Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/Getty Images
A Hearst, Ontario native in Claude Giroux donned a backwards hat, and shorts yesterday why he skated with his family and friends in Voorhees, just taking in the moment, “I’m trying to focus on playing a 1,000th game with the Flyers,” Giroux said. “It’s something I’m proud of. I’m very happy I got a chance to do this. After that, it’s going to be change the mindset a little bit and see how things are going to go.”
“Playing 1,000 games for one organization I think doesn’t happen often anymore. It was important to do this.” – Claude Giroux
With the trade deadline looming, this event, or goodbye event puts things in perspective. This may very well be his last game as a Flyer, so he’s trying to relish the moment.
Giroux made his NHL Debut on February 19, 2008. From there he continues to break Flyers record after record as he calls his team his second family, “I love them,” he said. “This week they have made me feel pretty special. It makes me feel a little awkward, but a lot of people like to feel love like this.”
Sean Couturier said on Monday that if Giroux got traded he would be happy for him. He said he’s been his teammate for a long time, and that Giroux has done a lot for his career. Giroux has done so much for this organization, and given his all. It’s only right for him to dictate how he departs.
But on one Wednesday, the day before his 1,000th NHL game, Giroux was cracking smiles and laughing, even joking, “Yeah, I don’t eat grilled cheese before every game anymore, but it’s a great meal.”
A great player in Giroux will become the 71st player in NHL history to play in 1,000 games for the same franchise. Grilled Cheese will be sold in sections 107 and 211, to include Press Row in honor of Giroux’s favorite meal. This is a historic moment, and one that Giroux and his family will remember for the rest of their lives.
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