John LeClair (Sort of...)

John LeClair is a legend in the NHL. He spent the better part of 16 seasons playing for the Canadiens, Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. After being drafted by the Canadiens in the 1987 Entry Draft, LeClair went on to finish his college career by going back to the University of Vermont. It wasn't until the 1990-91 season that he made his NHL debut. 

But perhaps LeClair is best known for his time as a Flyers, and cog in the Legion of Doom line along with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. They had huge scoring prowess but were lauded for their physicality on the ice as well, hence the nickname. He is the first American-born NHL player to score three consecutive 50-goal seasons, followed by two more 40-goal seasons, making him one of the greatest Flyers of all time. He's also considered one of the most dominant power forwards of the 1990s. He's a five time NHL First Team All Star, a two time Second Team All Star, has 967 games, over 400 goals and over 800 points, but despite all that, he's not in the Hall of Fame and may never be.

So how does an all-time great Flyer become a Penguin? Well, after the CBA created the salary cap, the Flyers were forced to buyout LeClair's contract. A 36 year old eating up both roster space and salary was not what the Flyers were looking for in the new look, speedier NHL. However, in August 2005, it was exactly the addition a retooling/rebuilding Penguins team was looking to make. Although he clearly lost a step or two from his peak playing days, he went on to put up his ninth 50+ point season and finished 4th in team scoring. But the following season would be what I remember him for. In the first preseason game, playing on the line with Evgeni Malkin, he took a pass, attempted to score and crashed into the boards behind the net. This effectively took out Malkin in the process (accidentally). Malkin was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated but that essentially derailed Geno's debut in black and gold (he had finally defected from Russia after being drafted before the lockout). LeClair was eventually put on waivers and then cut.

The title of this post alludes to the phrase "Sort of..." That's because this isn't technically a real autograph. This is a 2005-06 Parkhurst Facsimile autograph. These were a parallel of the base set and were included as short printed inserts randomly in packs. They are serial numbered #/100. I do have another LeClair auto but this is the only one I have featuring him as a Penguin.