André Lacroix, an original member of the Philadelphia Flyers and the leading scorer in the history of the World Hockey Association, has died at the age of 81. The Flyers announced his death on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
“Lacroix’s impact extended well beyond the ice,” the club said. “He was a beloved teammate who had a special ability to bring people together.” Steven Blaney, mayor of his hometown of Lévis, called him “a great Lévisien who left a deep mark on our sporting history”.
Early Flyers star
Lacroix was born on June 5, 1945, in Lauzon, Quebec, now part of Lévis. He scored 120 points in 48 games for the Peterborough Petes in 1965-66 and starred for the Quebec Aces in the American Hockey League before the expansion Flyers called him up during their first season, 1967-68.
The 5-foot-8 centre led Philadelphia in points in each of the next two seasons, with 56 in 1968-69 and 58 in 1969-70, and scored at least 20 goals in three straight years. He played 245 games for the Flyers before a trade to the Chicago Black Hawks in 1971.
King of the WHA
When the World Hockey Association launched in 1972, Lacroix signed with the Philadelphia Blazers and led the league with 50 goals and 124 points. As franchises moved and folded he played for the New York Golden Blades and Jersey Knights, the San Diego Mariners, the Houston Aeros and the New England Whalers. He had six 100-point seasons, more than any other WHA player, including 147 points for San Diego in 1974-75, and won the league scoring title twice.
When the WHA closed in 1979 he held its records for games played (551), assists (547) and points (798). He also played for Canada in the 1974 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, scoring the winning goal in Canada’s only victory, a 4-1 win in Game 2 in Toronto.
Lacroix followed the Whalers into the NHL for a final season in 1979-80, playing alongside Gordie Howe, before retiring. He finished with 198 points in 325 NHL games. He later called Whalers games on radio and stayed involved in youth hockey. The arena in Lévis bearing his name reopened after renovations in September.