.967
That's a change.
00:14:48.967 --> 00:14:52.966
The point I'm making is that it doesn't matter if you are well-tenured or a newer coach.
00:14:52.966 --> 00:14:57.225
You have to constantly be evolving as a coach in order to be effective.
00:14:58.434 --> 00:15:06.208
That's true and you know coaches learn, just as players learn, as announcers learn, as managers learn.
00:15:06.208 --> 00:15:10.923
You know you can get burned by another manager and easy it happens.
00:15:10.923 --> 00:15:11.245
Easy.
00:15:11.245 --> 00:15:13.008
Some are better than others.
00:15:13.008 --> 00:15:17.225
Some are going to be patient, some are going to, you know, pull a trigger on something.
00:15:17.225 --> 00:15:31.125
If an individual is in a case where they've got to win or they're gone, the tendency is to go for a lot of people, a lot of players that might be good for a year, and not go down the road and stick around.
00:15:31.125 --> 00:15:53.346
What they're doing here if I can take us to here, if it's okay to do that is these guys are being patient with players while they learn and while the players learn and get better at things and get used to line mates, because the players are going to have line mates changing pretty much.
00:15:53.346 --> 00:15:53.807
You know.
00:15:53.807 --> 00:15:58.798
You see the fourth line now start games with DeLaurier and you know those three guys.
00:15:58.798 --> 00:16:00.764
That's the best group we have right now.
00:16:01.125 --> 00:16:01.325
Right.
00:16:02.335 --> 00:16:03.457
And you know the other guys.
00:16:03.457 --> 00:16:10.235
They have good games, bad games and they're switching some players out and trying to figure out what the fit is.
00:16:10.235 --> 00:16:22.299
But you know nobody wants to play against that fourth line because they're going to hit you and you know it's interesting to see that and I think the fans really like that idea.
00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.083
What little they have seen them together.
00:16:24.083 --> 00:16:25.145
Two games.
00:16:25.967 --> 00:16:26.475
Right, lou.
00:16:26.475 --> 00:16:35.652
What's funny is I think you just summed up youth hockey in a lot of ways From an age level patients while they learn it's something that sometimes we don't see a lot.
00:16:35.652 --> 00:16:41.533
At the younger levels we see that we have to win now, but you've really just described that patients while we learn, people move around.
00:16:41.533 --> 00:16:42.235
You got to find the right fits.
00:16:42.235 --> 00:16:47.215
You have that one sturdy line that can maybe you can turn to in a time of need.
00:16:47.215 --> 00:17:11.959
But I'm saying that because I'm trying to equate the NHL level to the youth level a little bit that there are still similarities that you know we made we made the statement here on a show one time, kind of as a joke, but it's true that we made the statement that every level beneath the NHL is a development league and then we said in the NHL is kind of a development league when you really think about it, because you never stop learning, right In terms of just the development of players.
00:17:11.959 --> 00:17:12.961
It happens at all levels.
00:17:14.305 --> 00:17:16.178
I think you're right, I think you can.
00:17:16.178 --> 00:17:29.946
You can break it into you know whether we have 32 teams now the 30 teams 31, whatever there are groups, I mean there are ones that are going to be good and they're always going to be in the game and always going to be at the top level.
00:17:29.946 --> 00:17:35.025
There are ones in the middle to have a shot at moving upwards, to get in playoffs.
00:17:35.025 --> 00:17:36.748
I mean, it's all about playoffs, right?
00:17:36.748 --> 00:17:40.915
Coach said playoffs, playoffs, yeah, so you know.
00:17:40.915 --> 00:17:50.190
And then there are guys that are just hoping that they're going to put on a good club together with what they're doing, and make them learn to move into the next level.
00:17:50.190 --> 00:17:56.361
So you know, there are, there are levels of teams that are going to be good and not good and you don't want to be in the bottom level.
00:17:56.842 --> 00:17:58.165
Yeah, and it never stops.
00:17:58.165 --> 00:17:59.680
That's that's the continuing evolution.
00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.923
Teams move up, teams move down.
00:18:00.923 --> 00:18:02.416
I want to know.
00:18:02.416 --> 00:18:17.948
We're recording this in October, a time filled with anticipation right now where we're 11, but in my opinion, this is the greatest sports month of the year Because, if you're fortunate, all four or five or all of your pro teams may be playing, which is which is an amazing thing.
00:18:17.948 --> 00:18:24.194
So Philadelphia fans have been coming up a lot lately in the media as the greatest home field advantage in sports.
00:18:24.194 --> 00:18:28.226
Now, this isn't going to be a flyers or Philadelphia question, I just had to say that.
00:18:28.226 --> 00:18:36.807
But this is my question how in tune are you and the athletes with the support of the fans and how does that play in the team culture?
00:18:38.836 --> 00:18:44.647
I think it plays really strong, depending on how, how the game is going.
00:18:44.647 --> 00:18:46.800
I think the fans can help the players.
00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:54.837
I think when, when you have 15,000 people there, the players realize that there's a lot of players, Realize that they're empty seats.
00:18:54.837 --> 00:19:03.234
And you know, we have to realize as stewards of the game, that as the players get better and it has the record gets better, more fans are going to be at the game.
00:19:03.234 --> 00:19:04.902
No question about it.
00:19:04.902 --> 00:19:22.067
So when you look to put 19,600 people in there, you got to be putting out a good product and I think that teams strive to make their product better and when they make their product better, they're going to get more support from fans and they're going to key into the support.
00:19:22.067 --> 00:19:22.695
I mean.
00:19:22.695 --> 00:19:31.809
Think about, you know, the loudest game ever in the Wells Fargo Center was probably the first game we had there, which was I think it was World Cup of Hockey.
00:19:31.809 --> 00:19:33.839
I mean, when Canada played US.
00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:43.155
I believe it was US and you know you had guys play for both teams and our team was good and we had players both places Rivaling.
00:19:43.155 --> 00:19:58.214
That would have been the playoffs in 2010 or 11, when Butch made that save at the very end of the game against the best shootout player period in the league and did the little dance, which he never does very much.
00:19:58.214 --> 00:20:02.230
But you know, you think about it and say, Well, Butch was a hell of a goalie and he sure was.
00:20:02.230 --> 00:20:05.214
He's had a lot of good things and now we're lucky to have him there.
00:20:05.214 --> 00:20:09.194
But I mean, that was loud that day and JJ Daniel shot.
00:20:09.194 --> 00:20:12.523
I guess that was was a Wells Fargo, I don't know.
00:20:12.523 --> 00:20:18.961
You know, things go by and years go by and I've been around so long I'm not really sure sometimes, you know do you?
00:20:18.961 --> 00:20:19.923
remember that series, Mike.
00:20:21.167 --> 00:20:28.616
No, I love it, I put it behind me, but I think it's no, that's so.
00:20:28.616 --> 00:20:35.836
Lou, I had a really question, because you know, when you bring up just the fans and the rink and the atmosphere, I mean, do you, do you feed off that?
00:20:35.836 --> 00:20:40.115
I mean, does your energy, I mean, are you trying to be even keeled?
00:20:40.115 --> 00:20:42.291
Is your energy feeding off that as well?
00:20:43.045 --> 00:20:46.805
Well, I try to be a professional, right.
00:20:46.805 --> 00:20:52.795
I try not to yell very much, I try not to be like some of the teams.
00:20:52.795 --> 00:20:54.288
I won't name any teams, but there are.
00:20:54.288 --> 00:20:59.512
There are teams that are directed to do things differently and have shows having a show.
00:20:59.512 --> 00:21:11.234
I think our players are our show and, you know, I guess the one thing that is a little bit over the top is the Pico power play, which has its own life.
00:21:11.384 --> 00:21:12.509
I mean, it really does.
00:21:12.509 --> 00:21:14.012
Yeah, we all know that it's all life.
00:21:14.765 --> 00:21:17.394
So you know, at that I try to try to bring that home.
00:21:17.394 --> 00:21:24.094
And when our power plays going good, it's great, and when we're 0 for 5, it's not so good near the end there.
00:21:25.464 --> 00:21:35.428
And Mike, you might not know this, but there was a year or two there they didn't do Pico power play and it was very weird for all the fans, because that's just how we've known the power play For those outside of Philadelphia.
00:21:35.428 --> 00:21:43.531
Pico is our power company here and they've sponsored the power play for many, many years and, lou, to your credit, you have always been very professional.
00:21:43.531 --> 00:21:48.993
In my time watching the team I've heard small inflections in your voice during good times.
00:21:48.993 --> 00:21:49.707
You know you kind of.
00:21:49.707 --> 00:21:53.630
You make those calls a little bit more like gold calls sometimes, but you have all, which is great.
00:21:53.630 --> 00:22:01.758
You've always been professional and I think that the fact you have been there since 1967 says a lot about your professionalism.
00:22:02.526 --> 00:22:09.329
Well, you know you go through times at the beginning there where they're not so hot, and then you go through great times.
00:22:09.329 --> 00:22:14.715
You went to Stanley Cups I was announcing for both of those road two parades, you know, took the cup to work.
00:22:14.715 --> 00:22:17.686
I mean it was, it was cool, and you know.
00:22:17.686 --> 00:22:23.529
And then you know, do well for a little while because you know players move around and and things happen.
00:22:23.529 --> 00:22:31.788
And then you know you get into a situation where you hope the team gets better, which is where we are now, everything that can happen.
00:00:08.330 --> 00:00:16.428
00:00:16.428 --> 00:00:32.487
00:00:32.487 --> 00:00:38.344
00:00:38.344 --> 00:00:46.286
00:00:46.286 --> 00:00:57.085
00:00:57.085 --> 00:00:59.186
00:00:59.186 --> 00:01:05.379
00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:14.671
00:01:14.671 --> 00:01:16.787
00:01:16.787 --> 00:01:21.111
00:01:21.111 --> 00:01:28.030
00:01:28.030 --> 00:01:36.745
00:01:36.745 --> 00:01:38.286
00:01:38.286 --> 00:01:52.750
00:01:52.750 --> 00:01:57.370
00:01:57.370 --> 00:02:02.311
00:02:02.311 --> 00:02:04.343
00:02:05.206 --> 00:02:06.469
00:02:06.469 --> 00:02:08.604
00:02:09.727 --> 00:02:10.489
00:02:10.489 --> 00:02:11.572
00:02:11.572 --> 00:02:18.307
00:02:18.307 --> 00:02:20.548
00:02:20.548 --> 00:02:30.686
00:02:30.686 --> 00:02:34.008
00:02:34.008 --> 00:02:39.862
00:02:39.862 --> 00:02:46.293
00:02:46.293 --> 00:02:53.723
00:02:53.742 --> 00:03:01.514
00:03:01.514 --> 00:03:12.099
00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:25.831
00:03:25.831 --> 00:03:32.752
00:03:32.752 --> 00:03:33.662
00:03:33.662 --> 00:03:40.854
00:03:40.854 --> 00:03:44.649
00:03:44.649 --> 00:03:45.730
00:03:45.730 --> 00:03:49.388
00:03:49.388 --> 00:03:57.710
00:03:57.710 --> 00:04:13.971
00:04:13.971 --> 00:04:15.705
00:04:15.705 --> 00:04:24.459
00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:34.622
00:04:34.622 --> 00:04:36.569
00:04:37.721 --> 00:04:38.004
00:04:38.004 --> 00:04:46.007
00:04:46.007 --> 00:04:49.523
00:04:49.523 --> 00:04:58.050
00:04:58.050 --> 00:05:04.252
00:05:04.252 --> 00:05:13.069
00:05:13.069 --> 00:05:13.730
00:05:14.221 --> 00:05:14.822
00:05:14.822 --> 00:05:20.889
00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:23.408
00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:27.367
00:05:27.367 --> 00:05:28.009
00:05:28.009 --> 00:05:32.663
00:05:34.843 --> 00:05:45.612
00:05:45.612 --> 00:06:06.790
00:06:06.790 --> 00:06:15.093
00:06:15.093 --> 00:06:24.031
00:06:24.031 --> 00:06:30.151
00:06:30.151 --> 00:06:33.629
00:06:33.629 --> 00:06:42.130
00:06:43.543 --> 00:06:46.954
00:06:46.954 --> 00:06:59.170
00:06:59.170 --> 00:07:01.906
00:07:01.906 --> 00:07:04.026
00:07:04.026 --> 00:07:09.307
00:07:09.307 --> 00:07:14.172
00:07:14.172 --> 00:07:22.146
00:07:23.389 --> 00:07:38.473
00:07:38.473 --> 00:07:40.064
00:07:40.064 --> 00:07:46.480
00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:47.985
00:07:47.985 --> 00:07:48.146
00:07:49.605 --> 00:07:52.480
00:07:52.480 --> 00:08:06.973
00:08:06.973 --> 00:08:11.057
00:08:11.057 --> 00:08:13.725
00:08:13.725 --> 00:08:16.351
00:08:16.351 --> 00:08:20.208
00:08:20.208 --> 00:08:25.480
00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:27.101
00:08:27.101 --> 00:08:28.685
00:08:28.685 --> 00:08:34.933
00:08:34.933 --> 00:08:37.903
00:08:37.903 --> 00:08:44.315
00:08:45.542 --> 00:08:46.443
00:08:46.443 --> 00:08:56.427
00:08:56.427 --> 00:08:57.870
00:08:57.870 --> 00:09:07.873
00:09:07.873 --> 00:09:09.601
00:09:09.601 --> 00:09:10.644
00:09:10.644 --> 00:09:12.407
00:09:12.407 --> 00:09:16.572
00:09:16.572 --> 00:09:42.472
00:09:42.472 --> 00:09:46.740
00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:50.125
00:09:50.125 --> 00:09:52.089
00:09:52.089 --> 00:09:54.913
00:09:54.913 --> 00:10:01.989
00:10:01.989 --> 00:10:03.912
00:10:03.912 --> 00:10:04.633
00:10:04.633 --> 00:10:05.754
00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:12.145
00:10:12.145 --> 00:10:16.630
00:10:16.630 --> 00:10:20.816
00:10:20.816 --> 00:10:31.041
00:10:31.041 --> 00:10:38.480
00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:42.125
00:10:42.125 --> 00:10:49.395
00:10:49.395 --> 00:10:51.865
00:10:51.865 --> 00:10:59.027
00:10:59.027 --> 00:11:06.325
00:11:06.325 --> 00:11:09.349
00:11:09.349 --> 00:11:14.336
00:11:14.336 --> 00:11:18.788
00:11:18.788 --> 00:11:22.341
00:11:22.341 --> 00:11:28.052
00:11:28.052 --> 00:11:32.629
00:11:32.629 --> 00:11:33.030
00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:41.182
00:11:41.182 --> 00:11:48.094
00:11:48.094 --> 00:11:55.350
00:11:55.350 --> 00:11:59.034
00:11:59.034 --> 00:12:01.607
00:12:01.607 --> 00:12:04.480
00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:13.943
00:12:13.943 --> 00:12:20.193
00:12:20.193 --> 00:12:22.182
00:12:22.182 --> 00:12:31.460
00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:34.062
00:12:34.062 --> 00:12:38.448
00:12:38.448 --> 00:12:48.985
00:12:50.041 --> 00:12:52.384
00:12:52.384 --> 00:12:57.951
00:12:57.951 --> 00:13:03.336
00:13:03.336 --> 00:13:06.681
00:13:06.681 --> 00:13:09.683
00:13:09.683 --> 00:13:12.206
00:13:12.206 --> 00:13:21.774
00:13:21.774 --> 00:13:26.441
00:13:26.441 --> 00:13:32.609
00:13:32.609 --> 00:13:36.693
00:13:36.693 --> 00:13:40.946
00:13:40.946 --> 00:13:45.725
00:13:45.725 --> 00:13:46.988
00:13:46.988 --> 00:13:52.215
00:13:52.215 --> 00:13:58.662
00:13:58.662 --> 00:14:09.188
00:14:09.755 --> 00:14:12.985
00:14:12.985 --> 00:14:16.652
00:14:16.652 --> 00:14:18.938
00:14:18.938 --> 00:14:20.081
00:14:20.081 --> 00:14:24.184
00:14:24.184 --> 00:14:48.086
00:14:48.086 --> 00:14:48.967
00:14:48.967 --> 00:14:52.966
00:14:52.966 --> 00:14:57.225
00:14:58.434 --> 00:15:06.208
00:15:06.208 --> 00:15:10.923
00:15:10.923 --> 00:15:11.245
00:15:11.245 --> 00:15:13.008
00:15:13.008 --> 00:15:17.225
00:15:17.225 --> 00:15:31.125
00:15:31.125 --> 00:15:53.346
00:15:53.346 --> 00:15:53.807
00:15:53.807 --> 00:15:58.798
00:15:58.798 --> 00:16:00.764
00:16:01.125 --> 00:16:01.325
00:16:02.335 --> 00:16:03.457
00:16:03.457 --> 00:16:10.235
00:16:10.235 --> 00:16:22.299
00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.083
00:16:24.083 --> 00:16:25.145
00:16:25.967 --> 00:16:26.475
00:16:26.475 --> 00:16:35.652
00:16:35.652 --> 00:16:41.533
00:16:41.533 --> 00:16:42.235
00:16:42.235 --> 00:16:47.215
00:16:47.215 --> 00:17:11.959
00:17:11.959 --> 00:17:12.961
00:17:14.305 --> 00:17:16.178
00:17:16.178 --> 00:17:29.946
00:17:29.946 --> 00:17:35.025
00:17:35.025 --> 00:17:36.748
00:17:36.748 --> 00:17:40.915
00:17:40.915 --> 00:17:50.190
00:17:50.190 --> 00:17:56.361
00:17:56.842 --> 00:17:58.165
00:17:58.165 --> 00:17:59.680
00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.923
00:18:00.923 --> 00:18:02.416
00:18:02.416 --> 00:18:17.948
00:18:17.948 --> 00:18:24.194
00:18:24.194 --> 00:18:28.226
00:18:28.226 --> 00:18:36.807
00:18:38.836 --> 00:18:44.647
00:18:44.647 --> 00:18:46.800
00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:54.837
00:18:54.837 --> 00:19:03.234
00:19:03.234 --> 00:19:04.902
00:19:04.902 --> 00:19:22.067
00:19:22.067 --> 00:19:22.695
00:19:22.695 --> 00:19:31.809
00:19:31.809 --> 00:19:33.839
00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:43.155
00:19:43.155 --> 00:19:58.214
00:19:58.214 --> 00:20:02.230
00:20:02.230 --> 00:20:05.214
00:20:05.214 --> 00:20:09.194
00:20:09.194 --> 00:20:12.523
00:20:12.523 --> 00:20:18.961
00:20:18.961 --> 00:20:19.923
00:20:21.167 --> 00:20:28.616
00:20:28.616 --> 00:20:35.836
00:20:35.836 --> 00:20:40.115
00:20:40.115 --> 00:20:42.291
00:20:43.045 --> 00:20:46.805
00:20:46.805 --> 00:20:52.795
00:20:52.795 --> 00:20:54.288
00:20:54.288 --> 00:20:59.512
00:20:59.512 --> 00:21:11.234
00:21:11.384 --> 00:21:12.509
00:21:12.509 --> 00:21:14.012
00:21:14.765 --> 00:21:17.394
00:21:17.394 --> 00:21:24.094
00:21:25.464 --> 00:21:35.428
00:21:35.428 --> 00:21:43.531
00:21:43.531 --> 00:21:48.993
00:21:48.993 --> 00:21:49.707
00:21:49.707 --> 00:21:53.630
00:21:53.630 --> 00:22:01.758
00:22:02.526 --> 00:22:09.329
00:22:09.329 --> 00:22:14.715
00:22:14.715 --> 00:22:17.686
00:22:17.686 --> 00:22:23.529
00:22:23.529 --> 00:22:31.788