Eric Lindros Retires After 13 NHL Seasons

[VodkaFish]

Former Lester B. Pearson & Hart Trophy winner hangs up the blades; explosive power and pure goal scoring abilities defined his career

TORONTO – Eric Lindros, a 13-year veteran with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars, officially announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) today at a gala dinner in his birth city of London, Ontario. Lindros, 34, walks away from the game as one of the most gifted and physical hockey players in NHL history.

During his distinguished NHL career, Lindros accumulated career totals of 372 goals and 493 assists, for 865 points. The 6-time NHL All-Star was the recipient of both the Hart Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1994-95. ‘The Big E’, as he came to be known in the hockey world, made an immediate impact on the league with his offensive talent and imposing physical presence. Many credit his style of play as being the mold from which the modern power forward was developed.

“My decision to retire from professional hockey is something that I have been considering for some time, and did not come easily,” said Lindros. “I will miss the day-to-day activity of being a member of a team, and the camaraderie that I developed with my teammates will never be forgotten.”

Drafted 1st overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1991 Entry Draft, Lindros began his career the following year in Philadelphia after a blockbuster trade that saw the Flyers acquire his rights from Quebec. He played eight seasons for the Flyers, many of these years manning the middle on the famous ‘Legion of Doom’ line with John LeClair and Mikael Renberg. Lindros captained the Flyers from 1994-95 through March 1999. His career in Philadelphia was highlighted by leading the Flyers to the Stanley Cup final in 1996-97, against the Detroit Red Wings.

After a year away from the game in 2000-01, Lindros was dealt to the New York Rangers prior to the 2001-02 season where he continued his stellar career. He led the Rangers in scoring in his first year under the bright lights of Broadway, scoring 37 goals and adding 36 assists for 73 points. His 138 minutes in penalties that year proved that Lindros had not lost his appetite for hard-nosed play, something that fans all around the hockey world had come to identify with ‘The Big E’.

Upon leaving New York, Lindros would realize a childhood dream by signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of 2005. The opportunity to perform at home in Toronto was a welcome challenge for Lindros and something that he handled with the utmost professionalism. He would play his final season in the NHL with the Dallas Stars in 2006-07.

Lindros also answered the call of his country on numerous occasions, appearing in over 90 games with the Canadian Maple Leaf on his chest. He suited up in three World Junior tournaments for Canada (1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92), serving as captain in 1990-91 and 1991-92, and capturing gold in 1989-90 and 1990-91. He also donned the red and white Canadian sweater in the 1991 Canada Cup, as a teenager, where he was a member of the championship-winning Canadian squad. This tournament was Lindros’ first chance to measure himself against the elite of the hockey world. His performance spoke volumes about his ability and showcased the skills of a budding young NHL superstar.

Lindros would also represent Canada in three separate Olympic games: 1992 in Albertville, France (silver medal); 1998 in Nagano, Japan (4th place), where he served as Captain; and the 2002 games in Salt Lake City, Utah. In Salt Lake, Lindros played a key role with the team that brought the Olympic hockey gold medal back to Canada for the first time in over fifty years. Lindros also suited up for Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, where his Canadian side was defeated in the final series by Team U.S.A.

Lindros was also a champion in the junior ranks, as he guided the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals to a Memorial Cup title in 1990. Lindros goes down as one of the most sought after and scrutinized junior players in the history of hockey in Canada. The level of attention placed on Lindros during his years in Oshawa is something that is afforded only to the elite junior level players making their way to the NHL.

In July, 2007, Lindros was chosen as one of five-members of the committee that would ultimately recommend Paul Kelly as the new Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). He also played an integral role in the creation and revision of the new NHLPA constitution, a document that will alter the structure and distribution of power within the players union. This work for the NHLPA, and the process under which it was conducted, was something that Lindros undertook with great passion.

“My work in assisting the members of the NHLPA select Paul Kelly as the new Executive Director and create a new constitution, is something that I feel very proud to have been a part of,” said Lindros.

[bengino]

as much as i hated his off ice antics, the guy could have been much more of an impact player had he learned to play the game the right way. Not to bash the guy's career he played great, but he should have known better then to skate with his head down anywhere.

In any event, i wish him the best in any future endeavors, let's hope we won't get any of that nasty shiznit that can happen with severly concussed people (like Chris Benoit)

[BStreetBullies]

I put this in the other thread, but here's a nice little tribute to the "next great one"...

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=DWqyNCs8i3g[/youtube]

[ruffryder]

The people champ......I will miss 88. Screw Quebec City

[FlyersEnforcer]

Best of luck Eric, One of Philly's greatest. could have been even greater if he kepted his head up and his parents left him alone.

[D Y B FLYERS]

Thanks for the great memories in Philly! He was, and will remain my favorite player of all time. Too bad for his concussions, he was a beast in his prime!

[The Don]

Originally Posted by BStreetBullies

I put this in the other thread, but here's a nice little tribute to the "next great one"...

Great video. Playing like Lindros did will make anyone retire early (plus having a soft head as well unfortunately). One of the most complete players of all time in his prime.

[BM24]

Lets try to keep this thread without all the bashing on him...

Lindros broke into the league at the same time that I was starting to really become interested in improving myself as a hockey player and learning more about the game. In a way I think Lindros is part of the reason why I love tough hockey and hockey fighting in general. For his 6 years of dominance I have never seen someone that young dominate opposing teams the way that Lindros could.

I am far from a fan of all of his off-ice antics and the drama that followed him through-out his career...but as far as watching a player play the game, I dreamed about being able to play exactly like this guy (with the exception of taking the same hits) and I am actually a little sad to see him go out the way he is.

[Mike Kole]

Monster on the ice, gigantic baby off the ice. Loved watching him play, cringed every time there was off-ice coverage about him. Wish there were more players like him.

[xELi]

king of kings

[wellzy]

Like BM said, every big hockey player wanted to play like Lindros.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

He was a dominant force for a very long time. I suspect he will make the HOF with the numbers he was able to put up.

[Corpse]

Sad to see him go. One of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of skates as far as I am concerned. Ya he had some baggage but I could careless about that, he's a hockey player and should be judged on his hockey ability.

[Juha82]

Despite of Lindros's some dramas, he put up great numbers early of his careers.
He was like a bull on the ice in his prime.

[canuck2]

A waste of incredible talent. The most talented combination of power, speed and finesse the game has ever seen. But if they CAT scanned his brain they would see fragments of wet noodles.

His parents controlled his life way too much. He had bad karma from all the manipulating he did from juniors on. If you lived in Ontario you would know the full scope of what a bunch of idiots his parent were. They shaped Eric into the adult he became.

Lacked leadership skills and in the end created too much havoc on the teams he was supposed to lead. It diminished the overall product.

Good career but nothing like it should have been.