yardbarker
Andre Lacroix, a foundational player for the Philadelphia Flyers during their first NHL seasons, has passed away at 81. The team confirmed the news in a statement that highlighted both his on-ice contributions and his personal impact during the franchise's early years.
A native of Lauzon, Quebec, Lacroix came to Philadelphia as a center after a standout junior career with the Peterborough Petes. He made his NHL debut with the Flyers in their inaugural 1967-68 season and remained with the club through 1970-71, skating in 245 games.
During that period, Lacroix emerged as a dependable scorer for a team still establishing its identity. He led the Flyers in points in back-to-back seasons, recording 56 points in 1968-69 and 58 the following year. Despite being listed at 5-foot-8, he relied on vision and timing rather than size, making him one of the club's early offensive anchors.
The Flyers organization reflected warmly on that era. In their statement, the team emphasized that Lacroix's influence extended well beyond the ice. He was remembered as a beloved teammate who had a unique ability to bring people together, a personality that could light up a room and whose presence resonated in the locker room and the community.
That sentiment aligns with the image of a player who produced consistently while earning the respect of those around him during Philadelphia's first four NHL seasons. After a trade to Chicago in 1971, Lacroix's NHL career with the Flyers ended, but his connection to the city persisted.
He returned in 1972-73 as a member of the WHA's Philadelphia Blazers and delivered one of his best professional seasons, scoring 50 goals and totaling 124 points. Over the course of his WHA career, he became the league's all-time leader in points, assists, and games played, though the Flyers' memory of him centers on the years he helped a new franchise take root.
A brief later return to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers, where he skated alongside Gordie Howe, added another chapter to his career. Yet the organization that first brought him to the league has framed his legacy around his early years in Philadelphia.
Lacroix finished his professional career with 325 NHL games and nearly 1,000 combined points across the two leagues. The Flyers extended their condolences to his family, friends, and former teammates, underscoring that an original member of the club remains part of the franchise's story long after his final shift.
Originally reported by yardbarker.