Flyers’ ‘Orange & Black’ alumni game will feature players from six decades, including 78-year-old Joe Watson
Eric Lindros, Mark Howe, John LeClair and Reggie Leach will also play in the benefit game Monday at the Wells Fargo Center. Lower-level tickets start at $35.
The Flyers will hold an “Orange and Black” alumni game at 7 p.m. Monday at the Wells Fargo Center, and the list of participants includes marquee names like Eric Lindros, Mark Howe, Reggie Leach, John LeClair, Rick Tocchet, and Simon Gagné.
The game raises money for the Flyers’ alumni charity programs and Flyers Charities, and will feature players from six decades in the franchise’s history.
At 78, Joe Watson will be the oldest player.
“I’m the oldest and the slowest, too,” cracked Watson, a defenseman on the Flyers’ Stanley Cup teams in 1974 and 1975.
Watson, who played in a June 26 alumni game in Aston, said he skates occasionally with his grandson. He is among 31 players on the rosters.
“A lot of big names are playing. I’ve never had the pleasure to play with them or against them, so it’ll be fun, especially the camaraderie,” Watson said. “We’ll get to know each other a little better. I think the main thing is to have a good time and put on a good show for the people who are coming to watch.”
Watson’s brother, Jimmy, won’t be playing because of back issues, but he will be there as an off-ice participant.
The alumni game is part of the Flyers’ Hall of Fame celebration. One night later, Tocchet and Paul Holmgren will go into the franchise’s Hall of Fame before the Flyers’ home game on Tuesday against South Jersey’s Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames.
In the alumni game, Holmgren, Orest Kindrachuk, Bob Kelly, Dave Schultz, Jim Watson, Rich Sutter and Bill Clement will coach Team Holmgren. Tocchet, Murray Craven, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Gary Dornhoefer, Steve Coates, and Mike Keenan, who coached the Flyers 1984-85 to 1987-88, will direct Team Tocchet. Many of Keenan’s former players will be participating.
Lower-level tickets are available at $35 to $45. VIP tickets are priced at $355 and includes a seat on the lower level, access to a private pregame happy hour with all the participating alumni, food and beverages (including beer and wine), and a pregame event emceed by Clement to honor Holmgren and Tocchet. It also includes a Hall of Fame game puck signed by Holmgren and Tocchet.
To purchase tickets, go to WellsFargoCenterPhilly.com.
Participants range from players who played for the Flyers from their first season (Joe Watson in 1967-68) to goalie Mike McKenna, who was with the team in 2018-19. Watson and Leach are the only players who won a Cup with the Flyers who will be on the ice, and Hockey Hall of Famers Lindros and Howe are among the participants.
The lines and pairings:
TEAM HOLMGREN (black uniforms)
Coaches
Paul Holmgren, Orest Kindrachuk, Bob Kelly, Dave Schultz, Jim Watson, Rich Sutter, Bill Clement
Lines
10 John LeClair - 88 Eric Lindros - 19 Scott Mellanby
19 Scott Hartnell - 18 Adam Hall - 15 Joffrey Lupul
9 Scottie Upshall - 14 Ron Sutter - 21 Dave Brown
29 Todd Fedoruk
Defense
2 Mark Howe - 3 Dan McGillis
14 Joe Watson - 2 Derian Hatcher
Goalies
42 Robert Esche, 35 Neil Little
TEAM TOCCHET (orange uniforms)
Coaches
Rick Tocchet, Mike Keenan, Murray Craven, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Gary Dornhoefer, Steve Coates
Lines
12 Simon Gagné - 48 Danny Brière - 22 Mike Knuble
26 Brian Propp - 9 Pelle Eklund - 18 Lindsay Carson
87 Donald Brashear - 37 Mitch Lamoureux - 27 Reggie Leach
32 Riley Cote
Defense
6 Chris Therien - 28 Kjell Samuelsson
8 Brad Marsh - 55 Nick Schultz
Goalie
56 Mike McKenna
Off-ice participants: Ian Laperrière, Jason Smith