A lot of incredible players were selected with the first few picks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but it’s hard to believe that so many clubs decided to pass on Claude Giroux in the opening round after the numbers he put up during his junior career.
The Hearst, Ontario native was a member of the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL from 2005-2008 and he tore it up during his time in the Q. After scoring 39 goals and producing 103 points in 69 during his rookie campaign, Giroux scored 48 goals and produced 112 points in 63 games the following year, and capped off his junior career with 38 goals and 106 points in 55 games in 2007-08.
On Wednesday night Giroux returned to the barn where made so many memories as the Olympiques hosted a special night for him as they raised his No. 28 to the rafters.
The Philadelphia Flyers captain is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer right across the board as his 125 goals, 196 assists and 321 points lead every category, and is the only player in Olympiques history to score more than 300 points with the club.
Aside from the ceremonial banner raising, the team also hit the ice wearing No. 28 Giroux jerseys for the pre-game warm-up.
Giroux also joined the guys in the room before puck drop and his words of advice seemed to work out well in their favour as the home team escaped with a 4-1 victory on Giroux’s special night.
