Philadelphia Flyers legend passes away at 81 years old
Photo credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Flyers are mourning one of the faces of their earliest years. André Lacroix, the slick centre who helped give the young franchise its first scoring identity, has died at the age of 81.
The news became public Tuesday, and the Flyers responded with a statement sending condolences to his family, friends and former teammates, noting his influence stretched far beyond the ice.
A Founding-Era Star in Philadelphia
Lacroix joined the Flyers organization ahead of the franchise's inaugural 1967-68 season, then earned his NHL call-up after starring for the AHL's Quebec Aces. He tallied 14 points in 18 games during that debut stretch. The Quebec native made an immediate impact.
He led Philadelphia in scoring in both 1969 and 1970, and he reached 20 goals in each of his first three full seasons. In 245 games with the Flyers, he produced 170 points, a remarkable total for a team still finding its footing.
The Magician Who Ruled the WHA
After a single difficult season in Chicago, Lacroix found his true stage in the World Hockey Association. He became the league's all-time leading scorer, posted six 100-point seasons and earned the nickname The Magician.
He also made Canada's roster for the 1974 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Lacroix later returned to the NHL briefly with the Hartford Whalers, finishing with 198 NHL points in 325 games.
Away from the rink, Lacroix stayed devoted to the game. He founded a power hockey academy, ran youth programs, operated a rink in Ohio and coached a high school varsity team. In 2020, he released an autobiography reflecting on his life on and off the ice.
For Flyers fans, Lacroix represents the club's formative years, when talent like his helped build the foundation for everything that followed.
His vision and scoring touch carried across two leagues and more than a decade of pro hockey, leaving a legacy few players of his era could match. Hockey has lost a brilliant playmaker, and Philadelphia has lost one of its original stars.
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6 HOURS AGO|1 ANSWERS Philadelphia Flyers legend passes away at 81 years old RIP Andre Lacroix. |