A LeClair Tribute

I am a Flyers fan because of John LeClair. One lazy afternoon when I was in high school, I turned on the TV and found myself watching a Flyers game. This was pretty unusual: I lived in Seoul, South Korea at the time, and hockey games were frankly a rarity. Since a Philly team was playing, I decided to watch, and I had the pleasure of watching the Flyers systematically destroy the Habs. During the game, the commentators gave me all the background I needed. You see, it was 1995, and only a few days had passed since the big trade that brought LeClair to Philadelphia. LeClair had already raised his game to a new level, however, and he had a hat trick against Patrick Roy to lead the Flyers to victory. Thus, a Flyers fan was born, and the rest is history: the Flyers haven't been the same since. So here's my little tribute to one great left winger.

John LeClair is one of the best stories in all of professional hockey. In February 1995, Bobby Clarke, the GM of the Flyers and a great player in his own time, pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal with Montreal. The marquee players were Mark Recchi, the NHL's leading ironman at the time, and Eric Desjardins, a reliable force on the blue line. Almost as an afterthought, a little known power forward named John LeClair was thrown in. Number 10 was promptly thrown on a line with Mikael Renberg (who is now, sadly, with Tampa Bay), and the Big E himself, Eric Lindros. Then the miracle occured. There was some unexpected chemical reaction between these three players, and the once woeful Flyers, who had missed the playoffs for five consecutive reasons, went on a joyride all the way to the conference finals. LeClair won the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy that year as the most improved Flyer.

Some said that his success was due to his more famous linemates. Others said it was a fluke. With his typical modesty, Johnny "LeClutch" proved them wrong. He was a big force in the United States World Cup victory in 1996, and he went on to score 50 goals in both 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98, joining Tim Kerr as the only Flyer to achieve such a feat. Also, when Lindros has been injured, LeClair has picked up the slack. In 1996-97 and 1997-98, he won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the Flyers MVP.

Eric Desjardins congratulates John LeClair on his 50th goal in 1995-96

Injuries and team struggles have lowered LeClair's numbers in recent years. He still managed, however, to become the first Flyer to score 40+ goals in 5 consecutive seasons. He is now one of the team's alternate captains. Ironically, all three of the Flyers' current captains were involved in that landmark trade. Mark Recchi came back, had a monster season, and became an alternate captain with Desjardins became permanant captain. Eric Desjardins is still the back bone of the Flyers defense.

Throughout his incredible rise to stardom, LeClair has maintained a humble and unassuming attitude. He's happy to share his success with his teammates, does a lot of charity work, and never forgets his roots in St. Albans, Vermont. Such a personality is so rare in professional sports that we must appreciate the few we have. There's a great article in Sports Illustrated called Vermont Made all about the best left wing in the NHL.

Check out my player page for John

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