- Legion of Doom (ice hockey)
The Legion of Doom was a forward line for the
Philadelphia Flyers who played together between 1995 and 1997 comprising of centerEric Lindros , left wingerJohn LeClair and right wingerMikael Renberg . They were given this name not only for their offensive play, but also their ability to dominate games physically. The name was coined by journeyman center Jim Montgomery and popularized by Flyers announcerGene Hart . [Bill Meltzer, [http://www.insidehockey.com/columns/194 Legion of the Doomed] ]The line was formed in the lockout shortened 1994–95 season when John LeClair was traded to Philadelphia from the
Montreal Canadiens , along with Eric Desjardins andGilbert Dionne , in exchange forMark Recchi . The line registered its first point on Saturday, February 11, 1995, in a game against theNew Jersey Devils at theMeadowlands . The line made an immediate impact, as it helped the Flyers defeat the Devils 3–1. Before the formation of the line, the Flyers had struggled out of the gate, going only 3–7–1 through their first 11 games while being outscored 34–22. However, in their final 37 games (including the one on February 11 against the Devils), the Flyers went 25–9–3 and outscored their opponents 128–98.The Legion went on to score 80 goals and collect 96 assists that season for Philadelphia. Eric Lindros, with a total of 70 points, tied Jaromir Jagr for the scoring lead that season, but the
Art Ross Memorial Trophy was given to Jagr as he had more goals. Lindros did, however, win theHart Memorial Trophy , as well as theLester B. Pearson Award .The line stayed together for the 1995–96 season, which would turn out to be their most productive, as they scored 121 goals and picked up 134 assists.
Their last season together was 1996–97. In it they scored 104 goals and collected 131 assists. They also lead the Philadelphia Flyers to the
1997 Stanley Cup Finals , collecting 26 goals and 32 assists in their play-off run. They eventually lost to theDetroit Red Wings , who swept them 4 games to none.The line would be broken up in the 1997 off-season, as Philadelphia dealt Renberg in exchange for
Chris Gratton . Later Mikael Renberg would return to Philadelphia for the exact same trade which would send Chris Gratton back to Tampa Bay. Although Renberg returned, Legion of Doom did not, for Renberg could never make it past the third forward line.References
External links
* Meltzer, Bill [http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=351592&page=NewsPage&service=page Great Moments: The Legion of Doom Wreaks Havoc on NHL] , at Philadelphiaflyers.com.
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