An Icon for a Generation of Flyers Fans
There’s no doubt that Flyers’ captain Claude Giroux is a franchise icon. When you play 1,000 games for one franchise, it is almost impossible to not reach that status. For nearly a decade, our favorite bearded hockey player has captained the Flyers, and his mark has been left on a proud organization. Leading by example has been a Giroux staple, and if moved by the NHL trade deadline, his presence will surely be missed. It will be missed not only by teammates and coaches alike, but by fans around the world as well. With the idea of Giroux getting dealt becoming more and more a reality, I’d like to take the chance to thank Giroux for all he has done. Giroux has given fans memories that will last a lifetime, and following are 10 of those that highlight G’s time in the city of Brotherly Love.
10. First NHL Goal
They say you always remember your first, and Giroux’s first NHL goal was one to remember. On January 27th, 2009 Giroux found himself in the midst of an emergency call-up to the big club. Against the Panthers, Claude was the recipient of a stretch pass from Darroll Powe that lead to a breakaway during a delayed penalty. From center-ice the race was on, and the 20 year-old flew down the wing to fire one past Tomas Vokoun’s glove. Giroux would score countless breakaway goals in a similar fashion in the years to come.
9. MVP of the 2022 NHL All-Star Game
The 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend was such a special time for Giroux and his family. For once, it was nice to see the NHL community as a whole appreciate the underrated talents of Philly’s superstar. Giroux showed out in the league’s showcase weekend with three goals and an assist in two games to earn MVP honors. It wasn’t the game though that made the weekend so special for Claude. It was the fact that he could share the moment with his family, and especially his son Gavin, that made the Vegas getaway so memorable.
8. Draft Day
“Philadelphia selects from Gatineau of the Quebec Junior League… um, I forget… Claude Giroux, sorry!”
It’s been said a million times but I’ll say it again, Giroux made sure that Bob Clarke would end up remembering his name. In the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers were fortunate to select Claude Giroux with the 22nd overall pick. After being picked by the Flyers, Giroux would only go on to become first in franchise Powerplay points, second in assists as well as points, and eighth in goals scored.
7. Becoming Captain
Now that Claude has worn the ‘C’ on his sweater for nearly a decade, it is hard to imagine him without it. On January 15th, 2013 Giroux became the 19th captain in Flyers history. After his third full season with the team, Giroux was given the honor of team captain and from that point on the Flyers were his team. More than 600 games later, Giroux would become the franchise’s longest tenured captain, a feat that speaks for itself. Claude has enjoyed longevity as well as great production in his career, and his play has always set an example for teammates of all backgrounds.
6. Hat Trick vs. Rangers Caps Off 2018 Hart-Worthy Season
Giroux’s 2017-18 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. In 82 games, the captain amassed 34 goals and 68 assists for a total of 102 points. That would place him only second to Connor McDavid who registered 108 points (yeah, read that again). Unfortunately, Hart voting would place Giroux at fourth in terms of league MVP, but his regular season finale was an exclamation point that should’ve resulted in at least a nomination. With the standings packed ever so tightly as they usually are in the Metropolitan Division, the Flyers were not guaranteed a spot in the postseason up until the final game. With a hat trick effort from Giroux where he beat legendary goaltender Henrik Lundqvist three times, the Flyers punched their ticket to the postseason. Without his heroics that year, the Flyers wouldn’t have made the playoffs. If that’s not the definition of league MVP, I’m not sure what is.
5. Shootout Winner Propels Flyers Into a Cup Run
Lundqvist was the victim of another Giroux career defining moment in 2010. It was the season finale, and a playoff spot was on the line. In simple terms, win and you’re in. Giroux stepped up in the moment and beat Lundqvist cleanly in a shootout attempt that made fans in all sections of the Wells Fargo Center erupt. After a save was made by Brian Boucher at the other end of the ice, the Flyers were in the playoffs! As fans, we had no idea that a season finale shootout goal would lead an 8-seed team to the Stanley Cup Final, but looking back, it makes that moment ever so sweeter.
4. Giroux’s 1,000th Game
When it comes to spectacles, the 1,000th game of Claude Giroux’s career may be the biggest one. In the midst of a season from hell, fans packed the Wells Fargo Center to celebrate a hockey hero. Giroux was honored in countless ways, from a touching video tribute, to ’28’ styled patches on the team’s jersey, to the presentation of wonderful gifts, and of course having his family in the building. Giroux has poured his heart and soul into Flyers hockey, and it was only right that the same energy was reciprocated back to him from fans and teammates alike. After a comeback win, 5-4 against the Nashville Predators, Giroux set out for what felt like a farewell lap around center ice. On that night, Giroux was the team’s first star, a title he has held for an era of Flyers hockey.
3. 2019 Stadium Series OT Winner
In a venue used to seeing football action, it was hockey on display at Lincoln Financial Field. The occasion was the 2019 NHL Stadium Series which saw two cross-state rivals battle in the bitter cold. A miraculous comeback was in the works for the Flyers, who found themselves down multiple goals late in the third period. With a bit of a Powerplay scrum in front of Matt Murray and a lucky bounce from the boards a la Jake Voracek, the Flyers escaped regulation into the exciting 3-on-3 OT period. It was Giroux’s time to shine. Full steam ahead, Giroux carried the puck into the offensive zone and faked out an unsuspecting Penguins defenseman to beat Murray once more and seal the deal. Overtime goal number 11 set a new Flyers franchise record as Giroux celebrated with arms wide open, an iconic celebration now in Flyers history.
2. Game 3 OT Goal in 2010 Stanley Cup Final
The 2010 Stanley Cup Final. What a ride it was to experience such an amazing postseason run. From Giroux’s regular season finale shootout winner, to coming back three games to none against Boston, to playing for the most coveted trophy in sports, that postseason was unforgettable. My fondest memory of the finals is Giroux’s Game 3 overtime winner. With a feed from Briere over to Matt Carle, Giroux slid his way in front of Blackhawks’ goalie Antti Niemi to masterfully deflect home an OT dagger. The energy in the building could have the hair on your arms standing up, and you could be watching from home. Watching the players celebrate, hearing the fans go crazy with the goal horn vocalizing in the background, and seeing Mr. Snider high five the Flyers faithful is a memory I treasure, especially given the current state of the Flyers. I only hope that one day, regardless of what jersey is on him, Claude Giroux will find himself hoisting the greatest trophy in the world above his head.
1. The Shift
2012 Playoffs. Wells Fargo Center. Game 6.
32 seconds was all it took for Claude Giroux to tell the world that the Penguins’ postseason was over. With a triumphant body check into superstar Sidney Crosby, the crowd went wild as Giroux adjusted his helmet after impact. Just one whistle and seconds later, Giroux would dice his way into the offensive zone and fire a laser off the post and past Marc-Andre Fleury. Headed towards the fans in celebration, Giroux raised his arms and crashed into the boards with purpose. Claude Giroux’s career and Flyers hockey was summed up perfectly in half a minute. If you play for the Orange and Black, you smash your opponent with no fear and make your presence felt. Whenever I picture Claude Giroux, I’m taken back to this shift and instantly feel goosebumps. This moment is the heart of hockey, a heart that beats furiously in Claude Giroux each time he steps onto the ice.
Cover Photo Credit: @NHLFlyers on Twitter
By: Jacob Hollamby @Jaqueezyyyy
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