Philadelphia Flyers: Top 5 Moments of Simon Gagne’s Career
It has been over 17 years since the Philadelphia Flyers selected a young Canadian winger with the 22nd pick in the 1998 draft. That winger, Simon Gagne, built himself a wonderful National Hockey League career, and cemented himself as one of the best Flyers of all time, playing over ten seasons in Philadelphia.
During his career Gagne scored close to 300 goals, and just over 600 points. When you play for that long and at that high of a level, it’s hard not to have a few moments that are particularly emotional, whether for their sentimental value or for their outstanding achievement.
I took some time to reflect on a few highlights from the career of one of the greatest players to ever sport the Orange and Black.
Next: #5
5) The Homecoming Goal
By 2013, Simon Gagne was already a Philadelphia Flyers legend. However, when the team traded with the Kings to have him return during the lockout-shortened season, it just added to the spectacular legacy of Gagne in Philadelphia.
In his first game back with the lovely team that drafted him, Gagne did not disappoint. The team and their fans were treated to a power play goal early in the second period. It was an emotional moment, and one that warmed the hearts of Flyers fans around the world.
Next: #4
4) Gold Medal at 2002 Olympics
While winning Gold for ice hockey is nothing out of the ordinary for Team Canada, this was the only gold medal-winning team that Simon Gagne was ever a part of.
Though he was only 21 years-old at the time, Gagne played well through the Olympics, putting up four points in six games, scoring a goal in the semifinal game against Belarus. He was invited back to the team for the 2006 games, but did not make nearly as much of an impact.
Next: #3
3) Game 6, 2004 Eastern Conference Finals
Simon Gagne had two goals in this game, the Flyers’ first of the game and their last. However, the first one doesn’t have quite the history that the second one—the overtime winner—does.
The Flyers trailed the series 3-2, and they were behind 4-3 in the game, until captain Keith Primeau tied it up with under two minutes to play in regulation. Then, late in overtime, Gagne found himself in front of the net at the right time to bang home the rebound. The rest is history.
Also, Gary Thorne’s spectacular call, “Simon Gagne! We’ve got a Game Seven!” is guaranteed to give you chills every time.
Next: #2
2) Winning the Stanley Cup
It is the dream of every NHL player to win the Stanley Cup. There are thousands of players who have never done it, but Simon Gagne is not one of them after winning the championship as a member of the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings.
Granted, Gagne wasn’t spectacular during his tenure as a King, recording only 22 points in 45 games over two seasons, playing only 11 games in the Cup-winning season. He was also a non-factor through those entire playoffs, playing only four games in the postseason and recording zero points. It’s almost funny that he won the Cup this way, after being such an important part of so many strong Flyers teams.
Nonetheless, much like Kimmo Timonen, it’s hard to say that Gagne did not deserve a championship after the successful career that he had, and getting it was a tremendous highlight in the winger’s career.
Next: #1
1) The Entire 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals
That series was a work of art for the Flyers, and for Gagne in particular. Despite having won an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup, the memorable series against the Bruins was arguably the pinnacle of Simon Gagne’s hockey achievement.
After suffering a broken toe in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the New Jersey Devils, Gagne missed the first three games of the ECSF against the Boston Bruins, all of which the Flyers lost. Gagne returned just in time for game four, and scored the game-winning goal in an emotional overtime. He then went on to have two goals in Game 5, and a point in Game 6, before reaching the historic Game 7.
At this point, you all know the story: The Flyers trailed 3-0 in the series and 3-0 in the game. However, once they came back to tie it, who scored that game-winning, series-clinching goal? Simon Gagne.
Next: 3 Simon Gagne Playoff Goals to Remember