The Flyers announced six nominees to be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame this season. There could be more than one induction into this Hall of Fame this season, and we will share that with you later. First, let’s not forget who these players were, and why they were nominated for this great honor.
Simon Gagné
Gagné was a clutch player for the Flyers and played 11 seasons as member of the orange and black. He is a former two-time winner of the Bobby Clarke Trophy Team MVP, and he ranks 10th in franchise history in goals with 264. Gagné is sixth in game-winning goals with 47, as well.
The 41-year-old in Gagné has six career playoff game-winning goals, including overtime game-winners in Game 6 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Game 4 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins. Moreover, he also scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 at Boston in 2010 that sparked the comeback from being down 0 to 3.
Mark Recchi
Recchi played 10 seasons as a Flyer, and he ranks 9th all-time in scoring with 627 points. He was an integral part to the organization for many years.
The 53-year-old in Recchi is one of only two Flyers to have multiple 100+ point seasons in his career. He also represented the Flyers in three NHL All-Star Games (1993, 1994, 2000). Recchi is as decorated as they come, and is worthy of an induction into the Flyers Hall of Fame.
Bob ‘The Hound’ Kelly
Bob ‘The Hound’ Kelly is a member of both Stanley Cup championship teams, and he scored the game-winning goal to clinch the Stanley Cup in Game 6 in 1975.
He has served the Flyers for the last 18 years as an Ambassador of Hockey. Kelly has been one of the focal points of the team’s community efforts with youth hockey clinics and fantasy camps. He has a face that every Flyers fan knows and loves.
Rick Tocchet
Tocchet played 11 seasons with the Flyers, including one season as Captain in 1991-92. He is the Flyers all-time leader in penalty minutes with 1,815. Tocchet played the game with a lot of grit and snarl. He would stick up for his teammates, and take some necessary penalties. Of course, he provided offense to pair along with his grit and snarl, as his 27 goals and 60 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs both rank 10th in franchise history.
Lou Nolan
The iconic voice of the Flyers in Nolan started his career with the organization as an assistant during the inaugural season in 1967-68. He became the team’s public address announcer at the start of the 1972-73 season, a position that he has held ever since.
it is unfathomable that Nolan was the voice of the Spectrum for both Stanley Cup championships, but it’s true. He has one of those voices that every Flyers fan knows, and most away fans know I’m sure. When he speaks people listen.
Paul Holmgren
Holmgren has served the Flyers organization for over 40 years. He is the only individual in Flyers history to serve the organization as a player (1975-1984), assistant coach (1985-88), head coach (1988-92), general manager (2006-14) and president (2014-19). One thing Holmgren had was guts, as he traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter when he was a general manager of the organization.
As a player, he was a member of the Flyers during their historic 35-game unbeaten streak, and he even scored a career-high 30 goals at one point.
All of These fine people are more than worthy of an induction into the Flyers Hall of Fame. There may also be more than one member inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame this season, as David Scott said yesterday, “We’re even more excited to honor a new member or members of the Flyers Hall of Fame at a game this season.” Of course, member or members are key words. With that being said who is worthy of being voted into the Flyers Hall of Fame?
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I would pick Mike Recchi and Lou Nolan for this years inductees.