The Philadelphia Flyers held Captains Night as a part of their heritage series Thursday night.
Philadelphia, the birth place of America. A city with a deep history. The Philadelphia Flyers, a team with a deep history, honored their past leaders Thursday night.
The first Captain in team history was Lou Angotti, Angotti spent one season in Philadelphia.
Ed Van Impe (1969-1973) (617 GP 19G 107 A 126 PTS)
“Van Impe, the second captain of the Broad Street Bullies, helped set the Flyer’s bruising standards through his unrelenting play. He was known for his heavy open ice hits and his liberal stick work, but he never considered himself to be a goon.” Joe Pelletie broadstreetbullies.blogspot.ca
Van Impe handed his captaincy to Bobby Clarke. The two went on to win two Stanley Cups together.
Bobby Clarke (1972-1979,1983,1984) (1144GP 358 G 852 A 1210 PTS)
Bobby Clarke was captain in Philadelphia for nine seasons winning two Stanley cups. Clarke leads the Flyers in all time points.
The toothless smile of Clarke, the leader of the Broad Street bullies, is the face of the Flyers organization. Clarke was recently named in the NHL top 100 player of all-time.
“Talented, feisty center with incredible work ethic was face of Flyers championship teams” Stu Hackel / Special to NHL.com
Dave Poulin (1985-1990) (467 GP 161 G 233 A 394 PTS)
Dave Poulin captained the Flyers for six seasons taking the club to the Stanley Cup Finals twice, leaving empty handed both times.
The Flyers traded Poulin to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ken Linseman.
“He was an unheralded defensive center who was always shadowing the opposition’s top gun. He was always on the ice when the game was on the line, taking key faceoffs and blocking shots. He was the ultimate team player who was never fully appreciated by the fans or media when he played, and will likely be forgotten about over time” Joe Pelletie broadstreetbullies.blogspot.ca
Eric Lindros (1990-1995) (486 GP 290 G 369 A 659 PTS)
“Hall of Famer” Eric Lindros “the next great one” captained the Flyers for six seasons falling short of lifting the cup losing in the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals to the Detroit Red Wings.
Lindros won the Hart Memorial trophy in 1995. The Hart Trophy, is awarded annually to the “player judged most valuable to his team. Lindros leaded the NHL in scoring with 70 points in a 46 game shortened season.
More from Broad Street Buzz
From 2000-08 the Philadelphia would have five different captains.
Eric Desjardins captained the Flyer’s for three seasons, Keith Primeau four seasons.
Derian Hatcher ,Peter Forsberg and Jason Smith all for one season.
“Especially in a big market like Philadelphia, there’s a big pressure that comes with the captaincy, “but the kind of pressure you want to have,” Giroux says.
Mike Richards (2009-2011) (453 GP 133 G 216 A 349 PTS)
Mike Richards captained the Philadelphia Flyers for three season taking the club to within two wins of hosting the Stanley Cup.
The Flyers would lose in heart breaking fashion to the Chicago Blackhawks in game six at home.
Mike Richards returned for one season after the cup run but was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings the following summer.
Chris Pronger (2011-12) (145 GP 15 G 77A 92 PTS)
Chris Pronger was named Captain after the Richard’s trade. The veteran defenseman had been a major part of the previously mentioned cup run but just 13 games into his captaincy his career was ended by a high stick.
This would turn out to be the final blow to the star defense man as a concussion would force Pronger out of the league.
Claude Giroux (2013 -Present) (626 GP 178 G 380 A 558 PTS)
Claude Giroux the current Captain is in his fifth season with the ‘’C’’ on his chest. Giroux is the Flyers best player and leader.
General Manger Ron Hextall calls Claude Giroux the ultimate competitor. During the Flyers 12 game winning streak earlier this season, Giroux scored 5 goals for 12 points with a +12.
When Captain “G” is on his game things go well for the Philadelphia Flyers.
“I’m a guy that cares a little too much sometimes so sometimes I have to remind myself to relax and go out and have fun,” Giroux said.
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