Tuesday, March 13, 2007

LeClair to retire as Flyer?

John LeClair, fifth all-time on the Flyers' goal list, may be retiring as a Philadelphia Flyer. The Courier-Post reported over the weekend that the team may sign LeClair to a tryout contract, have him play in the final few games of the season, and thus afford him the opportunity to retire with the team where he spent the 10 best years of his career.

Interestingly, the Courier also reports in the same article that newly acquired Scottie Upshall requested the number 10 upon his arrival and was denied. Could a number retirement ceremony be in the offing?

While I would have no problem with LeClair's jersey being retired, I think it's an outrage that former Flyer and current radio broadcaster Brian Propp has not had his jersey retired by the team.

(In the interest of full disclosure, Propp is my all-time favorite hockey player. I even have a Hartford Whalers jersey with his name and number on it.)

Propp is currently ranked second in goals (389), second in assists (480), and third in scoring (849) on the Flyers All-Time Lists, yet does not have his jersey retired. Even worse, he has to broadcast games while watching Darren Reid wear #26. For an organization that prides itself on its sense of family and togetherness, it's mind-boggling that Propp's number has not been retired.

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