The man who took down Soviet Central Red Army star Valeri Kharlamov, nearly causing an international incident in the process, has died. The Flyers announced the passing of Ed Van Impe, 84, on Thursday.

The three-time All-Star was one of the league's most physical defensemen during his career and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Flyers in 1974 and 1975.

The second captain in franchise history, Van Impe was an original Flyer, playing on the inaugural 1967-68 club. He spent parts of nine seasons in Philadelphia, including 1973-74 and 1974-75, when the Flyers won their back-to-back Stanley Cups.