More than three years have passed since he was first traded to the Florida Panthers, but memories of Claude Giroux's 15 seasons in Philadelphia are often met with bitterness and frustration in the Flyers' failure to maximize his prime. Regardless, Giroux's statistical dominance, record-setting tenure as captain of the franchise, and clutch moments in big games cement him as a cornerstone of Flyers history.
A franchise pillar in Philadelphia, Giroux is second in Flyers history in games played (1,000), assists (609) and points (900) – just behind Bobby Clarke. He also sits atop the franchise leaderboard in power-play points (339) and regular season overtime goals (11). He played 1,000 games for Philadelphia, becoming just the second player in team history to do so, and passed Clarke to become the longest-tenured Flyers captain when he played his 611th game with the "C" on his chest in 2021.
Naturally, Giroux was a five-time recipient of the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the Flyers' MVP. He was a seven-time NHL All-Star, winning the All-Star Game MVP with a four-goal performance in 2022. He was a finalist for the Hart Trophy in 2013-14 and placed fourth in 2017-18, when he achieved a rare 102-point season.
Claude Giroux’s Flyers legacy feels untouchable after all these years
Giroux will always be remembered for gifting the Flyers faithful iconic moments like “The Shift” (Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2012, where Giroux lit up Crosby then scored), his electrifying overtime winner in the 2019 Stadium Series and the 2010 Stanley Cup Final overtime goal. But isn't just the longest-tenured Flyers captain or one of the franchise's top offensive players; he’s a living legend and a symbol of consistency, leadership and loyalty.
The heart of the Flyers franchise, Giroux was known for leading through positivity and relentless work ethic throughout his tenure as captain. He embraced positional changes between center and wing for the benefit of the team, leading by example for his teammates.
Now in the twilight of his career with his hometown Ottawa Senators, Giroux will always be an important part of Flyers history. Whether or not he eventually joins the Hockey Hall of Fame, in Philadelphia, Giroux is already part of the franchise’s elite class of icons.