The City of Philadelphia can now be called "The Best Town In Hockey" as The Sporting News has proclaimed the City of Brotherly Love as the number one hockey city in the United States. Philadelphia, boasts two professional hockey teams - the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League and their American Hockey League affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms, the Calder Cup Champions.

"Philadelphia fans are very passionate and love their team," said Flyers captain Keith Primeau. "It doesn't surprise me that Philadelphia was named number one for hockey."

"As excited as the players are to play here, I can tell you when visitors come here to play against us, they are just as excited," added Flyers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. "They consider Philadelphia to be the real world stage as far as hockey goes."

The Flyers are Back Where We Belong and will open the much-anticipated hockey season on Wednesday, October 5, when they host the New York Rangers at Wachovia Center.

The Flyers are currently taking orders for 2005-06 season tickets by calling 215-218-PUCK. Individual game tickets will become available shortly.

During the eight seasons that the Flyers have played at Wachovia Center, they have drawn 6,392,818 fans to 328 regular season games, including 200 sell-outs. Additionally, the Phantoms hold the record for six of the top eight crowds in AHL history, including an AHL playoff-record 20,103 fans who saw the Phantoms defeat the Chicago Wolves and capture the Calder Cup on June 10, 2005, at Wachovia Center.

Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider is credited with bringing the Flyers to Philadelphia when he created the franchise in l967. His entrepreneurial spirit and competitive drive led the Flyers to becoming the NHL's first expansion team to capture the Stanley Cup in l974 and again in l975.

More than 20,000 youths are participating in organized hockey leagues at more than 60 public skating rinks throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region.