Flyers Will Induct Jimmy Watson And Rod Brind'Amour Into Hall Of Fame
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that Jimmy Watson and Rod Brind'Amour have been selected for induction into the Flyers Hall of Fame. The two will be officially enshrined in pregame ceremonies ahead of two separate games during the 2015-16 season.
"Jimmy Watson and Rod Brind'Amour are two players who played the game in a way that truly epitomized Philadelphia Flyers hockey," said Flyers Chairman Ed Snider. "They were hard-working, team leaders both on and off the ice who played with a lot of intelligence, grit, and determination. This is a very deserving honor for both of them, and I couldn't be happier to welcome these outstanding men into the Flyers Hall of Fame."
"Jimmy was a great defenseman and teammate, not to mention a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a five-time All-Star," said Flyers president Paul Holmgren. "He was an extremely competitive player who could always anticipate the action. We're very pleased that he gets to join his brother Joe in the Flyers Hall of Fame.
"Rod's work ethic was unparalleled as a player. He was always the first one on the ice and in the gym and always the last to leave. He played the game with passion and he is most deserving of this latest honor. Rod personified Flyers hockey."
Watson played his entire NHL career for the Flyers, which spanned 613 games over 10 seasons from 1973 until 1982. He was drafted by the Flyers in the third round (39th overall) of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft, joining his brother Joe, an original Flyer. Watson appeared in four games that season while spending the rest of his time with the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate in Richmond, Virginia, and made the NHL roster for good the following season.
Watson went on to play on both Flyers championship teams in 1974 and 1975, and became a five-time NHL All-Star. Watson finished his career with 38 goals and 148 assists for 186 career points and a plus-295 rating, including a plus-65 season in 1975-76 and a plus-53 season in 1979-80. The career plus-minus total is the fifth-best in Flyers history. The 186 points currently rank 10th among defensemen in Flyers history, while the 613 games played currently rank him 15th overall in team history and fifth among defensemen.
"I am absolutely thrilled and humbled by the whole thing," Watson said. "This is a tremendous honor and I am very excited to be a part of the Flyers Hall of Fame. Gosh, it is amazing how it all evolved but here we are and I am extremely proud to be getting inducted. What a wonderful honor."
Brind'Amour was acquired from the St. Louis Blues along with Dan Quinn in exchange for Ron Sutter and Murray Baron on September 22, 1991. He spent parts of nine seasons with the Flyers from 1991-2000, which included a career-high 97-point season in 1993-94 (35G, 62A) and seasons of 87 points (26G, 61) in 1995-96 and 86 points (37G, 49A) in 1992-93.
In 633 career games with the Flyers, Brind'Amour recorded 235 goals and 366 assists for 601 points. He ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in several categories, including: ninth overall and fourth among centers in points; 10th overall and fourth among centers in goals; seventh overall and fourth among centers in assists; 12th overall and third among centers in games played; eighth overall in shorthanded goals (18); and ninth overall in power play goals (75).
"It was a tremendous honor and privilege to play as long as I did for one of the best franchises in all of sports," Brind'Amour said. "To be recognized in this way is hard to put into words but something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I thank the Flyers organization for this tremendous honor."
The dates of the ceremonies for Watson and Brind'Amour will be announced with the Flyers' 2015-16 promotional schedule later today.
Fans can get a jump on reserving tickets ahead of the public single-game on sale in September by purchasing an 11-game membership now. Call 215-218-PUCK or visit PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
