Bob Kelly and Simon Gagne each spent at least a decade in Flyers uniforms but their best contributions took only a heartbeat.
Kelly, known as “The Hound” for his cantankerous play all over the ice, broke a bit from character when he scored the game-winning and series-clinching goal in Game 6 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals against Buffalo.
Gagne was a speedy/crafty left wing who achieved 40-goal seasons on a pair of occasions. He will be remembered for those but the memory that will always stand out happened on May 14, 2010 when he scored the winning goal in Game 7 vs. Boston to complete the Flyers’ comeback from an 0-3 deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
On Wednesday it was announced the two men will become the 29th and 30th members of the Flyers Hall of Fame. The official induction ceremonies will take place on Feb. 27, 2027.
In a media Zoom call on Thursday, Gagne said the decisive goal back in 2010 was indeed a career highlight.
“It was probably special because we know what happened, we were down in that series 0-3,” Gagne said. “In this game we were down 3-nothing after 10 minutes in that first period.
It was memorable “to come back and be able to score that game-winning goal on the power play and I remember seeing the crowd in Philly watching the game.”
Gagne said he also has fond memories of a goal he scored against Tampa Bay in the 2004 Eastern Conference finals, which forced Game 7.
“That was a special one also because it was at home,” he said.
The news of the induction caught Kelly a bit off guard.
“I was very surprised,” said Kelly. “I’ve been retired six, eight months. It’s a whole different feeling. You’re still around great people. It’s all good but we have to move on.”
Gagne sounded like he wasn’t expecting this honor either.
“I was surprised also,” he said. “But it’s an honor to be joining this group of people that left their mark with the Flyers for many years.
“To find out I’m going to be inducted with Bob also; we’ve had a good relationship since my first day with the Flyers.”
Kelly worked as a goodwill ambassador with the Flyers for decades before his recent retirement. He said this honor is sort of icing on the cake to his career.
“I’ve had an absolute great time with great people,” he said. “The Flyers are never disappointed when they go out and recruit people. I think the commitment to the team is huge. You just have to keep working at things.”
Gagne was still a teenager when he joined the Flyers in 1999. He said if not for the help of some veteran players he would have been lost.
He was staying at the Hampton Inn in Voorhees, N.J. near the practice rink and it wasn’t easy for someone who could barely speak English.
“At that time there weren’t any cellphones,” Gagne said. “I remember a couple times some of the older guys, like Dan McGillis gave me a call, he was speaking a little French. My English was not that good. Dan picked me up, brought me to the practice rink the first day.
“I felt welcome right from day one. Mark Recchi, John LeClair – we had a great group of veterans my first year. They showed me the right way on and off the ice. I’m really thankful for that. That first year is always going to be real special in my mind. For the 12 years (with the Flyers), that first year is always going to be special.”
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