PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Talk about a bust out. The Flyers on Thursday announced they will host “Phish Night at the Flyers” when the team faces Toronto on Jan. 8 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
While the band itself isn't slated to be in attendance, fans can expect a series of tributes to the jamming foursome throughout the evening.
Local cover band Rift, which takes its name from one of Phish’s studio albums and songs, is scheduled to play a pregame concert. The Flyers will also hand out a limited-edition, co-branded Phish T-shirt that blends the group’s iconic bubbling fish logo with mascot Gritty’s furry orange features.
The celebration marks the first time Phish has ever partnered with a professional sports franchise for an authorized theme night.
To the uninitiated, a collaboration between the Flyers and Phish might seem arbitrary. Phish, after all, got its start in Burlington, Vermont. But for the band itself, as well as its individual members, connections to both Philadelphia and the city’s hockey club run deep.
Drummer Jon Fishman and keyboardist Page McConnell were born here. Guitarist Trey Anastasio grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and played hockey in his youth.
In interviews during his career, including one with NBC Sports Philadelphia, Anastasio spoke passionately about the sport, its influence on him, and, in particular, his love for the Flyers and going to games at the Spectrum.
“That period in time, the Broad Street Bullies, I remember the parade,” the 61-year-old said. “They were my all-time heroes.”
Phish played the Spectrum nine times before its closing. The band also performed two shows at Xfinity Mobile Arena, plus a pair of national anthems for the Flyers.
Tickets to “Phish Night at the Flyers” can be purchased via a special package.
A portion of ticket sale proceeds will benefit Phish’s charitable arm, the WaterWheel Foundation.