Full transcript: Eric Lindros, John LeClair Hall of Fame speeches

Below is a transcript of the Flyers' Hall of Fame induction speeches by Eric Lindros and John LeClair on Thursday night:

LINDROS: What a thrill to be back. Good evening. It's nice to be back in the rink that we had such a good time playing in, and playing for you.  Before we get started tonight, just a quick shout-out to Gordie Howe and wishing him a speedy recovery.  Mark's dad is in a real battle, and I think everyone can join in wishing the best.  We received word in September from Paul Holmgren about this evening, and we couldn't be more honored and grateful to be part of the tradition of the Flyers Hall of Fame. 

LECLAIR: We'd like to start off by thanking the Flyers organization, especially Mr. Snider, Bob Clarke and Paul Holmgren.  They always gave us their best to provide a quality team and gave us every opportunity to win.  We will be forever incredibly proud and honored to have played for the Philadelphia Flyers, and we thank you for that opportunity. 

LINDROS: We'd also like to acknowledge some of the coaches, some names that will ring a bell: Bill Dineen, Terry Murray and of course Roger Neilson. Wonderful trainers in Jim Evers, Harry Bricker, Rock Oratorio, Jim McCrossin and Pat Croce – these are the guys that work tirelessly to ensure that we players are in the best position to play, every night, night after night.  So thank you. 

LECLAIR: There's also many people behind the scenes that were instrumental in making our time here in Philadelphia run smoothly, and we'd like to thank the entire Flyers staff for that, especially Joe Kadlec, Barry Hanrahan, Zack Hill and Jill Lipson. Eric and I have been blessed to play with so many great players, great people and just great friends of ours. It would be challenging to name them all, but there's just a few special ones who couldn't make it here tonight that we'd like to recognize – Kevin Dineen, Craig MacTavish, Dave Babych, Rod Brind'Amour, Luke Richardson, Rob DiMaio, Trent Klatt and Joel Otto.  

LINDROS: And we're blessed to have some here tonight – obviously Ron Hextall's in the house, Craig Berube behind the bench.  Terry Carkner, Eric Desjardins, who obviously is going into the Hall of Fame in February… Shjon Podein, and I think later on we just might see Mikael Renberg.  

LECLAIR: Personally I'd like to thank two coaches that had a big impact on my hockey development – my high school coach Reg Gendron, and my college coach Mike Gilligan. I'd also like to thank my agent throughout the year, Lewis Gross.  I'm fortunate to be able to call all three of them lifelong friends. I'd also like to thank my friends and family for their tremendous support, especially my parents, whose unconditional love and sacrifices made it possible for me to achieve my dream. I know if Dad was here tonight, he'd be as proud as my mom is right there. Tonight's honor is as much yours as it is mine. To my three children, who I often refer to as my greatest hat trick ever – Mackenzie, Cal and Jagger – I want to thank you for never, ever letting hockey define me.  Instead I've always been first and foremost your dad who happens to play hockey. As happy a moment as this is for me this evening, it pales in comparison to how happy you guys make me each and every day. I'm so proud of you guys. To my incredible wife Tina – there's no shot that I'm standing here today if it wasn't for your guidance and support. I'm lost without you. There's no way to say it but simply, you're the best. I love you.To the best fans in the NHL – you guys are awesome, Philadelphia.  Win or tie, you were always behind us and that's what I loved about playing here – you didn't accept losing. You demanded the best from your team, and that relentless enthusiasm and passion for the game was a contagious energy I felt every time I stepped on the ice, and I want to thank you for that. Lastly, throughout my career here at the Flyers, I was always asked the same question over and over again – is Eric the reason for your success?  And my answer is, and always will be, yes, of course.  Big E raised my game to another level, and the fact of the matter is, he raised everybody he ever played with.  He made their game better too. The seven years we were able to play together was an unbelievable ride, and I've been fortunate enough to play with one of the best NHL players to ever lace them up. Thanks E. We loved winning together, and hated losing even more. I gave Philly my best hockey; I hope you feel the same way too. I had a blast. Thanks everybody. 

LINDROS: Classy player, classy person. Fantastic. On a personal note, I'd like to thank all the coaches I had growing up who volunteered their time to make a young boy's dream of playing in the NHL a reality. I know there are many people in this rink tonight that selflessly volunteer to coach and support youth athletics.  I'd like to say hats off to all of you. You are the ones who offer the opportunity to participate, learn, enjoy and dream.  It's because of the coaches that make that happen. I'd like to recognize my junior team in Oshawa and my billets, Gil and Jean Hughes. Get better, baby Jean. To my wonderful friends… these guys are around here somewhere, a lot of them came in tonight.  They're all up top and scattered around. Thank you so much for your wonderful support throughout this journey.  I feel blessed to have many of you here with me today, with our family today.  To my parents and my family, who sacrificed countless hours helping me every step of the way – without them, it just doesn't happen.  I now have a new team… we're a little bit smaller and overall don't sleep very much, but on behalf of Kina and my son Carl Pierre, a happy boy – love you guys – we'd like to thank you all for this wonderful acknowledgement.  Lastly, to the fans – thank you.  Night in and night out, you guys brought passion and energy to the Wells Fargo Center for every game.  We felt you, we played for you, and whether it was a chat on a street or down an aisle in a grocery store, you couldn't get away from the energy.  It was fantastic, it was everywhere.  To this day, and forever more, it's so easy to say that Philadelphia Flyers fans are one of a kind. I just want to say thank you so much for the memories, your support, and again for this night. Let's go Flyers!