Barber arrived to provide scoring power for the Philadelphia Flyers just as a Stanley Cup championship team was coming together.

The Flyers selected Barber with the No. 7 pick of the 1972 NHL Draft after the high-scoring center had 107 points (44 goals, 63 assists) as captain of Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey Association, which later became the Ontario Hockey League.

Barber began his professional career in 1972 with Richmond of the American Hockey League, but after he had 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 11 games, he was called up to the Flyers and made his NHL debut at left wing with an assist against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 29, 1972. He led all NHL rookies in 1972-73 with 64 points and tied Steve Vickers of the New York Rangers for the rookie lead with 30 goals. Barber finished second to Vickers in voting for the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie.

Barber started 1973-74 at left wing on a line with center Bobby Clarke and right wing Bill Flett, and they helped carry the Flyers to their first Stanley Cup championship. Barber scored three goals in 17 playoff games, including the game-winner against the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of the Final.

In 1974-75, Reggie Leach replaced Flett and the LCB Line combined for 265 points (106 goals, 159 assists), with Barber scoring 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) as the Flyers rolled to an NHL-best 51 wins.

"I think it was three different kinds of players," Barber said. "Reggie had the cannon of a shot. I complemented in the sense of playing more detailed in all three zones and making sure I was accountable defensively. Clarkie was tenacious in his forecheck and anticipation of the puck. We all complemented one another."

The strong play continued as Barber helped the Flyers win the Stanley Cup for a second straight season. His two goals against the Buffalo Sabres in Game 1 set the tone for a six-game series victory in the Final.

Barber had his best season in 1975-76, setting personal highs with 50 goals and 112 points, and his 10 game-winning goals were second in the NHL to Leach. He had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 16 games to help the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight season, but they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.

He became the first Flyers player with 400 goals when he scored 40 seconds into the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 9, 1983.

Barber played what would be his final NHL game on March 14, 1984. During an off-ice workout ahead of the 1984 playoffs he broke his femur where it enters the knee joint. He sat out the 1984-85 season hoping he could continue his career after reconstructive knee surgery but announced his retirement after the season.

His 420 goals are the most in Flyers history and his 883 points and 903 games played are second to Clarke. He scored at least 20 goals in all 12 of his NHL seasons and at least 30 goals nine times. The Flyers retired his No. 7 on Oct. 7, 1990, the same year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• NHL First All-Star Team (1976)
• NHL Second All-Star Team (1979, 1981)
• WEC-A All-Star Team (1982)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982)