Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Flyers
The Hockey Hall of Fame today announced that former Flyers captain, Eric Lindros, and former head coach, Pat Quinn, will be a member of the 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame induction class.
Lindros is one of three players (Rogie Vachon; Sergei Makarov), while Quinn enters the Hall’s Builders category as both will be officially enshrined in ceremonies in Toronto on Monday, November 14.
“I am extremely excited and happy to hear the news of Eric Lindros getting into the Hall of Fame today,” said Flyers President Paul Holmgren. “Eric had a shortened career due to injuries but the impact he had on the game was phenomenal. We are all still looking for 6-5, 245 lbs. guys who can skate and play a skilled and physical game like Eric could. This is great news for the Flyers organization and great news for Eric Lindros and his family. I’m very happy for him.
“Also, I’m very excited to hear the news of Pat Quinn getting in the Builders category. I’ve known Pat a long time and can’t say enough about Pat, the man, the hockey coach the hockey person. I’m happy for his wife Sandra, his daughters Valerie and Kalli to be able to see their father go in. It’s really exciting to see both of these guys go into the Hall of Fame.”
Lindros was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Quebec Nordiques in the summer of 1992. He made his NHL debut that fall in the club’s October 6, 1992 season opener against Pittsburgh, scoring a goal in a 3-3 tie. It was the first of his 41 goals that season, which established a franchise record for goals scored by a rookie that still stands.
Lindros was named the 11th captain in Flyers history on September 6, 1994, and at the age of 21 became the youngest player in franchise history to hold the role. He recorded a 70-point season (29g-41a) in 46 games during the shortened season of 1994-95, which tied for the league lead and earned him the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player, joining Bobby Clarke as the only two Flyers ever to win the award.
He scored a career-high 115 points the following season in 1995-96, which ranks as the fourth-highest single-season total in team history behind only Mark Recchi (123 pts, 1992-93) and Clarke (119 pts, 1975-76 and 116 pts, 1974-75). Lindros went on to post well above a point-per-game average in each of the next four seasons, never scoring fewer than 27 goals.
Lindros appeared in 486 games for the Flyers over eight seasons, rising to fifth on the club’s all-time scoring list with 290 goals and 369 assists for 659 points. His career points-per-game average of 1.36 ranks first in franchise history.
He was a six-time NHL All-Star and appeared in three Olympic Games for Team Canada – in 1992 as an amateur and in 1998 and 2002 with other NHL players.
Quinn was the fifth head coach in Flyers history.
He was behind the bench from 1979 to 1982, compiling a record of 141-73-48, and led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final in 1980. The 1979-80 team’s 35-game unbeaten streak (25-0-10) from October 14, 1979 to January 6, 1980 remains an NHL record. Quinn was honored with the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year following that season.
Quinn becomes fifth Flyer to be inducted into the Builders category, while Lindros becomes the 11th person to be inducted into the Player category after spending a portion of his career playing for the Flyers. He also becomes the fifth former Flyers captain to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining Bill Barber, Bob Clarke, Peter Forsberg and Chris Pronger.
