Last year, when Eric Lindros was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, we wrote this:
The only remaining question regarding Lindros’ greatness? Whether or not the Flyers will retire his No. 88. Aside from Barry Ashbee’s No. 4, the Flyers have reserved the honor of number retirement only to players who have been inducted in the Hall, with Mark Howe’s No. 2 being retired shortly after he was inducted to the Hall in 2012.
Now that Lindros is a Hall of Famer as well, we expect 88 to hang from the rafters forever.
It’ll happen this coming season, the Flyers announced on Monday morning. Eric Lindros’ number 88 will be raised to the Wells Fargo Center rafters on January 18 before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Eric has made an incredible and lasting impact on the Flyers organization, our fans, and the game of hockey as a whole,” said Flyers President Paul Holmgren in a press release. “We could not be more proud to raise his number 88 to the rafters. We look forward to what is anticipated to be a historic night for the Flyers.”
We’re sending #88 to the rafters.
The #Flyers will retire #88 jersey of Eric Lindros on Jan. 18: https://t.co/Prayc9rb7D pic.twitter.com/7XVxe2boTp
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 28, 2017
“I am deeply humbled and honored that the Flyers are going to retire my jersey,” said Lindros. “I am so thankful to the entire organization for this incredible recognition. I look forward to sharing this moment with my family, friends, teammates, and of course Flyers fans, who mean so much to me.”
Lindros’ No. 88 will be the sixth number retired by the Flyers, joining Bobby Clarke’s No. 16, Bill Barber’s No. 7, Barry Ashbee’s No. 4, Mark Howe’s No. 2 and Bernie Parent’s No. 1.
