May 11, 2016
Some sad news to pass along on the Flyers front. According to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rick MacLeish, the franchise's first 50-goal scorer, has spent the past six weeks in the hospital while battling multiple unspecified medical issues.
Here's more from Carchidi, who spoke with MacLeish's daughter, Brianna.
"We deeply appreciate all the support that's been given to our dad," said Brianna MacLeish, one of Rick's two daughters. "At this time, we want to spend time with our dad, and the family asks for our privacy."
Brianna MacLeish said she did not want to specify her father's medical problems. [philly.com]
MacLeish, 66, played 12 seasons in the Orange and Black, racking up 697 points in the process, good for fourth in franchise history behind only Bobby Clarke (1,210), Bill Barber (883) and Brian Propp (869). MacLeish's 369 assists and 328 goals rank fifth and sixth in team history, respectively. He's also one of just five players to ever post a 100-point season for the Flyers.
MacLeish is pretty much in the top 10 in franchise history in every offensive category, including game-winning goals.
His 51 game-winners may rank fourth all-time among Flyers players, but it can be argued that one of those was much more valuable than any other ... maybe ever.
That came in Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final at the Spectrum. MacLeish's first-period goal, which came on a deflection of Andre Dupont's shot, was the lone goal of the game, and cliched the first Cup in team history -- and the first of two straight.
According to Carchidi, get well wishes can be sent to MacLeish via the Flyers Alumni Association. They can be reached here: Flyers Alumni Association, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
