- Andre Lacroix, an original member of the Flyers, has died at 81
- He led Philadelphia in scoring twice and became the WHA’s all-time leading scorer
- Read below for more on his career and the Flyers’ tribute
Andre Lacroix has died at the age of 81.
The Flyers announced the passing of the original team member Tuesday, and the NHL community is remembering one of the most productive playmakers hockey saw in the 1960s and 70s.
Here’s the Flyers’ tribute:
Lacroix joined Philadelphia during its inaugural season in 1967 and stayed until 1971, playing 245 games in the Orange and Black. He led the Flyers in scoring in both 1968-69 (56 points) and 1969-70 (58 points).
The team called him a beloved teammate who could light up any room, and said his impact went well beyond the ice.
A trade sent him to the Chicago Black Hawks for 1971-72, but his best years were still ahead of him. Lacroix jumped to the WHA and became the league’s greatest scorer, finishing with 798 points, 547 assists and 551 games played, all league records.
He won two scoring titles. The first came in 1972-73 with the Philadelphia Blazers, when he put up 124 points. The second came in 1974-75 with the San Diego Mariners, when he racked up 147 points in 78 games.
That 147-point season included 106 assists. At the time, only Bobby Orr had reached 100 assists in a professional season, and Lacroix’s mark stood until Wayne Gretzky hit 109 for the Oilers in 1980-81.
Lacroix also played for Team Canada in the 1974 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He had seven points in eight games and scored the game-winner in Canada’s lone victory, a 4-1 win in Game 2 at Maple Leaf Gardens.
He returned to the NHL after the WHA merged in 1979 and played one final season with the Hartford Whalers before retiring. His NHL line ended at 198 points in 325 games.
Another star from that era, Blackhawks legend Dennis Hull, passed away at 81 as well.
We at Gino Hard send our condolences to Lacroix’s family, friends, and former teammates.
