In 124 playoff games, Briere scored 116 points, including 13 game-winning goals.
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The Flyers began their rally with a goal from James van Riemsdyk. He also had 36 goals and 32 assists in 62 playoff games with the club. Check out the 5 minute, 30 second video on YouTube that highlights all 30 points he scored during the Flyers’ 2010 run toward the Stanley Cup Finals.
Today marks the end of a very solid career for Briere.
In his postseason career, he went to the playoffs ten times and did not win a Stanley Cup. But his frequent travels between National Hockey League and AHL rinks finally changed late in the 2000-01 season. Along with Scott Gomez and Buffalo teammate Chris Drury, Briere was part of a star-studded free-agent class and turned out to be the best of the three. Briere made time for fans, started The Daniel Briere Foundation over a decade ago, and has annual charity golf and poker tournaments that have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in Canada. Briere has a unique way of making people he meets feel they are a friend. His height would not keep him from playing in this league. As a business decision, using a compliance buyout on Briere was a virtual no-brainer.
So instead of planning for an 18 season, Briere is planning for his wedding next summer. But everyone around the team missed the positive example Briere set.
“We were high-fiving pretty much that day once we got word Danny was heading our way”, said Flyers president Paul Holmgren, who was GM at the time. It led to a power-play goal for Milan Lucic, the first of two in a row for him. I think the whole team was. He can rest assured that his play here was respected and valued. “Basically, as a hockey player, you’re not just talking to the media”.
Briers gave special acknowledgement to his time with the Flyers. Briere always did it cheerfully and with a healthy dose of perspective.
In an injury-shortened 2005-2006 season, Briere averaged more than a point per game, registering 58 points (25-33) in just 48 games during the regular season. Since the 1998-99 season, Briere earned approximately $68.3 million. He and his wife are now divorced, and she lives near Philly.
“That [broadcasting] is a possibility in the future, ” Briere said.
Loyalty is rarely a two-way street in business. He held an emotional farewell news conference at the Skate Zone in Voorhees on Tuesday while his three sons Caelan, Carson, and Cameron watched from the back of the room. The Gatineau, Que., native spent time with the Coyotes, Sabres and Flyers before finishing with one-season stints with the Canadiens and Avalanche as his production dipped.
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Briere, 37, was drafted in 1996.
