<P> In 1946, a group led by Montreal and Philadelphia sportsman Len Peto announced plans to put another NHL team in Philadelphia, to build a $2.5 million rink to seat 20,000 where stood the old Baker Bowl and to acquire the franchise of the old Montreal Maroons . The latter was held by the Canadian Arena Company, owner of the Montreal Canadiens . Peto's group, however, was unable to raise funding for the new arena project by the League - imposed deadline, and the NHL cancelled the Maroons franchise . </P> <P> While attending a basketball game on November 29, 1964, at the Boston Garden, Ed Snider, the then - vice-president of the Philadelphia Eagles, observed a crowd of Boston Bruins fans lining up to purchase tickets to see a last - place ice hockey team . He began making plans for a new arena upon hearing the NHL was looking to expand due to fears of a competing league taking hold on the West Coast and the desire for a new television contract in the United States . Snider made his proposal to the League, which chose the Philadelphia group--including Snider, Bill Putnam, Jerome Schiff and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jerry Wolman--over the Baltimore group . </P> <P> On April 4, 1966, Putnam announced a name - the - team contest . Details of the contest were released on July 12 . The team name was announced on August 3 . </P> <P> The new teams were hampered by restrictive rules that kept all major talent with the "Original Six" teams . In the NHL Expansion Draft, most of the players available were either aging veterans or career minor - leaguers before expansion occurred . Among the Flyers' 20 selections were Bernie Parent, Doug Favell, Bill Sutherland, Ed Van Impe, Joe Watson, Lou Angotti, Leon Rochefort and Gary Dornhoefer . Having purchased the minor - league Quebec Aces, the team had a distinctly francophone flavor in its early years, with Parent, Rochefort, Andre Lacroix, Serge Bernier, Jean - Guy Gendron, Simon Nolet and Rosaire Paiement among others . Beginning play in 1967--68, the Philadelphia Flyers made their debut on October 11, 1967, losing 5--1 on the road to the California Seals . They won their first game a week later, defeating the St. Louis Blues on the road, 2--1 . The Flyers made their home debut in front of a crowd of 7,812, shutting out their intrastate rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, 1--0 on October 19 . Lou Angotti was named the first captain in Flyers history, while Rochefort was the Flyers' top goal scorer after netting a total of 21 goals . With all six expansion teams grouped into the same division, the Flyers were able to win the division with a sub -. 500 record despite being forced to play their last seven home games on the road due to a storm blowing parts of the Spectrum's roof off . Playoff success, however, did not come so quickly, as the Flyers were upset by St. Louis in a first round, seven - game series . </P>

How did the philadelphia flyers get their name