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Hall Of Fame Profile



Hall Of Fame Profile

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Joe Watson

Induction into Flyer Hall Of Fame - Feb. 1996

Joe Watson's 66-67 Rookie Card

Known for his booming voice and booming body checks, Joe was an anchor on the Flyers Stanley Cup championship teams.
Watson in his first year as a Flyer
Joe Watson was another Flyer Hall of Famer that saw his career start in the Bruins chain. His started his career in Oklahoma City where he was named an all-star in 1965-66. He played 4 games for Boston in 64-65 season, spending most of the time with the Harry Sinden coached Oklahoma . When Sinden was named coach of the Bruins, he gave Joe a shot at a regular NHL job in 66-67. He was paired up with fellow rookie Bobby Orr And actually scored his first NHL goal before Orr did). He became close friends with Orr and was actually best man at Bobby's wedding. When it came time for expansion many were surprised when Joe was left unprotected. The Flyers picked him up as their second non-goalie choice. - the Bruins said he was one of the biggest expansion draft losses.
Joe was devastated. He saw the Bruins as an up and coming team and thought he'd be part of it. He didn't report to the Flyers first training camp in Quebec City. When he was persuaded to join the team he was terribly out of shape. He was literally sick to his stomach and decided to quit. Ed van Impe called Orr with the news. Bobby called Joe and convinced him to stick with it and the Flyers were grateful ever since. Watson made an immediate impact. Even though he wasn't gifted offensively, Joe was on the ice for 46% of the Flyers goals that first year
Joe clears the view for
Flyers' goalie Doug Favell
Joe celebrates cup vistory
Joe was known by a few nicknames : Beaver, Pumpkin and Thundermouth, but he was always known as a reliable workman. Even though the Flyers had trouble scoring goals in the early years they never had problems keeping the other team from scoring many, thanks in part to Joe Watson. His steady play got him named to all star game teams in 1973-74 and again in 1976-77 and played a major role in the Flyer championship teams of 73-74 and 74-75. Strangely, for a player who only scored 36 goals for the Flyers, it may be a goal in an exhibition game that he will be remember best for. Joe Watson scored a shorthanded goal against the Soviet Red Army team on January 11, 1976 that proved to be the game winner. Fred Shero joked that Watson's goal set Soviet hockey back 20 years. There was alao an incident a few months later. In the 1976 playoffs against Toronto, Leaf fans were dumping garbage at Don Saleski who was in the penalty box. Joe tried to come to his teammate's aide. "I was swinging my stick like a lariat, aiming for a fan, when a policeman pushed him out of the way," Watson said" I hit the policeman right on the shoulder. Thank God he was understanding. You just don't do that.". Joe, along with Bob Kelly plead guilty to common assault and were fined.
In 1978 the Flyers sold Watson to the Colorado Rockies franchise. Unfortunately his stay wouldn't be for long. One month into the season Joe was checked from behind by the Blues Wayne Babych. Watson fell awkwardly and his leg shattered. It was broken in 13 places, instantly ending his career. Joe was brought back to the Flyers family the next season where he has worked since, whether it be helping coaches from the press box, acting as an advanced scout or in sales and marketing.
Just before leaving for the Rockies
Joe fends of Rangers' Phil Esposito

Watson leaves another opponent in the dust


Regular Season
Year
GP G A Pts PIM +/- PP SH GW GT Sht Sh%
1967-68 7351419 56121 010915.49
1968-69 602810 14-210 001822.44
1969-70 5431114 2801 0011022.94
1970-71 573710 5090 000614.92
1971-72 653710 38-170 0111102.73
1972-73 6322426 46300 010722.78
1973-74 7411718 34280 000751.33
1974-75 8061723 42420 0001155.22
1975-76 7822224 28560 020882.27
1976-77 7742630 39290 0011013.96
1977-78 655914 22230 010687.35
TOTAL 74636162198 3971912 0649653.73

Playoffs
Year
GP G A Pts PIM +/- PP SH GW OT Sht Sh%
1968P 7112 280 000
1969P 4000 00 000
1971P 1000 00 000
1973P 11022 120 000
1974P 17145 240 000
1975P 17044 60 000
1976P 16112 100 000
1977P 10000 20 000
1978P 1000 00 000
TOTAL 8431215 8200 0000



Team Awards

Season Award
1974-75Barry Ashbee Trophy : Best Defenseman
1977-78Yanick Dupre Memorial : Class Guy

Seasons In All Star Game

Season 1973-74 1976-77







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