Flyers great Schultz is named Living Legend; PSWA to honor the winger at its 121st Banquet on Jan. 21, 2026
By Sam Carchidi, The Hockey News
The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association is proud to begin announcing its honoree list for the organization’s 121st Banquet and we’re starting with some serious punch!
Dave Schultz, the bruising left winger who was a key part of the Flyers’ Stanley Cup championships in both 1974 and 1975, will be honored as the Living Legend Award winner at the Philadelphia Sports Writers 121st banquet, Jan. 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Tickets are available now and can be purchased by clicking here.
Known for his fighting ability, Schultz also supplied some important offense. He scored 20 goals in 1973-74, added the overtime winner in the Stanley Cup quarterfinal-round clincher in Atlanta, then helped set up arguably the biggest goal in franchise history in Game 2 of the Finals in Boston.
The next year, the player nicknamed “The Hammer” set a still-standing NHL record by accumulating 472 penalty minutes in the regular season. In the Stanley Cup Finals, he scored twice to highlight the pivotal Game 5 win over Buffalo.
During his career, the soft-spoken Schultz stood up for his teammates, who got more room on the ice because opponents feared retribution from the Flyers’ enforcer.
“Dave gave us courage on the road,” Fred Shero, the Flyers’ Hall of Fame coach, once said, a statement echoed by the players on those championship teams.
Schultz, now 76, says he regrets all the fighting. He said he despised throwing punches, but, at the time, knew it was his role.
“Fighting,” he said recently, “was totally different than me as a human being.”
Prior to the banquet, Schultz will be signing his new book, “Hammered: The Fight of My Life.” He and Sam Carchidi will also be signing “Bullies.” Schultz wrote the foreward for the book, written by Carchidi and Jeff Hare.
Again, you can get your tickets for another historic night in Philly sports history by clicking here! See you on 1/21 for our 121st banquet!