Simon Gagne

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gagné's legacy with the Flyers is defined by his clutch scoring and resilience. In the 2009–10 season, after missing 24 games due to double hernia surgery, he returned to score his third career hat trick and first natural hat-trick against the New York Rangers on December 30, 2009. During the 2010 playoffs, after the Flyers fell behind three games to none against the Boston Bruins in the second round, Gagné returned from injury for game four and scored the game-winning goal in overtime. He then scored two goals in game five, and in game seven, he scored the series-winning goal in the third period, making the Flyers the third team in NHL history to come back from a three games to none deficit and win a series. Gagné also scored an important overtime goal in game six of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as Flyers team MVP in back-to-back seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07).

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with tension as the clock ticked down in the third period of Game 7 against the Boston Bruins in the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Flyers had clawed back from a three-games-to-none deficit, and Gagné, returning from injury in Game 4, had already scored the overtime winner in that game and two goals in Game 5. Now, with the series on the line, Gagné took a pass and fired a shot past the Bruins goaltender, scoring the series-winning goal. The goal sent the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals and cemented Gagné's reputation as a player who delivered when the stakes were highest.

Reader's Guide

Simon Gagné played left wing for the Philadelphia Flyers from 1999 to 2010, wearing jersey number 12. He was drafted 22nd overall in the 1998 NHL entry draft and made the Flyers out of training camp for the 1999–2000 season. As a rookie, he scored 20 goals and 28 assists in 80 games and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Converted from centre to wing in his second season, he played on a line with Mark Recchi and Keith Primeau in 2000–01, scoring 27 goals and 32 assists in 69 games and appearing in his first NHL All-Star Game. His best season came in 2005–06, when he scored 47 goals and 79 points in 72 games, winning his first Bobby Clarke Trophy. He won his second consecutive Bobby Clarke Trophy in 2006–07 after scoring 41 goals and 27 assists in 76 games. Gagné's career with the Flyers was interrupted by injuries, including concussions in 2007–08 and a double hernia in 2009–10, but he returned each time to contribute. He finished his Flyers tenure with 40 points in 58 games in 2009–10 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 19, 2010.

Did You Know?

• Simon Gagné was born on February 29, 1980, making his birthday a leap day.
• He won the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012.
• Gagné scored a natural hat trick against the New York Rangers on December 30, 2009, just 11 days after returning from double hernia surgery.
• He scored the series-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins, completing the Flyers' comeback from a 3-0 series deficit.
• Gagné's jersey number 12 was retired by the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL during the 2001–02 season.