Trenton Times on Joe Kadlec Retirement

Saturday, July 28, 2007

BY ADAM KIMELMAN

Before there were the Flyers, there was Joe Kadlec.

Kadlec, who was hired as public relations director in August 1967, before the team took the ice for its inaugural season, yesterday announced his retirement from the organization after a 40-year run.

Owner Ed Snider's first hire, Kadlec, 64, also spent time as the team's traveling secretary and director of team services, spending 30 years on the road. He had spent the last 10 years as Director of Fan Services.

"Over the 40-year history of this hockey club, Joe has been an inte gral part of the team," said Snider. "While we will miss all of Joe's charm, energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of our franchise, it is comforting to me to know that he will continue to spread Flyers hockey throughout the greater Philadelphia region as one of our Ambassadors."

Kadlec will join Bernie Parent and Bob Kelly as hockey ambassadors, replacing Gary Dornhoefer, who is moving to Tennessee.

"I'd like to personally thank Ed Snider for providing me the opportunity to be a part of the greatest organization in professional sports," said Kadlec. "Winning the two Stanley cups (1974 and 1975) and later a Canada Cup (1991) were some of the greatest mo ments of my life. I will cherish the many friendships I have made with every player who has ever donned the orange and black and worked for the team."

Kadlec was hired away from the Philadelphia Daily News, where was the first writer assigned to cover the Flyers.

The Professional Hockey Writ ers' Association on two different occasions honored Kadlec. He was voted the Red Burnett Memorial Award winner in 1982, for having the most outstanding press box. He captured the Outstanding Press Guide Award in 1983.