Known as a hard partier during his playing days, Flett passed away in 1999 from liver related complications. Had he still been with us, yesterday would have been his 67th birthday. How ironic considering his big break came in '67.
Originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Flett was selected in the 18th round of the '67 expansion draft by the Kings. A few months later when the season began he was well on his way to becoming one of the early stars of the new hockey team in Los Angeles.
Like another player in the news this week, he wore #17 (bet you didn't see a Kovalchuk reference coming in this story, did you?). Playing on the top line, in the now legendary purple and gold uniforms, he netted a team-high 26 goals his rookie season. However, Flett's goal production declined each of the next four seasons and in January 1972 the Kings had seen enough, packaging him in a deal to the Philadelphia Flyers.
As often happens in such situations, he appeared to get the message. Flett posted the best statistical year of his career the following season, 43 goals and 74 points. He topped that 12 months later by winning the Stanley Cup with the Flyers, the first by an expansion team.
Similar to what the Chicago Blackhawks experienced last month, the celebration didn't last long. Just a week after drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup, Flett was traded to the Leafs.
