André Lacroix, the skilled center who spent the 1971-72 season with the Chicago Blackhawks before becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Hockey Association history, has died at age 81.
News of his passing on was confirmed by the Philadelphia Flyers, where he began his NHL career as an original member, and by NHL.com.
Lacroix arrived in Chicago via trade on October 15, 1971, when the Blackhawks acquired him from the Flyers in exchange for defenseman Rick Foley.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound native of Lauzon, Quebec, joined a loaded roster that included Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.
The Blackhawks finished first in the West Division with a 46-17-15 record under coach Billy Reay, but Lacroix’s production dipped sharply in the Windy City.
In 51 regular-season games, he recorded 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points with a plus-4 rating and only 6 penalty minutes, plus one scoreless appearance in the playoffs.
That output stood in contrast to his earlier success in Philadelphia, where he had posted multiple 20-goal seasons and twice led the Flyers in scoring.
The limited role and reduced ice time in Chicago proved a brief detour.
After the 1971-72 campaign he jumped to the upstart WHA, immediately leading the league in points with the Philadelphia Blazers and later setting a professional single-season assists mark of 106 while winning a second scoring title with the San Diego Mariners.
Over seven WHA seasons he amassed 798 points (251 goals, 547 assists) in 551 games—still the league’s all-time records in points, assists, and games played.
In total, Lacroix appeared in 325 NHL games with the Flyers, Blackhawks, and later the Hartford Whalers, finishing with 79 goals and 198 points.
He also represented Canada in the 1974 Summit Series.
While his time in Chicago was short and statistically modest, it placed him alongside some of the era’s biggest stars on a division-winning club and formed one chapter of a career that ultimately made him one of professional hockey’s most prolific, if sometimes underappreciated, offensive talents.
The hockey community, including former teammates and the Flyers organization, has paid tribute to Lacroix as a skilled playmaker, gentleman, and dedicated ambassador of the game.
He is remembered by the Blackhawks organization and its fans as part of the franchise’s 1971-72 squad. Condolences go to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
