A Tribute to Lou Nolan

Lou Nolan is an original Flyer in every sense of the term. A team employee from the inaugural 1967-68 season to this very day, he has witnessed the vast majority of home games played in franchise history.

At the invitation of close friend Joe Kadlec, the longtime Flyers public and press relations director and an iconic franchise figure in his own right, Nolan served as a press box assistant in the earliest seasons of team history.

A 1963 graduate of Philadelphia's West Catholic High School, Nolan later met Joe Kadlec in Margate, New Jersey. At the time, Kadlec worked for the Philadelphia Daily News sports department. In 1967, he became the Flyers' public relations director.

"Ever since we first met in Margate, we have been friends. I didn't know it at the time but Lou was a big hockey fan of the Philadelphia Ramblers and I was the team's stick boy," Kadlec recalled in 2017.

Nolan was already familiar with hockey, having regularly attended Philadelphia Ramblers minor league games at the defunct Philadelphia Arena at 46th and Market Streets in West Philadelphia.

His friend's uncle, George Lennon, was a goal judge for hockey games at the Arena. Later, Lennon became the first game-clock timekeeper at the Philadelphia Spectrum.

"In the early years, I would invite Lou to training camp in Quebec City. I was lucky to have Lou along to help out. He was a big help back in those days. There were many challenges in the early days," Kadlec recalled.

After starting out working in the press box, Nolan gradually worked his way down to the PA microphone at ice level. Ever since the 1972-73 season, Lou Nolan has been the Flyers' public address announcer at the Spectrum and then the Wells Fargo Center.

Over the last half century, Lou Nolan has become every bit as identifiable as "the voice of the Flyers" as iconic broadcaster Gene Hart, Jim Jackson and Tim Saunders became to Flyers fans. Indeed, he is the Flyers counterpart to the late Dave Zinkoff of Philadelphia 76ers public address fame.

"We've had many great times together over the years," Kadlec said. "When my wife Joan - a 76ers assistant - and I got married a few months after we won the Stanley Cup, Lou was in our wedding party."

The very first in-game goal announcement made by Nolan during a regular season game came early in the first period on Oct. 12, 1972 of an eventual Flyers 7-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks: "Flyers goal scored by No. 12, Gary Dorhoefer! His first of the season. The assists: No. 18 Ross Lonsberry along with No. 10 Bill Clement. Time of the goal, three minutes and thirty seconds."

Since that time, Lou Nolan has informed the home fans of well over 99 percent of the home game goals, assists and the final minute of play in each and every period in well over 2,000 games.

Through the years, Nolan has only missed a smattering of games. He's announced most every goal, penalty and end-of-game three-star
selection for decade after decade.

Nolan was behind the PA microphone for the 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997 and 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. He made the announcements for the Flyers' games against the Red Army (1976 and 1990), the Soviet Wings (1979), HC Pardubice (1977) and the Russian national team (1983). He's worked two NHL All-Star Games (1976 and 1992), the Winter Olympics, Flyers Hall of Fame induction and jersey retirement ceremonies as well as Flyers Alumni games. In times of mourning, he's called for a moment of silence.

Nolan is also very active in performing PA duties at Alumni events, amateur hockey and Flyers Warriors games and assorted fundraisers throughout the Delaware Valley. In Sept. 2019, when the Flyers Warriors played the Pittsburgh Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center, Nolan even sang the Star Spangled Banner prior to the game.

In 2021-22, Nolan was a finalist for induction into the Flyers Hall of Fame. Ultimately, Rick Tocchet and Paul Holmgren were selected by the voting committee this time around. However, Nolan emceed their induction ceremony and did his usual first-rate job.

Finally, on April 9, 2022, Lou Nolan will have a night of his own when the Flyers host the Anaheim Ducks. He will be honored for his 55 years of ongoing service to the organization.

"I have been very lucky to be part of a wonderful organization with great people and tremendously loyal fans," Nolan said.
The reverse is also true: The Flyers organization has been very fortunate to have someone with Lou Nolan's non-stop passion, dedication and ability to relate to generations of fans. He has made countless friends over the years and is both personable and genuine.

One of Nolan's trademarks whenever someone passes along good news to him is his enthusiastic and heartfelt reply: "Outstanding!" The same word describes Lou Nolan as a professional and a human being.