Tony Voce, born on October 30, 1980, and passing away on July 8, 2024, was a distinguished American professional ice hockey player remembered for his remarkable career and his significant contribution to his hometown team, the Philadelphia Flyers organization.
Voce's journey from collegiate stardom to professional prominence is a testament to his dedication and skill in the sport. Voce's early career was marked by his outstanding performance in college hockey at Boston College, where he played for four years.
During his tenure, he notched an impressive 90 goals and 77 assists, alongside accumulating 207 penalty minutes. His senior year was particularly notable as he finished second in the nation in goals in the NCAA.
Voce's exceptional play earned him the Norman F. Bailey Award as team MVP twice, first as a sophomore and again as a senior. Furthermore, his talents were recognized with selections to the All-Hockey East First Team and the AHCA First Team All-American.
Despite going undrafted, Voce's hometown team, the Philadelphia Flyers, saw his potential and signed him as a free agent. He began his professional career with the Flyers' minor league affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Voce quickly established himself as a key player, becoming one of the team's top goal scorers. His efforts were instrumental in the Phantoms' victory in the 2004–05 Calder Cup, cementing his legacy within the organization. Over two seasons with the Phantoms, Voce amassed 50 goals before being loaned to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Voce's career also took him overseas, where he continued to pursue his passion for hockey. On March 17, 2008, he signed with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Later that year, on November 28, he transferred to the EC Graz 99ers of the Erste Bank Hockey League.
However, his stint in Austria was brief, and he was released by the team after two weeks. Tony Voce's legacy extends beyond his statistics and accolades; he was a trailblazer as the first Philadelphia native to play for the Flyers organization.
His journey through college hockey to the professional leagues, both in North America and Europe, reflects his resilience and dedication to the sport. Voce's impact on the ice and his contributions to his teams will be remembered by fans and the hockey community alike.
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