Former Flyers GM, coach Keith Allen passes away

Keith Allen, who was the Flyers' first head coach, died Tuesday. He was 90.

Allen was the genral manager of the Flyers' Stanley Cup teams of 1974 and 1975.

"Keith was the first coach in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers and a man for whom I have tremendous respect," Flyers Chairman Ed Snider said. "In my mind, he was and always will be one of the greatest General Managers in the history of hockey. He was known as 'Keith the Thief,' I never knew of a bad deal he made. This team would never have reached the level of success we have had over the past 48 years if it were not for Keith.

"Over the years he became one of my closest confidants and one of my best friends. I will never forget all of the many memories we shared together." added Snider. "I would like to extend my condolences to Keith's family, his wife Joyce, their sons, Brad and Blake, and their daughter, Traci, and their four grandchildren, Chelsea, Shay, Jillian, and Chase. He will sorely be missed by all of us."

Allen joined the Flyers in 1966, one year before the team began play. In his first year as coach, the Flyers won the West Division title.

Allen was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, joining Snider in the Builders category. He was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in March 1989.

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