obituaries
Former NHL President,
Flyers Exec Gilbert Stein Dies at 94
ANDY GOTLIEB | EDITOR
G ilbert Stein, who served as
president of the NHL, as
well as executive vice presi-
dent and chief operating officer of the
Philadelphia Flyers, died on March 24.

He was 94.

Stein, who lived in Gladwyne,
also had an extensive legal career
in Philadelphia, serving as the city’s
deputy city controller, deputy district
attorney and executive director of the
Philadelphia Housing Authority.

In addition, he was a special counsel
to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, an adjunct
professor of sports law at Villanova
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APRIL 7, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
University, the Philadelphia regional
director of the Pennsylvania Labor
Relations Board in the late 1950s, an
adjunct professor of business law at
Drexel University in 1967, and a litiga-
tion partner for five years in the 1970s
at what is now Blank Rome.

The Philadelphia native spent two
years in the Army upon graduating
high school, then earned a bachelor’s
degree at Temple University and a law
degree from Boston University School
of Law.

Son Andy Stein said his father’s ini-
tial sports passion was basketball and
that he played the sport in the Army.

The base commanders wanted him to
play on the travel team, but only ser-
geants and above were allowed to travel
off base, so they made him a sergeant. A recent photo of Gil Stein
Courtesy of the Stein family
While in law school in Boston, Stein
frequently watched Boston Celtics
games, taking copious scouting notes.

out of trouble in court. He loved those
“Every time the Philadelphia guys, and they loved him,” Andy Stein
Warriors traveled to Boston, Dad said in his eulogy. “Many people think
would meet the team at the train sta- of those Flyers players as vicious thugs.

tion and hand Coach Eddie Gottlieb a They were tough all right, but the love
detailed scouting report on the Celtics, they had for each other was so strong
which the Warriors then used to full that they have remained friends and
advantage in the game,” Andy Stein brothers for life.”
said during his eulogy.

In 1977, he joined the NHL front
But hockey eventually became his office as vice president and general
primary sports love.

counsel. Fifteen years later, when the
“I loved what I saw,” Stein said in a league’s president resigned, Stein was
1992 Jewish Exponent article, detailing named his successor.

how he watched the very first Flyers
His tenure was short-lived, however,
home game in 1967. “I would attend as the league also announced that it
the 76ers game and, the next night, the was eliminating the position of presi-
Flyers. Three or four weeks into that sea- dent and planned to name a permanent
son, I became bored with basketball. We commissioner.

became passionate hockey fans.”
Although Stein was interested in the
That passion grew in 1972 when commissioner role, the NHL instead
Flyers owner Ed Snider hired him as selected Gary Bettman, who remains in
the team’s general counsel. He later the position today.

became the team’s executive vice presi-
“His attitude was that, ‘I’m not here
dent and chief operating officer.

to be a placeholder,’” Andy Stein said.

Having a father involved with the
Stein’s tenure was marked by the
Flyers made for “great days,” Andy addition of two franchises — the
Stein said.

Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Florida
“The Flyers, also known as The Broad Panthers. While the entry fees were
Street Bullies, were the most excit- important to the league, Andy Stein
ing team in all of sports. Once, in said, it also brought Michael Eisner, the
Vancouver, Flyers players climbed into CEO of the Walt Disney Co., and Wayne
the stands to battle the fans. Dad was Huizenga of Blockbuster Video, Waste
the lawyer who managed to keep them Management and AutoNation fame,