Ex-Flyers sworn in as U.S. citizens

A couple of Broad Street Bullies were sworn in as United States citizens on Friday morning at the Mount Holly board offices in Burlington County, N.J.
 
Philadelphia Flyers legends Bob Kelly and Orest Kindrachuk, who each played key roles in bringing the City of Brotherly Love back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and '75, took the oath while raising their right hands to an assembled crowd. Kelly was born in Oakville, Ont., and Kindrachuk in Nanton, Alberta.
 
For Kelly, who married an American wife and has three American-born children, it only made sense to become a U.S. citizen after living in the States the last 40 years.
"I have appreciated everything I've had in the United States and the opportunity I received, so it was time," Kelly told NHL.com. "It was funny because at the end of the (citizenship exam), the guy asks me if I would bear arms and I said, 'Absolutely, just tell me where to go and I'll sign up for that.' "
 
Kindrachuk, who has lived in the United States since turning professional in 1971, was sworn in along with his wife, Lynn, with whom he has been married to the last 37 years.
 
"I'm very opinionated and that's difficult to do if you can't vote or do something about it, so if people thought I was opinionated before, watch out now," Kindrachuk told NHL.com. "You haven't seen anything yet."
 
In addition to Kelly and Kindrachuk, fellow Broad Street Bullies' Dave Schultz and Bill Clement will also be obtaining their U.S. citizenship, supposedly before the new year.
 
"The funniest line I've heard is 'Schultz has been called a lot of things, but never an American citizen,' " Schultz told NHL.com. "To be honest with you, I just hope the guy giving the (oral) test isn't a New York Rangers fan."
 
Kindrachuk considers it an honor making the pledge to the United States alongside former teammates.
 
"It's funny, I started quizzing Schultz on some of the questions he'll be asked at the oral examination and he said, 'I guess I better get the book out and study,' " Kindrachuk said. "But I have a hard time seeing Schultzie study. But getting citizenship with 'The Hound' is kind of cool. It's only fitting since we rode together to practices and to games. We roomed together, so it's kind of neat that we're in together."
 
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