Former Philadelphia Flyers prospect Tony Voce passed away this week, as reported by the Nasty Knuckles podcast. He was 43 years old. Voce, an undrafted winger, made history as the first native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to sign with the Flyers. During his three seasons with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, Voce tallied 58 goals and 57 assists for a total of 115 points. He was also part of the Phantoms’ Calder Cup championship team in the 2004-05 season.
Voce’s career highlight came in the following season when he led the Phantoms in scoring with 28 goals and 27 assists, totaling 55 points in 67 games, marking the best professional season of his career. After stints with the Phantoms and the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006-07, he played in Germany, Finland, and Austria over the next two seasons. Voce concluded his professional hockey career with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign in the 2009-10 season.
The Philadelphia Flyers released a statement on social media expressing their sorrow over Voce’s passing, with his family members sharing the news. The statement highlighted Voce’s deep ties to the city where he learned and loved the game of hockey.
Before turning professional, Voce played four seasons of college hockey with the Boston College Eagles, where he became one of the highest-scoring players in the school’s history. He scored 90 goals, ranking fifth on the Eagles’ all-time list, and totaled 167 points, which ranks 11th. Voce’s achievements at Boston College included helping the team win its first NCAA National Championship in 52 years during his freshman year in 2000-01. He was also recognized as a Hobey Baker Finalist and First-Team All-American in his senior season and was later inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2022.
Frank Seravalli, a Daily Faceoff insider, described Voce’s passing as an “incredibly sad day in the Philadelphia hockey world,” recalling Voce’s pivotal role in Boston College’s 2001 National Championship victory.