Legion of Doom (ice hockey)

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The Legion of Doom was a forward line for the Philadelphia Flyers who played together between 1995 and 1997 comprising of center Eric Lindros, left winger John LeClair and right winger Mikael Renberg. They were given this name not only for their offensive play, but also their ability to dominate games physically. The name was coined by journeyman center Jim Montgomery and popularized by Flyers announcer Gene Hart.^[1]

The line was formed in the lockout shortened 1994–95 season when John LeClair was traded to Philadelphia from the Montreal Canadiens, along with Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne, in exchange for Mark Recchi. The line registered its first point on Saturday, February 11, 1995, in a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Meadowlands. The line made an immediate impact, as it helped the Flyers defeat the Devils 3–1. Before the formation of the line, the Flyers had struggled out of the gate, going only 3–7–1 through their first 11 games while being outscored 34–22. However, in their final 37 games (including the one on February 11 against the Devils), the Flyers went 25–9–3 and outscored their opponents 128–98.

The Legion went on to score 80 goals and collect 96 assists that season for Philadelphia. Eric Lindros, with a total of 70 points, tied Jaromir Jagr for the scoring lead that season, but the Art Ross Memorial Trophy was given to Jagr as he had more goals. Lindros did, however, win the Hart Memorial Trophy, as well as the Lester B. Pearson Award.

The line stayed together for the 1995–96 season, which would turn out to be their most productive, as they scored 121 goals and picked up 134 assists.

Their last season together was 1996–97. In it they scored 104 goals and collected 131 assists. They also lead the Philadelphia Flyers to the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals, collecting 26 goals and 32 assists in their play-off run. They eventually lost to the Detroit Red Wings, who swept them 4 games to none.

The line would be broken up in the 1997 off-season, as Philadelphia dealt Renberg in exchange for Chris Gratton. Later Mikael Renberg would return to Philadelphia for the exact same trade which would send Chris Gratton back to Tampa Bay. Although Renberg returned, Legion of Doom did not, for Renberg could never make it past the third forward line.