The Flyers family and the hockey world are in mourning this week after the passing of Andre Lacroix on October 27, 2026. He was 81.
On the ice, Lacroix epitomized how a player can overcome physical limitations to have a highly successful career. Off the ice, Lacroix was beloved by fans, teammates and even team rivals. A gregarious man with a zest for life, an undying passion for the game, and an ever-present smile, Lacroix was one of the sport’s most compelling figures for six decades.
The Flyers’ best offensive player of the pre-Bobby Clarke era, skilled center Andre Lacroix was born in Lauzon, Quebec, on June 5, 1945.
Lacroix had two strikes against him as a player. Standing just 5’8’’ tall and playing between 170 and 175 pounds, he also lacked blazing speed. Lacroix had to rely on his creativity and soft hands to overcome his physical limitations. His top-notch playmaking skills on the ice earned him the nickname “The Magician.”
Lacroix made the most of his chance to play in the NHL and became the Flyers’ most dangerous offensive player during the team’s first four years of existence. After moving from the NHL to the fledgling World Hockey Association, he went on to become the WHA’s all-time leading scorer.
“Andy had a lot of finesse on the ice. He was a little guy, but he was a great passer and stickhandler,” said Flyers Hall of Fame defenseman Joe Watson.
“He was also a great guy off the ice. Everyone liked him. Him and Bernie [Parent] were like two peas in a pod. But everyone in the room was his friend.”
Post-Playing Days
After his retirement in 1980, Lacroix launched a career as an entrepreneur, most notably as an investor and consultant on a host of rink-building and hockey league development projects in non-traditional hockey markets in the USA.
The 14-year hockey pro also coached in several in-house hockey leagues and conducted beginner hockey classes for both adults and kids. In 1993, Lacroix brought his hockey-building knowledge to Oakland, CA, where he worked for 11 years as a consultant and the director of hockey programs for the Oakland Ice Center (OIC).
As a representative for the OIC, Lacroix successfully lobbied the city government to support the development of hockey programs in the area. He also secured private funding to help build adult and youth hockey programs that are now thriving. Most notably, he grew the Oakland county youth program to over 200 players and grew the adult league from 12 teams to 62 teams with over 900 players.
Later, Lacroix began serving as the general manager and director of hockey programs for The Pond Ice Rink in Auburn Township, Ohio. He made Ohio his permanent home base.
During his active career, Lacroix was a tireless participant in team charity drives. That community involvement continued in retirement. Lacroix founded the Andre Lacroix Foundation for Giving, which helped raise money for children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
At various times, Andre served on local boards and as chairman for a host of charitable organizations in California and Ohio, including Easter Seals, the Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Sports, the Skate-a-Thon for American Diabetes and A Better Way, Inc., an organization that provided education and positive recreational outlets for teens at risk for street gang involvement.
In retirement, Lacroix made his primary residence in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. In his spare time, he most enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his two grandchildren.
He also stayed close with the Flyers Alumni Association. He attended the first-ever Alumni reunion in 1984. He attended his final Alumni events at the 2025 Charity Classic Weekend.
Andre Lacroix had a blast seeing old friends and making new ones. His greatest joy from that weekend: he spent time with his old friend Bernie Parent. The Hall of Fame netminder passed three months later.
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