A Look Back at the Career of the Captain: Claude Giroux’s 9 Best Moments as a Flyer
Let’s take some time to appreciate the Captain.
After seeing my friend and fellow PHLSportsNation writer, Andrew Robinson’s ode to Phillies’ pitcher Roy Halladay, I was inspired to write something dedicated to my favorite player, Claude Giroux.
It’s been just over 12 years since a baby-faced, 20-year old Claude Giroux took the ice for the first time in a Flyers jersey and sporting the number 56 which looks… very wrong to say the least.
Photo: —
The 22nd pick of the 2006 NHL Draft, Giroux has definitely beaten the odds on his way to a successful NHL career and a great chance his number 28 will one day be in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center.
While the one moment that will always be remembered is former GM Bobby Clarke forgetting his name during the draft, there’s much more to Giroux’s story.
What some may not know is that the Hearst native was also passed on in the 2004 OHL Draft as a 16-year old and then again in 2005. Facing an uncertain future in hockey, Giroux’s only chance to play high-end junior hockey would be as a walk-on which he did with the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
I’d say that worked out fairly well.
After making the team as a walk-on, Giroux scored 39 goals and totaled 103 points on his way to winning QMJHL Rookie of the Year. He followed that up with 112 points in 2006-07. 12 years later, Giroux had his number 28 jersey retired by the Olympiques in 2019.
After lighting up the QMJHL for two seasons, Giroux made the jump to the pros and the rest is history. Now in his 13th season with the Flyers and his eighth as the captain, the once-overlooked prospect is third in total games played (889) and fourth in points (815) with the great chance to finish even higher by the time it’s all said and done.
Let’s take a look back at some of his best moments.
1) First Career NHL Goal
It all starts with one.
2) Putting the Entire Thrashers in a Blender
In his first full season as a Flyer, Giroux makes a mockery of the entire Thrashers team. They later cited this as one of the reasons they moved to Winnipeg.
3) 2010 Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 OT-Winner
Possibly the loudest, we’ve ever seen the Wells Fargo Center (then the Wachovia Center), Giroux scores the biggest goal of his life and his first in the Stanley Cup Finals.
4) Shootout Goal in Toronto
5) “The Shift” against Pittsburgh in the 2012 Playoffs
When we think of iconic Giroux moments, this is usually the first one to come to mind. I could watch this series on replay forever.
6) Falling-Forward Goal Against the Blue Jackets in 2013
One of the most miraculous goals you’ll ever see. Even Jim Jackson couldn’t believe this one.
7) Goal of the Year Candidate against Tampa Bay
One of his many great moments from the 2017-18 campaign where he probably should have been the MVP. But, we’ll save that argument for another day.
8) Hat Trick to Seal Playoff Berth Against the Rangers
Was there a better way to cap off his first 100-point season than with a hat trick to clinch a playoff spot in a shutout over the Rangers?
9) Stadium Series OT-Winner
As someone who was in the crowd during this game, you would have thought the Flyers won the Stanley Cup this night.
Say what you will about Giroux. No, he hasn’t won a Stanley Cup. His point production dropped off for a few seasons in the past. But for a guy whose hockey career was in jeopardy when he was passed over by the OHL twice? He’s put together a hell of a career and he’s not done yet.
Before his time in the orange and black is up, Giroux will at least be second in games played as he trails Bill Barber by just 14 games and could pass Bobby Clarke’s franchise-leading 1,114 games.
Giroux will also, in all likelihood, move to second in all-time points by a Flyer, again behind Bobby Clarke and his 1210 career points. As it stands, Giroux (815 points) is 395 away from Clarke but should be able to catch Brian Propp (849) and Bill Barber (883) by next season.
Even if he never played another game, Giroux is already an all-time Flyer and will, one day, see his #28 in the rafters.
Featured Image: Eric Hartline/USATSI
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