Simon Gagne Returns Home to Philadelphia: October 14, 2010

Thursday, October 14, 2010, the Flyers play the Tampa Bay Lightning in a historic game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Although it is not Game 7 of a playoff series, the crowd will be emotionally charged as it welcomes back franchise hero Simon Gagne for the first time.

Gagne was moved for cap reasons this past offseason for a bag of pucks. As Kurt Vonnegut used to say, “So it goes.”

Simon Gagne was drafted 22nd overall in 1998 by Philadelphia. Since then, Gagne has been the staple of what it means to play for the Orange and Black. Most recently, he fought back from injury to score two big-time game-winners in the second round, inspiring a comeback against the Boston Bruins.

When he potted each of those goals, it did not surprise me. That is what he has done for this franchise for 11 unforgettable years. Gagne was good for a point every other game over his playoff career. When it really mattered, you knew you could count on him.

The Flyers are planning a video tribute to their ex-winger during the first period. I’m sure Gagne will not be the only one moved by it; I’m sure there will be moist eyes all over the rink and at homes dotting the United States map. Today, many players do not stick with a organization like Gagne stuck with the Flyers. It’s a sad part of the cap era.

With as long a tenure as Philly icons Allen Iverson and Donovan McNabb, Gagne was the living representation of most young Flyers’ fans growing up playing hockey.  No player influenced my love of the sport, both as a player and a fan, as much as Gagne (How does the jury feel about Eric Lindros?).

It was not just his goals or assists on the ice; it was also about his production off the ice. Gagne loved the city, and the city loved him. He would regularly be the most visited booth at the Flyers’ Wives Fight for Lives Carnival (a carnival put on by the players’ wives to raise money for cancer, including carnival games and autograph stations).

I have personally been touched by his kindness. Two years ago, I went down to the carnival with family friends. The whole ride down the son of the family friends, Jake, a 16-year-old boy with autism, would not stop talking about how excited he was to get his hockey stick signed by Gagne. Gagne was his favorite player in any sport; he idolized him. He would yell and cheer while dancing around the room any time Gagne scored or even had a close-up on TV.

However, what we did not know is that separate tickets needed to be purchased ahead of time to get to Gagne’s autograph station.  Jake’s heart was broken. I have never seen a kid more crushed.  We decided to stake out his autograph station and catch him on the concourse. We were going to give it a try; what did we have to lose?

After an hour, we saw him walk down the concourse. He was sandwiched between two carnival workers, wearing jeans and a T-shirt with his slicked back hair. Jake’s mom started screaming, “Simon! Simon! Please sign this stick for my son!” As he got within arm’s reach, he looked around at the decently sized crowd (most likely following the screams) and then at his “entourage”, as if asking for permission.

The entourage told him he was already running late and had no time; Gagne told us he had time for a few autographs and grabbed the stick and signed it. After a few quick scribbles and a “thanks for the support, everyone,” he was back in his booth signing more autographs.

This might just be a situation that was big to only us, and mostly to Jake—he was aglow the rest of the day—but it speaks volumes about his character and, truly, is just a microcosm of the man and player he was here and still is.

The NHL is filled with talent, but not so much with the leadership on and off the ice that Gagne brought to the Philadelphia Flyers and their fans. He is a class act, and just seeing him in the other locker room, in another jersey will most likely wrench my poor stomach.

This will be a game to remember for all the Flyers fans, but not because of the goals or hits. It will be memorable because for one time, we get to show Simon how much he meant to all those little kids in the rinks around Philly taping their stick like him, all those adults who he made share the optimism and blind faith of those little kids, and all those hockey fans that he gave something to cheer about.

Simon, you are a lifetime Flyer in my book. See you Thursday.