Eric Lindros will not be part of a special ceremony the Philadelphia Flyers have planned next month at the infamous Spectrum arena.
As part of their September 27th preseason game against Carolina at their former home, the Flyers have invited all 15 captains back to take part in commemorative ceremonies, including Lindros who was named captain at the age of 21 in 1994. However, his tenure with the team ended in a bitter dispute with management, which included then general manager Bob Clarke.
While Clarke, Lou Angotti, Mel Bridgman, Dave Poulin, Ed Van Impe, Bill Barber, Ron Sutter and Kevin Primeau have confirmed their attendance, Lindros has declined because of a previous commitment according to senior vice president of business operations Shawn Tilger. Lindros will be attending a memorial service that day for a friend's mother.
"We're going to put seasonticketholders back in their original seats," Tilger said of the celebration which will include a postgame skate with fans. Team executives and coaches will also wear the familiar orange blazers of the era.
The Flyers also plan on bringing back players from their 1973-74 and 1974-75 championship teams back for another ceremony on October 7.
The Spectrum, which saw the Flyers win two Stanley Cup titles, is scheduled to close and be demolished at the end of the 200809 season.
