By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Flyers have retired five numbers in the franchise's history, until Thursday night when a new one will join the prestigious group.
Eric Lindros will have his No. 88 retired by the Flyers on Thursday night before the Flyers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. For the former Flyers captain, it is going to be an "extremely special" night.
"Really excited. The moment Homer called and expressed his plans, just a deep feeling of being honored. I feel honored to be part of it," Lindros said. "The names that are up there in the rafters right now are just incredible names. Extremely happy and looking forward to it."
Lindros joins Bernie Parent, Mark Howe, Barry Ashbee, Bill Barber and Bobby Clarke as players who have their numbers hanging in the rafters of Wells Fargo Center. The typical criteria has been induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a longtime member of the Flyers, something that four of the five have achieved. Lindros was inducted in 2016.
Since that time, it has been a period of reflection for Lindros, looking back on a career that spanned over a decade and eight seasons in the Orange and Black.
"The last year and a bit has been really spectacular for us as a family," Lindros said. "It gives you a chance to reflect and think back to good times and just how lucky you are to play with certain guys, coaches, general managers and an organization like this. I thought overall we had some really good teams. It's a great spot to play; wonderful fans here."
While not many details of the ceremony prior to Thursday's game have been released, Lindros' family is in town for the festivities.
Lindros also took in Wednesday's practice in Voorhees and spoke with the team following practice. Lindros acknowledged that the team certainly has a lot of youth and pointed out that a lot is expected of young players. He added that veterans like Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds are expected to be the leaders they need to show them the way, both in the game and in the community.
For the past few years, it has been about patching up a relationship that ended on a bitter note. Lindros was traded following the 1999-2000 season by the Flyers and tensions were high until Lindros participated in the 2012 Winter Classic Alumni Game and received a warm welcome. In the years that have followed, Lindros was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame with longtime linemate John LeClair and took his place among the all-time greats in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The culmination of a tumultuous journey in the NHL is the jersey retirement ceremony on Thursday night.
When asked about memories of playing in Philadelphia, Lindros noted the good teams the Flyers had in the 1990s, the playoff runs and the success. But it was the fans that he kept coming back to and the passion they brought to home games every night.
"I think it's just the spirit, the spirit that goes with getting into the playoffs and just being in the rink," Lindros said. "You leave your house, you come down three hours before the game and it's hard to get into the parking lot because people have already started to arrive. That says something, right? People are excited to get going and excited to be going to the game. That spirit just comes right into the rink and you're playing in front of it. It's second to none."
The fans will be out in full force again on Thursday as they watch a Flyers legend take a permanent place in franchise history, as if he hadn't established one already.
"I'm excited about tomorrow," Lindros said. "It's going to be special."
