The Philadelphia Flyers announced Tuesday that André Lacroix, an original member of the franchise, has died.
The club extended its condolences to his family, friends, former teammates and all those who knew and loved him.
Lacroix joined the Flyers during their inaugural season in 1967 and stayed with the club until 1971.
He appeared in 245 games in the Orange and Black, part of 325 total games in the NHL.
Being an original member is like laying the first bricks of a house. Everyone who moves in later is living on top of your work.
So what kind of player was he?
The Flyers described him as a naturally gifted offensive player and playmaker.
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André Lacroix dies: Flyers announce heartbreaking loss of original star
According to the club, he quickly established himself as one of the franchise's early standouts.
He led the Flyers in scoring in both 1968-69 and 1969-70.
Those were only the club's second and third seasons. Leading a team that new in scoring twice is no small thing.
His impact went well beyond the ice. The Flyers called him a beloved teammate with a special ability to bring people together.
The club also pointed to an infectious personality and an ability to light up any room he entered.
That made him an invaluable presence in the locker room and in the community, according to the statement.
That's the part that tends to get lost when a career gets boiled down to a stat line. It shouldn't be.
Original Flyers like Lacroix laid the groundwork every Philadelphia team since has built on, and that deserves more than a passing mention.
The news came on a night the current Flyers hosted Columbus.
Rick Tocchet's group is 3-7-3 and heads to Washington on Wednesday to finish a back-to-back.
The statement didn't say whether the club plans to honor him at an upcoming home game.
If it does, that night will belong to the people who remember those first teams, and to everyone still learning who built the place.
Should the Flyers hold a tribute night for André Lacroix this season?
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