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Flyers to Retire Lindros' No. 88 |
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Among the nearly 600 players to don a Philadelphia Flyers uniform in the franchise's half-century of existence, just 20 to date have received induction into the Flyers Hall of Fame. Even rarer is jersey retirement.
On Monday, the Flyers announced that Eric Lindros will become the sixth to have his jersey retired. On Jan. 18, 2018, before the Flyers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Wells Fargo Center, Lindros' famed No. 88 will be raised to the rafters. He will join Bernie Parent (No. 1), Mark Howe (No. 2), Barry Ashbee (No. 4), Bill Barber (No. 7) and Bob Clarke (No. 16).
Once Lindros was selected for Hockey Hall of Fame induction in 2016, his jersey retirement by the Flyers became a virtual lock. Last season, Lindros participated in several of the Heritage Night and Flyers Alumni events that were part of the Flyers' 50th Anniversary celebration and he was already a member of the Flyers Hall of Fame.
Over the last five or six years, Lindros and the Flyers organization have put aside the differences that led to a messy and protracted divorce between the club and its all-time leading point-per-game performer. The Flyers have embraced his legacy as one of the NHL's most dominant forces of the 1990s and his indelible role as the central figure in team history during that decade.
Whatever mutual awkwardness there may have been about the idea of Lindros taking part in the Flyers Alumni vs. Rangers Alumni Game at Citizens Bank Park on Dec. 31, 2011 has long since dissipated. Flyers team president Paul Holmgren has been a central figure in the reconciliation.
"Years have gone by here, and I’ve talked at length with Homer and we’ve had great conversations. We have a good sense of trust and understanding of one another. Things have evolved since we began speaking, at that outdoor game and prior to that. Like I said, I’m just extremely honored and fortunate to be in the situation that I’m in," Lindros said in a media conference call on Monday.
Indeed, during the various 50th Anniversary festivities over the past year, Lindros mixed and mingled easily and comfortably with everyone. For example, upon his dressing room arrival at Santander Arena in Reading for the Flyers Alumni's rematch game against the Penguins Alumni, Lindros warmly embraced Holmgren as Bob "the Hound" Kelly called out, "Boys, the big guy is here!"
Time heals most wounds. Bob Clarke, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee, was among the most vocal advocates for Lindros' HHOF candidacy. Even back in 2011-12 when the Flyers and Lindros briefly discussed an NHL comeback bid, Clarke offered to sell the late Ed Snider on the idea. He and Lindros may never become golfing buddies but the relationship between two of the Flyers icons is now a cordial and mutually respectful one.
As for Lindros himself, the fact that he is now the 44-year-old father of three young children adds another layer of dimension to the upcoming jersey retirement. It is something he can share with his wife and kids that the children will come in time to better understand.
"I think it’ll be part of the fun. Our twins will be 2 ½ then and Carl Pierre will be about a half year away from turning four. I think Carl will probably get it a little bit better than Ryan and Sophie, but it should be exciting. Carl had a great time at the Hall of Fame events and enjoyed himself there. It’s just fun to be with your family and have a chance to be there together and celebrate together," Lindros said.
Eric Lindros, long since free of post-concussion symptoms but still a crusader for concussion research and education, is a man at peace. He's at peace with himself, his career and with the hockey team with whom he will always be most associated. For generations to come, fans will only need to look up to see his number in the rafters to get an immediate sense of his impact on franchise history.
It is a fitting tribute. Side note: The final profile in the Flyers Top 25 in the Last 25 Years series currently running daily on Hockey Buzz -- i.e., the number one spot -- will be Eric Lindros.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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