Chris Therien

Chris B. Therien (born December 14, 1971, in Ottawa, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played defence for the Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars in 12 National Hockey League seasons. He is currently the color commentator on Philadelphia Flyers radio broadcasts on WIP 610. Prior to this, he co-hosted "The Hockey Show" with Brian Startare on Sundays during hockey season, and was a studio commentator for CSN Philadelphia telecasts.

Playing career
After registering 35 goals and 37 assists in 31 games for the Northwood School (Lake Placid, New York) in 1989–90, Chris Therien was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round, 47th overall of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. He attended Providence College for three years and joined the Canadian national team after graduating. He was a member of the Canadian team which won silver at the 1994 Olympics. He started his professional career in 1994 playing for the Hershey Bears of the AHL. Once the NHL Lockout came to an end, he joined the Flyers and played every regular season and playoff game in the abbreviated season, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. He enjoyed his best season in 1996–97 by recording a career high in points (24) and plus/minus (+27) in 71 games while helping lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Known primarily as a defensive defenceman, Therien was usually partnered with Éric Desjardins over the years. Jaromír Jágr once listed him as one of the toughest defencemen he has ever had to play against. After playing his first 9 and a half seasons with the Flyers, he was traded to the Dallas Stars on March 8, 2004, for a 2004 8th round draft pick and a 2005 3rd round draft pick. He signed a one-year contract to return to the Flyers shortly after the 2004–05 NHL lockout came to an end, and ended up playing in 47 games before having his season cut short due to a head injury.

Awards

 * 1990–91: All-Rookie Team (Hockey East)
 * 1992–93: Second All-Star Team (Hockey East)
 * 1993–94: Silver Medal (XVII Olympic Winter Games)
 * 1994–95: All-Rookie Team (NHL)

Records

 * His 753 games played as a Philadelphia Flyer is first among defencemen in Flyers history.

International play
Played for Canada on/in:
 * 1992–93 National Team
 * 1993–94 National Team
 * XVII Olympic Winter Games (Silver)