During his 28 years at the microphone for Flyers broadcasts, Gene Hart became one of the most recognizable and respected broadcasters ever. His unique style for calling the game as he saw it, and his obvious passion for the game of hockey came through every night he worked. For many, Gene Hart was not just a play-by-play man, but the man we sat down with to watch the game. Our hockey buddies were there for some of the games, but Gene was always there.

Gene graduated from high school in Pleasantville, NJ, and was a graduate of the Trenton State College with a bachelor's degree in education. He worked as a teacher in New Jersey public schools, and officiated many scholastic sports events. One day, after he had finished working in an Atlantic City high scool basketball game, a broadcaster named Ralph Glenn mentioned to Hart that he was going to be stuck working a game alone. Hart, ever the enthusist, willingly jumped at the opportunity to try something new. Hart wound up on a regular South Jersey radio trio while he kept jobs on the side selling cars, teaching, and working in public relations, amongst other things.

Hart had heard that Philadelphia was going to be starting an NHL franchise, and that they would be looking for a broadcaster. He decided to submit audition tapes, not really thinking he had too much of a shot. The Flyers did not want to spend alot of money on an expensive personality due to the constraints starting a franchise had caused financially. Hart offered the kind of flexibility and wage the Flyers were looking for. At the time of his hiring, Hart did not believe that it would be long term, and that he was going to be there until someone of higher stature in the hockey community could be afforded. As it turns out, Hart was all the talent the Flyers could have ever hoped for.

He was in the booth for every game from the Flyers first game until the end of the 94-95 season, when he retired. Just two years into his retirement, Hart got the broadcasting bug again, and did a few games for the Phantoms, the Flyers AHL farm team, during the 97-98 and 98-99 seasons. Gene was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, much to his surprise and delight. He was also elected to the Flyers Hall of Fame in February of 1992 and wrote a book in 1990 entitled "Score!", which was based on the Flyers and his experiences as their announcer. Hart's health began to decline shortly after he stopped working Phantoms games from a number of ailments. He passed away in 1999 from complications stemming from those illnesses.

Although he is missed by the entire Flyers community, Gene Hart will always be remembered for his enormous contributions to the Flyers and the hockey world in general. His unforgettable voice is etched deeply in the memories of those that loved his calls.