Ex-Flyer Recchi rewarded with Hall of Fame nod
If Mark Recchi had to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame wearing team colors, he’d have to make a tough dressing decision. The Flyers were treating Recchi’s induction announcement Monday as if one of their own had been selected.
Recchi was, after all, a twicetenured Flyer who played all or parts of 10 seasons with the club. In 602 games with the Flyers he’d score 232 goals and 627 points. He ranks eighth all-time on the franchise scoring list and holds the single-season team record for most points, 123 in 199293.
“I am very pleased to hear the news that Mark Recchi will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Flyers president Paul Holmgren said in a statement. “Mark was an important member of the Flyers organization and contributed to much of our success during both his tenures with the club, which included two trips to the conference finals. He continues to hold the club’s record for most points in a single season and was a very dedicated member of our team. He was an outstanding player and this honor is well deserved.”
Recchi was selected with four others in the players category who will be enshrined in HHOF ceremonies in Toronto Nov. 13. Joining him will be Dave Andreychuk, Danielle Goyette and former Anaheim teammates Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne.
Clare Drake and longtime Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs will go in via the builders category.
Recchi also ranks fifth in points-per-game and fourth in assists (tied with Claude Giroux at 395) in Flyers history. But he won his three Stanley Cup championship rings elsewhere, with the Penguins in 1991, with Carolina in 2006 and with Boston in 2011. In 1,662 career NHL games for seven different teams, Recchi scored 577 goals and amassed 1,533 points.
In the offseason, however, he’d always go back to Pittsburgh. Fittingly, Recchi is now the Penguins’ director of player development.
According to a story on the Peguins’ website by team writer Michelle Crechiolo, Recchi was in a meeting at the team’s offices when he got the call from Hockey Hall of Fame board chair Lanny McDonald informing him of his selection. Recchi said it was “absolutely incredible and humbling.” This from a guy who was a diminutive player but whose work ethic showed in his durability.
Recchi would play teams over 22 years.
“It was just an honor to play 22 years and obviously, to stay healthy through that, it was never easy,” Recchi told Crechiolo. “But taking care of myself on and off the ice was a huge part of it. Being prepared to play every day and being mentally prepared obviously helped me. I just love playing the game and I love getting out there, so whatever I could do to play, I did.”
As for the selection, he added, “It’s something where it had to play out its course and if I got in, wonderful. I did what I could on the ice and if it was good enough, it was good enough. I had a wonderful career, I had wonderful teammates, I was fortunate to for seven win and this finish it off.
“To get in is just something that’s the ultimate prize and an amazing feeling.”
*** NOTES » Flyers general manager Ron Hextall had no surprises Monday, issuing qualifying offers to all of his restricted free agent players by the deadline, in order to retain their rights. They included forwards Roman Lyubimov, Scott Laughton and Mike Vecchione, and goalie Anthony Stolarz, all of whom have decent shots at playing with the big club this year. Minor leaguers Cole Bardreau, Taylor Leier and goalie Alex Lyon also were given QOs . ... Phantoms defenseman Mark Alt signed a one-year, two-way contract extension Monday, worth a reported $650,000 with the Flyers, or $125,000 with the Phantoms. is the ultimate to