Howe, LeClair named head coaches for 2016 All-American Prospects Game

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

 

By @StefanKubus –

With 42 of the best American-born prospects eligible for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft skating in the 2016 All-American Prospects Game, they’ll certainly have two great hockey minds guiding them.

USA Hockey announced Monday that U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame members Mark Howe, son of the late Gordie Howe, and Philadelphia Flyers legend John LeClair will coach the two teams in the game, which takes place on Sept. 22 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The duo has represented the U.S. on seven occasions throughout their respective careers, including three Olympic Winter Games and two IIHF World Junior Championship teams.

Howe, a defenseman, played in the NHL from 1979-95, including a stint with the Red Wings from 1992-95 at the end of his career and was also inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. Before joining the NHL ranks, Howe skated in the World Hockey Association from 1973-79, spending four years with the Houston Aeros (1973-77) and two with the New England Whalers, from 1977-79. Howe was named WHA Rookie of the Year in 1974 and, alongside his father, Gordie, and brother, Marty, helped Houston capture back-to-back WHA championships in 1974 and 1975. In 929 career NHL games, Howe tallied 197 goals and 545 assists for 742 points.

On the international stage, Howe became the youngest hockey player to ever win a medal at Olympics, as he helped the U.S. earn silver at the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan.

Detroit fans may remember LeClair best from the Legion of Doom line and the Flyers’ Stanley Cup Final battle with the Wings in 1997. He was the first American-born player to record three consecutive 50-goal seasons when he did so from 1995-98. LeClair suited up in three different uniforms over the course of his 16-season career, first with Montreal in 1990 – where he won a Stanley Cup in 1993 – then with Philadelphia from 1994-2004 before closing out with Pittsburgh in 2007. He finished his career with 406 goals and 819 points in 967 career games.

LeClair was a member of that inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey team that was named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame 2016 class, and he also won silver with Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. On the international stage, he seemingly stepped up his game, having produced 34 points in 31 contests.