Flyers Articles [Archive] - Hockey Station Forums

swflyers25

8-15-05, 2:54 PM

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/homepageMainStory/13200.JPG

Flyers center Peter Forsberg arrived in Philadelphia over the weekend, and met the media on Monday morning in the Hall of Fame Room at the Wachovia Center. Below is a transcript of his press conference.

Bob Clarke: ?This is obviously a very special moment for the Flyers. For the longest time, we?ve tried to be the best team we can be, and we think that this is the best player that we?ve had in years and years in this organization. At this time in August, we?re a great team. We?ll see where we are in November, but we?re really, really excited to have Peter here with us, and we hope he puts the finishing touches on our team.?

Peter Forsberg: ?It?s kind of a new chapter, but I?m really excited. I played in Colorado for a long time, for 10 years, but the pages are turning and I?m really excited to be here. I didn?t really know when I became a free agent where I was going to end up, but I?m really happy that I ended up here.?

On the Flyers? additions and their roster:
PF: ?If you look at the team ? of course, I looked at the team too before I signed here. I am definitely happy that we have a big team. If you look at our defense, they are physical. Of course, for me, I was playing against [Derian] Hatcher and [Mike] Rathje and I know they are great players. We have young players that are hungry, and we have some older, experienced players. Just looking around the dressing room, and looking at the names, it?s going to be a good squad. But, you never know until you get on the ice and start playing. I think everybody knows, if you?re a Flyers fan, you know they are going to play hard. I think this year we?re going to have a tough team, and it?s going to be the same way this year.?

On if he talked to any players who played in Philadelphia before he signed:
PF: ?Definitely. Rumors go around the league on who is treating players well, and who wants to win and stuff like that. I played with [Mattias] Timander last year. He was here a few years ago and we?re from the same town. He really enjoyed it here and thought it was a great place to play.?

On how he perceives the fans in Philadelphia:
PF: ?It?s all good (laughs). As long as you play well, they are good to you. It?s a big hockey town, and a great building to play.?

On how he ended up in Philadelphia:
PF: ?I kind of made a decision when Colorado had a week there before everybody else got in to negotiate. I don?t know exactly when it was, but I think when I became a free agent there was no turning back. I had to move on. Everything with the Flyers came in pretty late I have to say. Like I said, I was really excited when they called me, and after that it went really fast.?

On almost being here when he was drafted:
PF: ?Back then, I was a young kid and I really didn?t know too much about hockey. I never played for the Flyers, so I didn?t really know what it meant to be dealt to Quebec either. I think it was lucky for me that Quebec got sold to Denver; otherwise we wouldn?t have had that team that we had for a long time. I didn?t think too much about it, but I was making sure this time I got a no trade clause in the deal (laughs). So they can?t get rid of me.?

On the city expecting a Stanley Cup and the pressure it may bring:
PF: ?I think that?s going to be our goal anyway. There?s no secret that everybody is?I don?t know if they expect it. It?s a long season and a lot of things have to go right. There are a lot of teams that are going to have to put good squads out there on the ice. I think definitely, our goal is going to be to win the Cup. For me, personally, I don?t really look around at what people are saying or writing or anything. It?s just what we have to go as a group and how we have to achieve that goal.?

On the passion that he has playing right now:
PF: ?There were a lot of injuries and hurting every time I got on the ice. There were minor injuries, and a spleen and everything. It was a little tough there for a while I have to say. I sat out the whole year, and I thought it was good that I sat out, and I realized this is what I want to do. I really missed playing hockey. That was 2001. After that, I?ve enjoyed playing every game. So, I don?t know how long I?m going to play, and how long I?m going to continue to play, but I?m enjoying it right now and it?s going to be a great feeling to get out there and play. It was a little tough there for a while because I didn?t play as well as I wanted and there were a lot of things going on, so it was tough, but I got the joy back for the game and it?s great.?

On the rules changes in the NHL:
PF: ?The rule changes they made is for more offensive hockey and for more goals. I wouldn?t mind it. I think it?s going to be great for hockey to see more goals. I don?t think it?s going to change the game that much, maybe a little bit, but just the smaller equipment on goalies and other things is going to help out. If the referees start calling the game a little closer, with the hooking and holding, I think that?s going to help it. Overall, it?s just good for hockey I guess. The scoring has been going down for a long time, and I think it?s time to go the other direction for a little bit. The goalies were getting so good, if you look at 20 years back they barely had any pads. But now, they are bigger pads and the goalies are unbelievable and good. It?s hard to score on a regular shot; they almost have to get screened. I think it?s a great thing that they made the equipment smaller. So, it?s going to benefit the whole game to have more goals.?

On the Flyers selling many tickets because of him:
PF: ?Definitely, it?s better than not selling out (laughs). We just have to go out and perform now. Everybody has said before that it?s a great hockey town, and I think people have missed hockey. It was a tough year for everybody. I?m sure the fans were mad, and it?s tough for the players to sit out the whole year. But now, we?ve got to work together. The players, the league and the fans have to try and make the league better. Of course, it?s much more fun as players to play when it?s sold out if the crowd gets into it. Hopefully we can work together to make the game better and better every day.?

On if it was a difficult decision to come back to the NHL rather than stay in Sweden:
PF: ?Oh, not this year. I made it clear right from the beginning that I wanted to come back and play in the NHL. I just didn?t know where.?

On Bob Clarke saying he is the best player in the game:
PF: ?It?s a lot of pressure (laughs). No, it?s definitely good to hear that, but I just have to make sure I come here to play every night. That?s what I have always done, and I?m just going to go out and do my best and hopefully everyone is going to be happy. I don?t know, but we?ll see. I am just really excited to come here and play, and I?m just going to go out and play my heart out every night.?

On how difficult it is to relocate after being in Colorado for so long:
PF: ?That?s a tough question, actually. I had a good time in Colorado; I can?t say anything else. It?s a good organization and we had a great team for a long time. But, when the time comes, I made up my mind that I was moving on. I had to forget about what was in the past, and just look forward. Like I said, this is a place I really wanted to go to, and I had a chance to come here, so now I just have got to look forward. I can?t look back. I have to look forward and try to win a Cup over here.

?It was hard, because I played with a few guys for 10 years. I don?t think I?m known as a player who moves around and wants to change teams and creates problems where I am. I don?t think I?m that kind of guy. So, it was a little tough, to talk to the guys I played with. But, I think everybody understood. With the new system, it created a lot of players to move around. I was not the only guy who left. Adam Foote was there for 10 years too, at least. He played with me for 10 years, and he moved on too. It?s just part of the game and part of the new system. There?s nothing you can do, of course. I?m sure some people are frustrated to see Foote and I leave, but they have some good young players there so they are moving on, and I?m sure they are going to have a good team anyway.?

On if he is going to help young players such as Jeff Carter and Mike Richards:
PF: ?From what I have heard, they are really good players already. I haven?t even met them or seen them play, so I?m going to be excited to see them coming into camp and see what they can do. Definitely, I?m going to try to help them out. I?m older now, so definitely I?m going to try and help them out. That?s just the way it goes.?

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13199.JPG
Publicity shots were taken after the news conference.

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2097.asp)

http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/tempVideos/pf21_1.rm
http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/tempVideos/pf21_2.rm
http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/tempVideos/pf21_final.rm

Clips from the press conference.

swflyers25

8-15-05, 11:14 PM

Fans can cast votes for team?s all-time best players

(PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 12, 2005) - The reigning Calder Cup-champion Philadelphia Phantoms, who will be entering their 10th season as a member of the American Hockey League this fall, announced today that online voting for their All-Decade Team will begin this Monday, Aug. 15 at www.phantomshockey.com.

Beginning at 2:00 p.m. this Monday, fans can click on the All-Decade link on the right side of the team?s homepage to vote for the best players in club history. Each of the five positions will be voted on for a week, starting with the eight candidates at left wing, which include Frank Bialowas, Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Maneluk.

After the votes are tabulated, the Phantoms will reveal the First and Second All-Decade Teams during the 2005-06 season.

?As the Phantoms enter their 10th anniversary season, we thought this was an appropriate time to give our fans the opportunity to recognize the Phantoms? greats from the first decade of play,? said Chief Operating Officer Frank Miceli. ?There have been so many quality players over the years, so it?s going to be a lot of fun for the fans to choose the very best in team history.?

The Phantoms kick off their 2005-06 season on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7:05 p.m., when they take on the Binghamton Senators at the Wachovia Center. To place a deposit on a game plan or season tickets, please call 215-465-4522, or log on to www.phantomshockey.com.

Comcast-Spectacor is the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm which owns the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Phantoms, the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum, Flyers Skate Zone community ice skating and ice hockey rinks, and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Comcast-Spectacor is also the principal owner of Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field with more than 45 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage service provider; New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing company for public assembly facilities; and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Bowie Baysox, Delmarva Shorebirds and Frederick Keys baseball teams, all affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles.

Middle of the page on the right (http://www.phantomshockey.com/pressbox/archive/1431.asp)

swflyers25

8-19-05, 2:36 PM

(PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19, 2005) - The Philadelphia Phantoms will be throwing a Calder Cup Carnival on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Wachovia Spectrum, allowing fans the opportunity to see the prestigious trophy up close and get autographs from Phantoms players.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on the floor of the Wachovia Spectrum. Fans who bring their own cameras can take pictures with the Calder Cup, as well as several Phantoms players who were a part of the AHL championship team in 2004-05.

A dunk tank, moon bounce, balloon typhoon and money pit will be among the other activities that night, as well as clowns, balloon artists and face painters. Merchandise and concession stands will also be open on the concourse.

In addition, the Calder Cup Carnival will serve as a Select-A-Seat Night, as available seat locations at the Spectrum will be tagged for new ticket plan purchasers or relocations.

There will also be free parking for the carnival in H Lot of the Wachovia Complex.

The Phantoms kick off their 2005-06 season on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7:05 p.m., when they take on the Binghamton Senators at the Wachovia Center. To place a deposit on a game plan or season tickets, please call 215-465-4522, or log on to www.phantomshockey.com.

Comcast-Spectacor is the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm which owns the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Phantoms, the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum, Flyers Skate Zone community ice skating and ice hockey rinks, and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Comcast-Spectacor is also the principal owner of Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field with more than 45 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage service provider; New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing company for public assembly facilities; and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Bowie Baysox, Delmarva Shorebirds and Frederick Keys baseball teams, all affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Phantoms (http://www.phantomshockey.com/pressbox/archive/1432.asp)

swflyers25

8-19-05, 4:30 PM

by Kevin Kurz, philadelphiaflyers.com

Voorhees, NJ ? After four long days of workouts, bike rides, weight lifting and running, the latest crop of Flyers prospects was mixed with a group of Flyers veterans and members of last season?s Phantoms team for a morning scrimmage at the Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone, as mini-camp came to a close.

Several of the Flyers and Phantoms veterans were mixed with the kids into orange and black squads for a friendly, yet intense contest. Among those players expected to be with the Flyers who are already in town include Chris Therien, Joni Pitkanen, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Sami Kapanen, Donald Brashear, Antero Niittymaki, Eric Desjardins and Turner Stevenson.

Some of them have not skated in quite awhile due to the lost season and want to make sure they are ready for training camp in mid-September.

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13245.JPG
Flyers defenseman Chris Therien is back in the area preparing for training camp

?I hadn?t skated in quite awhile, and I think it?s important now to start,? said Therien, who was reacquired by the club as a free agent earlier this month. ?Obviously, we never really start skating a month before training camp, but with the circumstances of having lost a year, and especially with a lot of guys here in their thirties, I think it?s an important time for guys to get out and start skating and getting reacquainted with the rink and get back in skating shape.

?It?s one thing to be running and riding the bikes and that stuff, but there?s no substitute for skating.?

While the veterans, such as Therien, are trying to get back into game shape, it is an entirely new experience for the prospects in town for the mini-camp headed by Flyers Strength and Conditioning Coach Jim McCrossin. McCrossin has the kids in the workout room for several hours each day when they are not on the ice, metaphorically driving home the point that it is hard work to make it to the National Hockey League.

While it is certainly a thrill for the kids to take to the ice with established NHL players, it is just as exciting for the veterans.

?It?s nice to be on the ice with them. It reminds you when you started, and having a chance to play with or against NHL?ers is certainly fun for them, but it was good for me too,? said Desjardins. ?After being off for over a year and half, I need some action and to face a game situation.?

?I remember that time of youthful exuberance, if you will,? said Therien. ?They are excited, and it?s a new endeavor for them. You can sense their nervousness of if they are doing the right thing, and that?s a neat feeling to see those guys because you remember when you were one of them.?

Downie Eager to Impress

The Flyers? first round draft pick, Steve Downie, arrived to mini camp on Thursday, although it wasn?t his first trip to the practice facility.

Downie visited the Flyers prior to the 2005 NHL Entry Draft to speak with several members of Flyers management. Clearly, the brain trust of the organization was impressed with him enough to choose him 29th overall. Now, Downie wants to show them right away that they did not make a mistake.

?It was nice, really laid back,? said Downie of his first trip to Philadelphia. ?I met all of the staff here and it was really nice and very professional.

?I just want to leave an impression, and that?s about it. I want to show them that I want to be here.?

Downie admits that he doesn?t know a whole lot about the organization, but when asked what he thought of the Flyers before the draft, he was quick to point out that his game should suit this team, and this town, quite nicely.

?I think of them as a tough team, and their style is the way I play,? he said. ?I?m feisty and very intense. I love getting in the corners, and I love hitting. I really base my whole game around intensity.?

Friday, August 19, 2005

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2099.asp)

swflyers25

8-22-05, 2:25 PM

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swflyers25

8-22-05, 4:56 PM

Storr, Chouinard, Kavanagh and Ready Agree to One-Year Deals

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that goaltender Jamie Storr and forwards Eric Chouinard, Pat Kavanagh and Ryan Ready have agreed to one-year contracts with the club, according to Assistant General Manager Paul Holmgren. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

"Jamie is a goaltender who has been around the league for a while,? said Holmgren in making the announcement. ?He gives us excellent depth at the goaltender position and we look for a strong year from him. Ryan Ready was one of our key veterans on our Phantoms team last year. We thought he deserved a shot to come back and give it a good shot to make the Flyers roster. We feel very fortunate to be able to get Eric Chouinard back and give him another chance at cracking the line-up. Pat Kavanagh is a former Flyers draft pick. He is another guy who brings depth at the forward position.

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13254.JPG
Ryan Ready helped the Phantoms to the Calder Cup in 2004-05

?All these guys will probably start with the Phantoms but with injuries you never know. They are all good hockey players and they all give us depth."

Storr, 29, posted a 14-27-3 record, 2.95 goals against average and .913 save percentage in 46 games for the Springfield Falcons and Utah Grizzlies of the American Hockey League during the 2003-04 season. In 10 NHL seasons with Los Angeles and Carolina, the 6-2, 200-pound goaltender has a 85-86-23 record and 2.54 goals against average in 219 regular season games.

Chouinard, 25, posted five goals and five assists for 10 points and 42 penalty minutes in 16 regular season games for Salzburg EC of the Austrian League during the 2004-05 season. In three NHL seasons with Montreal, the Flyers and Minnesota, the 6-3, 204-pound left wing has 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points and 14 penalty minutes in 89 regular season games.

Kavanagh, 26, was originally drafted by the Flyers in the second round (50th overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He posted 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points and 87 penalty minutes in 80 regular season games for the Binghamton Senators of the AHL during the 2004-05 season. In three NHL seasons with Vancouver, the 6-3, 195-pound right wing has two goals and two penalty minutes in six regular season games.

Ready, 26, posted seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points and 104 penalty minutes in 72 regular season games with the Flyers? American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004-05 season. The 6-2, 196-pound left wing added two goals and 11 assists for 13 points and six penalty minutes in 19 playoff games in helping lead the Phantoms to the Calder Cup.

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2101.asp)

swflyers25

8-23-05, 1:20 PM

Clarke promises real hockey
By Jim Kernaghan, Free Press Sports Columnist

Up until the time exhibition games became "preseason" games in the sports vernacular -- about the same time used cars took on the more benign "pre-owned" -- their purpose was pretty straightforward.

It was for players to get into condition while showing team colours to the faithful. And turning a few bucks at the gate and the souvenir stand.

You might even see a star now and then. Mostly, you saw the upper echelon of players taking a few shifts while each team's hopefuls and rookies had it out.

However you want to term what the Brits call friendlies, the Philadelphia Flyers-Atlanta Thrashers game at the John Labatt Centre Sept. 17 will be deadly serious, promises Philly general manager Bob Clarke. It can hardly be anything else under the circumstances.

"We have to accomplish a lot of things in seven (exhibition) games," Clarke said. "We have half a team that has never played together and we have the kids so we've got a lot of work to do in a short period of time under new rules. It's really got to be full speed ahead."

The days are long gone when players turned up for a long training camp to sweat off a summer's inactivity by working toward game fitness in a long barnstorming tour.

They have to be physically ready coming into camp now to devote all their attention to timing and other fine points. It'll be all hands on deck for the game here, Clarke says.

"Everybody," he said. "The only reason somebody wouldn't be with the team would be because of an injury."

That means the man Clarke says caps off the Flyers' lightning post-lockout moves to add quality free agents under the new bargaining agreement will be here. He's the guy who looks like a wolf and plays like one, too, Peter Forsberg.

There's no doubt Philly is going to be a handful with the addition of guys such as giant defencemen Derien Hatcher, Mike Rathje and Chris Therien, along with two of the best from junior hockey, London's Jeff Carter (Soo Greyhounds) and Mike Richards (Kitchener Rangers).

All are slated to play here, as are Atlanta's new names, Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Clarke touched on other reasons it's important to get road games in hot hockey markets, especially going into the most unusual season the NHL has ever experienced. With so many newcomers, road games provide a better opportunity for them to get to know one another.

London is the perfect stop from a number of perspectives. Global Spectrum Facility Management, operators of the JLC, is a subsidiary of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor.

It's a sort of home game. And playing to a full house in true hockey country provides fire.

"There's nothing worse than going into a building and there's only a couple of thousand people," Clarke said. "It'll be a full house in London, a great building, and players always want to perform for a lot of excited hockey fans."

Along with a lot of players getting acquainted, there's the important issue of them getting acquainted with the new rules. Clarke likes the return of the tag-up rule that cuts down offside whistles.

"It's the most important because it helps maintain the flow of the game," he reasoned. "That's what the fans want and that's what the players want. It ought to provide more scoring chances."

Like everyone else, he's waiting to see how the on-ice officials are permitted to call games under the new rules.

"If there are going to be calls for every little nick and hold, it's going to be a broken game again," he warned.

That would make it a sort of pre-owned game, wouldn't it?

Slam! (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2005/08/23/1184824-sun.html)

swflyers25

8-23-05, 7:42 PM

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13259.JPG
Flyers captain discusses revamped roster and concussion recovery

Flyers center Keith Primeau recently returned to the area and has started working out and skating with other players at the Flyers' training facility in Voorhees, NJ. Below is a transcript of a Q and A with the Flyers' captain.

To hear the original audio of the interview, click Audio (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/media_Sounds/gameList.asp)

On how excited he is to get the season underway:

?Really excited, for lots of different reasons. First and foremost, the fact that we missed an entire season last year and were unable to do what we enjoy and love to do. That was the most difficult part. Next, would be all of the new faces and the great players that we brought into the dressing room in the hopes of helping us win a championship.?

On how he thinks Bob Clarke and the front office did in making the acquisitions:

?The one thing about Clarkie is he?s always going to give us an opportunity. For me, that was one of the biggest deciding factors when I re-signed a year ago. As a player, there? s no better feeling than being a part of an organization or franchise that is willing to go that distance and give you a chance to win. He?s done it again.?

On replacing Jeremy Roenick with Peter Forsberg:

?Jeremy was a good player for us for the three years that he was here. He was always colorful and was always quotable. He?ll be missed, but at the same time we all know Peter?s track record and just exactly what he brings to the table. As much as J.R. will be missed, Peter will replace that and bring a lot to the locker room.?

On what he did to stay in shape during the work stoppage:

?I was at the gym five days a week. Once they cancelled the season, back in February, I stopped skating until about four weeks ago. Physically and mentally my body hasn?t felt this good in a long time. For me, it was somewhat of a blessing in that I still had those concussion symptoms for a long time, post-playoffs. Although I would have tried skating in camp last year, I probably wouldn?t have been ready to go. So, the time off for me has been a real blessing, but now I feel 100 percent and I?m ready to go.?

On his post-concussion symptoms:

?As I said, it took a long time to subside. I would only say I?ve been symptom free in the last three or four months. If you go back three or four months, that?s probably May, or April at the earliest. That would have been an entire season. As I said, I?ve been feeling great the last three or four months. My workouts have been strong, and I?m just really excited about the year.

?I would say my cardio is where I want it to be. Strength-wise, I don?t know if I?ve been stronger, but I?d rather be strong this time of year and have the next four or five weeks to build up my conditioning. We all know once we get on the ice, Hitch will put us through our paces.?

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2102.asp)

swflyers25

8-24-05, 10:43 PM

Applications due by September 2

Fun, energetic and enthusiastic?if these words describe you then you might be the perfect candidate to serve as the Flyers? 2005-06 In-Arena Host.

The Philadelphia Flyers are looking for an in-arena host to handle entertainment and promotional duties during commercial breaks and intermissions at all Flyers? home games.

Qualifications include: excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience in broadcasting and handling various live events, outgoing, charismatic, and enthusiastic personality. Those applying must also be creative and possess improvisational skills, the ability to speak well in front of large groups and be available to work all Flyers home games (preseason regular season and playoffs) and community appearances as needed. All applicants must be at least 18 years old by September 1, 2005.

The job functions of the in-arena host will be to emcee all Flyers in-game promotions, conduct interviews assigned by the game presentation manager and other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Interested individuals should submit resume, audition tape (VHS), headshots and cover letter to:

Philadelphia Flyers
Attention: In-Arena Host Auditions
3601 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148

Please note that submissions will not be returned to applicant. They are due in by September 2.

Selected applicants will be notified by the Flyers on Thursday, September 8, 2005 to attend the on-site audition at the Wachovia Center.

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2103.asp)

swflyers25

8-24-05, 11:10 PM

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

By CHUCK GORMLEY
Courier-Post Staff

VOORHEES

The post-concussion symptoms Flyers captain Keith Primeau endured throughout most of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs haunted him for an entire year and it was only recently that the 14-year veteran finally shook the cobwebs.

"Physically and mentally my body hasn't felt this good in a long time," Primeau said Tuesday, after a brisk workout at the Flyers Skate Zone. "For me (the NHL lockout) was somewhat of a blessing in that I still had those concussion symptoms for a long time, post-playoffs. Although I would have tried skating in camp last year, I probably wouldn't have been ready to go."

Primeau, 33, suffered a concussion on Feb. 12 in New York, when he was upended in an open-ice hit against the Rangers. He missed the next 21 games, but returned with a vengeance in the playoffs, leading the Flyers in goals (nine) and points (16).

He later admitted the adrenaline of the playoffs got him through the concussion symptoms and that he felt exercise-induced headaches through last summer and into last spring.

"It took a long time to subside," he said. "I would only say I've been symptom free in the last three or four months. It would have been an entire season (with concussion symptoms)."

Primeau said that since April he has begun increasing his workouts and now feels as strong as he's felt in years.

"I was at the gym five days a week," he said. "Strength-wise, I don't know if I've been stronger, but I'd rather be strong this time of year and have the next four or five weeks to build up my conditioning."

When training camp opens Sept. 19, Primeau could find himself fourth on the Flyers' depth chart at the center position, behind Peter Forsberg, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, although his role as the Flyers' top defensive center will not change.

Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said Carter could begin his NHL career as a right wing on a line with Forsberg, much the same way Simon Gagne moved from center to left wing. And with Michal Handzus listed as a fifth center, the Flyers certainly have plenty of options.

Primeau was among those stunned by Clarke's willingness to dive head-first into the free-agent pool this summer, where he emerged with Forsberg and behemoth defensemen Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje in a span of two days.

"The one thing about Clarkie is he's always going to give us an opportunity," Primeau said. "For me, that was one of the biggest deciding factors when I re-signed (with a four-year deal). As a player, there's no better feeling than being a part of an organization or franchise that is willing to go that distance and give you a chance to win. He's done it again."

Primeau said fans may miss the irrepressible Jeremy Roenick, who has taken his act to Los Angeles, but they'll quickly recognize the all-around talent the Flyers have acquired in Forsberg, a two-time Stanley Cup champion.

"(Roenick) was always colorful and was always quotable and he'll be missed," Primeau said. "But at the same time we all know Peter's track record and what he brings to the table. As much as J.R. will be missed, Peter will replace that and bring a lot to the locker room."

Primeau took advantage of the long work stoppage by getting his hockey equipment company, Fury, off the production line and onto the streets. He said more than a dozen NHL players will be wearing his equipment this season and at least a handful of NHL players will be using his stick.

"We've really created a buzz in the retail and manufacturing industries," said Primeau, who will ring the opening bell at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange on Sept. 1. "We'll be visible."

Courier Post (http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/index.html)

swflyers25

8-25-05, 11:15 PM

Flyers Head Coach Staying Busy and Preparing for Training Camp

by Kevin Kurz, philadelphiaflyers.com

Philadelphia ? Ever the ambassador for the team, Flyers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock has only been back in the area for a couple of days but was on hand at the Wachovia Center on Thursday to talk to a group of sponsors about the upcoming season. He is also set to take part in youth and adult hockey mini camps at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, beginning on Monday. In addition to the several TV appearances and radio call-ins he has been consistently making since the end of the work stoppage, has he had any time to think about training camp beginning in less than a month?

Of course he has.

?We?re going to start on Sunday here again and just review everything. [The coaching staff has] had two series of meetings already, so starting Sunday we?re going to review our technical plans, our game plans, and then we?re going to get together and start finalizing all of the roles in conjunction with the Phantoms? coaches in regards to training camp,? said Hitchcock.

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//9661.JPG
Ken Hitchcock mans the bench during the 2004 NHL playoffs

Then, we?re also going to get together and discuss and formulate our team: who is playing with whom, and what our personnel is going to look like when we play together, and what we can expect. We?ll have some discussions on what some other people think some good line combinations will be, and stuff like that.?

There is certainly lots of work to be done, as the Flyers? roster has changed dramatically since the team came just one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004. The key additions are no secret, as Peter Forsberg, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje all signed as unrestricted free agents in early August. Mike Knuble and Turner Stevenson were added in the summer of 2004, while an influx of young talent from the Calder Cup-winning Phantoms includes Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and Antero Niittymaki.

Hitchcock is quick to point out that of all of those additions, every one of them has won a championship at either the NHL or AHL level except for Rathje. Forsberg won two Cups in Colorado; Hatcher won with Hitchcock in Dallas in 1999; Knuble was a member of the Detroit Red Wings? Cup team in 1998; Stevenson won two championships with New Jersey; and Carter, Richards and Niittymaki all won with the Phantoms this past season.

?We?ve added, in my opinion, a lot of very competitive players,? said Hitchcock. ?Knuble and Stevenson, Hatcher and Rathje, Forsberg?these are really competitive players. Skill level is one thing, but I?ve seen a lot of skilled players who don?t compete very hard. I know the players here, if you look across the board, almost all of them have won championships, especially in the NHL. That knowledge is invaluable, because we?re going to need it.?

Although the Flyers have improved in Hitchcock?s opinion, there are other teams in the Eastern Conference that have also become much better since the last season. By no means does the head coach think that it will be an easy ride.

?I see a lot of teams that have really improved. I see teams like Ottawa, Boston, Florida and Atlanta. These teams have improved dramatically,? he said. ?That doesn?t include a team like Tampa Bay or New Jersey, teams that are always right there.

?I see a lot of teams who are probably giving the same speech we are, that we have a fighting chance, and that is what we?re looking for. We?ve got it, but we also know some of those other teams do as well. If you?re asking for a competitive balance, you?re going to see it because there are a lot of have-nots that now have good teams. It?s going to make for great competition.?

One announcement of note from Hitchcock is that the team will be returning to West Point, NY for four days to practice, take part in team building exercises and try and build that chemistry that is so important to a team?s success in his mind.

?It is conjunction with a lot of the things we?re going to do in September and October to try and bring our group together and create as much chemistry as we can as quickly as we can,? said Hitchcock. ?We can?t wait to get out of the box here. We can?t assume that we will have the chemistry like we did before, because, quite frankly, we?ve changed half of our lineup. I think what we have to do is create situations that chemistry can occur in, create some adversity and challenges that it can occur in, and West Point is one of those.?

FLYERS NOTES
For more information on the mini camp that Hitchcock is taking part in, click here. ? Several Flyers veterans have been skating at the Flyers training facility in the morning from 8:00 to approximately 9:30 daily.

For Flyers ticket information and an updated seating chart, please click here or call (215) 218-PUCK (7825).

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2106.asp)

swflyers25

8-31-05, 4:47 PM

Stevenson Eager to Make Flyers Debut

Former New Jersey Devil signed with team in summer of 2004

by Kevin Kurz, philadelphiaflyers.com

Voorhees, NJ ? Flyers fans know Turner Stevenson well.

Although he was not one to put up tremendous offensive numbers during his four years with New Jersey, Stevenson consistently was an agitator with his 6-3, 220?pound frame as the Devils and Flyers battled for Atlantic Division supremacy during the regular season and then met twice in the playoffs.

He signed with the Flyers in July of 2004, so his debut with his former rivals has been a little bit delayed, although that has not diminished his excitement.

?It?s never easy coming to a new team, especially from a team that is one of your main rivals,? said Stevenson. ?It will be interesting, but I?m excited about the change. When I was a free agent this would have been one of my top picks anyway to try to play for, and they were interested in me so it worked out really well.?

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13294.JPG
Turner Stevenson tied a career high with 27 points in 2003-04

Stevenson is likely to play the same role in Philadelphia he played so well in New Jersey, as a third or fourth line winger who is relied upon to police the ice, deliver the big hit, pester the opposition, kill penalties and occasionally drop the gloves. He can, however, also contribute offensively and matched his best year when he registered 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points in 61 games in 2003-04.

Flyers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock also has an idea as to what Stevenson will bring to the table, having seen him for the past couple of years in the red and black.

?I?ve known Turner for a very long time. He?s a very dependable, team-oriented player,? said Hitchcock. ?He?s a player that has played on championship teams, he knows his role, he?s very good at it and he?s excellent at killing penalties. He contributes to the team in every area. He?s an honest and hard-working player.?

Stevenson is among a group of veterans that have already arrived at the Flyers? training facility more than two weeks before the beginning of training camp. With the year off, and with all of the new faces, the players recognize that coming together quickly as a team will be of utmost importance for the beginning of the regular season on October 5.

As a member of the Devils? Stanley Cup teams in 2000 and 2003, Stevenson knows what it takes for a roster of 22 players to come together and become a championship-caliber group.

?It?s great to say we have a great team on paper, he said. ?We have great players on paper, but if you don?t mix in together and become one unit, that is the biggest part about winning and being on a winning team that I have been on. It?s all about the guys coming together and being a close knit group, not just individual talent.

?We?ve got a good team here. They made some great moves and we have to come together as a team and get it done on the ice.?

FLYERS NOTES
The only regulars who are not at the Flyers? training facility as of Wednesday morning include Kim Johnsson, Michal Handzus, Branko Radivojevic, Mike Knuble and Peter Forsberg. Everyone else is either skating or working out. ? While the players are preparing for camp, Ken Hitchcock and his coaching staff of Wayne Fleming and Terry Murray have been meeting as well. The Phantoms coaching staff of John Stevens, Kjell Samuelsson and Craig Berube are also in on the meetings. Coaches are not allowed on the ice with the players until the beginning of training camp.

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2107.asp)

swflyers25

9-01-05, 11:26 AM

Stevenson, Flyers breaking the ice

By ED MORAN

morane@phillynews.com

Watching Turner Stevenson chatting with Robert Esche after an hour of pickup hockey, it looked like they have been teammates for months.

While that would be technically true, Stevenson signed with the Flyers following the 2003-04 season, they are just getting to know each other.

The season-long NHL lockout kept Stevenson and Mike Knuble, who also signed that offseason, from pulling on a Flyers' practice jersey.

But now that hockey is back, Stevenson is getting to meet the people with whom he will spend the majority of his time in the coming 10 months.

"The only guys I knew before this are [Donald] Brashear and [Eric] Desjardins," the former New Jersey Devil said. "Other than that, it's just all guys I've played against."

Stevenson and most of the Flyers and Phantoms have been skating together every morning since last week at the Flyers' practice facility in Voorhees, N.J., working on getting in game shape before the start of training camp a week from Monday.

And one of the more important factors, other than getting used to skating again, is meeting new teammates.

When the Flyers take the ice in the season opener on Oct. 5 against the Rangers in the Wachovia Center, there will be up to 12 new faces. Big names and familiar faces are gone, including Jeremy Roenick, Mark Recchi and John LeClair.

They have been replaced with equally big names, but unfamiliar faces, including Peter Forsberg, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje. Stevenson and Knuble, even though they signed a year ago, also will be among those new faces.

Knuble is due in next week along with Forsberg, Hatcher, Simon Gagne, Michal Handzus and Branko Radivojevic.

"Coming in after a lengthy lockout, it's exciting," Stevenson said. "We've got a good team, we've made some great moves, and we just have to come together as a team and get it done on the ice.

"I knew there was going to be some decent changes with the [salary-] cap situation, most teams had to get under the cap and make moves that way, but the Flyers have made some great moves and I'm excited to be around."

And it's easy to see that he is not alone.

It might just be that they are happy to have their game back, but it doesn't hurt that the Flyers have put together a roster that, on paper, should be a favorite to win the Stanley Cup.

"I think the most important thing [coming into camp] is everybody getting their legs going, playing together, getting timing, I think that's crucial for the start of the season," Rathje said.

"It's nice being here and once I get my family here it will be better. It's a new environment. I've been in San Jose for so long, but I like it here so far. It's exciting, there are expectations and everything, which is different and I'm looking forward to the season's start.

"I had about five teams that I picked that I wanted to go and play for, and the Flyers were the only team in the East that I wanted to play for. I was really excited when they called and I was really happy that they made a big commitment to me and my family, so I'm happy to be here."

One Flyer who has been around for a while, but nearly missed out on the chance to play for this new team is Sami Kapanen. Following the run to the seventh game of the 2004 Eastern Conference finals, Kapanen was beat up and ready to call it quits.

He went as far as to tell general manager Bob Clarke that he was retiring. Clarke urged him to take his time with his decision and let the effects of the big hits Kapanen took during the playoffs wear off before committing to retirement.

"He told me that it might be fun for a little while being out, but being that young and retiring, I might regret it," Kapanen said. "I had made my decision and I was pretty serious that this was the final call. But as that summer went on my body told me to go out and work out and once I started working out, I felt like, 'Why would I just work out for fun?' "

So how does he feel about that now?

"You know how happy I am that I didn't retire seeing the signings," he said. "Obviously we lost some good players but this franchise every year does what it takes to give the team a chance.

"I was happy with Rathje, and Hatcher and [Chris] Therien signings, but out of the blue they signed Forsberg and it just tells you how much they care and how badly they want to win.

"It's going to be fun. It's been fun already just getting together here. Everybody is pushing each other, especially this week, now that we've been scrimmaging. We're trying to take care of the new guys and make them feel comfortable.

"I know how it feels to come to a new team and I want to make them feel at home in any way possible."

Snap shots

Unrestricted free-agent sniper Peter Bondra is still on the market and recent rumors had him choosing between the Flyers and New Jersey. But yesterdayBob Clarke said the Flyers are not interested.

"[Ritchie Winter, Bondra's agent] called about 2 weeks ago and said he was still available. But I told him we weren't interested," Clarke said.

Daily News (http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/12530498.htm)

swflyers25

9-02-05, 2:24 PM

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sport/0509/01/SPORT-01s11-ragnarsson-922.jpg

Almtuna for now - Djurg?rden after Christmas

Former Philadelphia defenseman Marcus Ragnarsson, 34, is something of Djurg?rden. (Doesn't translate well)

And Sportbladet can disclose that he will become a player for Djurgarden - after Christmas. I want to play the autumn in Almtuna. Then I and Djurg?rden will have a talk, says he to Sportbladet.

Marcus Ragnarsson has had several inquiries from NHL, but the 34 year old has decided to stay at home and consistently has said no to all contract proposals from North america. Instead, he has select to play for Premier Division Almtuna.

I feel good and I have assured the club that I will be there until Christmas. We shall see. I want to look around at other clubs (I'm probably reaching here), says Marcus Ragnarsson.

Urgent back needs
Djurg?rden - is in urgent needs of defensemen - the team has contacted him several times during the fall..
- I have spoken twice with Challe (Berglund) and also with their club director (Tommy Engstr?m). We talked and I have not closed any doors, says Marcus Ragnarsson.

Attractive?
- Yes, it's a little attractive.

Concurrent will the become incredible kul to play with Almtuna. The becomes safe little individual to play in Bofors instead for New york, but the exists an allure with the also. Don't know what this means.

Will you come back to the NHL
- I will miss the games, but it's better that I get away now if I want to come back later

Tired of traveling. That is history for me now. I will stay in Sweden.
So the can become the top division in the future?

- Not at all impossible. I and Djurg?rden will hold the contact during the winter and since may one see where that leads to.

Patrik Thorn?us
Published: 2005-09-01

Aftonbladet (http://www.aftonbladet.se/ettor/webb/543_normal.html)

swflyers25

9-06-05, 12:53 AM

Sep 2, 2005: Radovan Somik (RW/LW) - Signed with the Severstal Cherepovets of the Russian League.

It's all in Russian.. (http://www.severstalclub.ru/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1860&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0)

swflyers25

9-06-05, 2:27 PM

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13315.JPG

Flyers captain Keith Primeau made a special appearance on Tuesday when he met another famous Philadelphian in front of the National Constitution Center. NHL referee Kerry Fraser was also on hand for a cermonial faceoff between the two.

This is from the 50 pucks thingy:

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/slideShows/13302.JPG
How does Brash afford a yellow Lambo? We pay him too much... :rolleyes:

swflyers25

9-07-05, 5:41 PM

Cross-state rivalry bound to intensify in 2005-06

by Kevin Kurz, philadelphiaflyers.com

Voorhees, NJ ? When the NHL bosses decided that every team would face its division rivals eight times apiece during the regular season, it meant that many rivalries would be renewed and even intensified. While the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins have been on opposite ends of the Atlantic Division standings the past couple of seasons and the games not as competitive as previous years, that is all about to change.

Not only has Pittsburgh added former longtime Flyers Mark Recchi and John LeClair, but also there is another less obvious competition among former teammates that will take shape.

Flyers rookies Jeff Carter and Mike Richards and Penguins rookie and first overall draft choice of 2005 Sidney Crosby were all a part of the gold-medal winning World Junior Championship team of 2005, representing Canada. Carter registered 10 points in six games, including seven goals, which tied him for first in the tournament. Richards, the team captain, posted five points (1G, 4A) while Crosby finished with nine (6G, 3A).

All three stood out as world-class players who were ready to make an impact at the NHL level.

While it has been Crosby getting all of the attention from the national media ever since draft day (and even before), Carter and Richards have been praised as well as, being part of the next class of potential superstars, although not nearly as much as Crosby.

?I kind of like flying under the radar, to be honest,? said Carter. ?I?m not too worried about all that, because [Crosby] deserves everything that he?s got so far.?

?He?s a really good player, and a good kid off the ice,? said Richards. ?He?s really serious with hockey, and takes everything very seriously. You learn a lot of stuff from him just being around him, being on the ice and being around him in the dressing room.?

One advantage that Carter and Richards have over Crosby is pro experience. Carter spent the end of the last two seasons playing with the Phantoms, while Richards came on at the end of last season as the two helped the Flyers? AHL affiliate capture the Calder Cup Championship. Carter led the league in postseason points with 23 (12G, 11A) in 21 games and Richards added 15 points (7G, 8A) in 14 games.

Crosby has yet to play a pro game on any level.

?It was huge,? said Carter of his time with the Phantoms. ?Last year, just getting to know the pro game and getting familiar with the guys was a big part of it. It just makes it so much easier to come in and get settled.
Sidney Crosby will face the Flyers for the first time on Oct. 14 at the Wachovia Center.

?Getting a little bit of pro hockey under your belt really helps,? said Richards. ?I think last year playing 15 games in the playoffs where it?s that much faster; hopefully I can roll that experience over into this year.?

They also have the benefit of being with one another every step of the way since they were both drafted by the Flyers in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

?We have been going through the same things over the past couple weeks and even years, and throwing ideas around each other,? said Richards. ?Last year, winning the Calder Cup together brings us together a little bit more, but it?s nice to have a guy around who goes through similar situations as you are.?

Regardless of the fact that the pair does have that extra experience, as well being two years older than Crosby, both acknowledge the fact that a friendly, yet intense, rivalry is a good bet to happen ? and fairly quickly. The Penguins come to Philadelphia for the first game between the teams on October 14 as the Flyers? fourth game of the season. The teams will play one another four times before Christmas.

Richards remains close friends with Crosby and welcomes the challenge, but knows that once the puck drops, it is all about getting the ?W.?

?I?ve talked to Sid a couple times over the past few months and we discussed it a little bit. It?s going to be fun. I think you always look forward to playing against a guy like that, because you know what he can do.

?He?s obviously a great player, and our friendship is pretty good, but on the ice it?s all business.?

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2111.asp)

swflyers25

9-07-05, 5:51 PM

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/story//13332.JPG

Flyers forward Simon Gagne and former Flyer and current 610 WIP morning show host Keith Jones served Rita?s Water Ice?s flavor of the day, Flyers Orange Crush Misto, to fans at their City Line Avenue location.

:p

swflyers25

9-08-05, 1:22 PM

Thursday, September 08, 2005
By ADAM KIMELMAN
Staff Writer

When Simon Gagne looks around the Flyers' locker room at Skate Zone in Voorhees, it's who he doesn't see that stands out to him.

No Mark Recchi. No John LeClair. No Jeremy Roenick. No Tony Amonte.

All veteran team leaders. All players expected to perform on the ice. All go-to guys when the media invaded after games and practices.

During his previous five seasons, Gagne sat quietly in his own little spot while other people dealt with the high expectations and the daily deluge of inquiries that went with them.

But Gagne isn't the skinny 19-year-old rookie who debuted with the Flyers in 1999. Taking off his sweater and pads after a scrimmage on Monday revealed a chiseled, 6-foot, 198-pound 25-year-old.

The new look compliments a new attitude. Rather than come and go quietly, Gagne said he's the guy who wants to be held accountable not just for his play, but for the results of the team.

"I can't be the kid under the radar. I have to take a little more responsibility than I did before," he said. "And I'm ready to do that. It's going to be a great challenge to put that extra pressure on myself."

It's a challenge first laid out by coach Ken Hitchcock after the 2004 playoffs ended.

"I think there's a certain stage in a player's career where they want more," Hitchcock said. "They want more responsibilities, they want to be a go-to guy, and he's at that point. He wants it now. Some guys don't want it.

"It's overwhelming at times, but he wants it."

Stints at Team Canada camps over the last few years have given Gagne the chance to watch and learn from established veterans. He said longtime Colorado captain Joe Sakic especially made an impact.

"You look at what he's doing before practice, what he's doing after practice," Gagne said. "I went to talk to him a few times and asked him what he's doing, and he's doing a lot of leg press and squats before practice. He said it feels like his legs are stronger when the games go on. That's something I would like to try this year."

Besides the national-team camps, Gagne said seeing all the new faces in the Flyers' locker room has given him the incentive to step up all facets of his play.

"This year it has to be a big season for myself and the Flyers, too," he said. "With the new guys we have, I have to (step up). That's my goal this year; I want to be one of the top players on the team."

Hearing Gagne say he wants a bigger bite of the leadership apple is just what team captain Keith Primeau was expecting to hear. Considering Gagne's six seasons with the Flyers is the third-longest on the team - behind only defensemen Eric Desjardins and Chris Therien - Primeau believes it's Gagne's time to step forward.

"I just sense with Simon he's ready to take on a bigger part of the leadership, the responsibility, be more important in the core situations, being a guy that when things don't go well, some of it should fall on his shoulders," Primeau said. "That comes with experience, age, maturity, personal self-confidence. Right now, he's carrying all those attributes with him." With the post-lockout rule changes and the opportunity to play on a line centered by Peter Forsberg, Gagne is primed to have his best season since posting career-highs of 33 goals and 66 points in 2001-02.

"I'm looking forward to having a chance to play with him and show what we can do," Gagne said. "If I have a chance to play with him, it's going to help me bring my game to where I want it to be."

-- -- --

The Flyers' charity game to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will be 7 p.m. on Sunday at Skate Zone in Voorhees.

Tickets cost $10. Fans also will be able to bid for autographed sticks, and have their picture taken with their favorite Flyer and Phantom.

NOTE:

Contact Adam Kimelman at akimelman@njtimes.com.

NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/flyers/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1126166835237390.xml&coll=5)

Primeau -- Captain
Gagne, Forsberg, Hatcher -- Alternate captains

swflyers25

9-08-05, 1:27 PM

By Tim Panaccio

Inquirer Staff Writer

Keith Jones and Peter Forsberg were standing outside the Capital Grille on Broad Street last weekend when four tourists, with cameras, walked by.

"This guy stops dead in his tracks and says to the group, 'That's Peter Forsberg,' " Jones recalled. "The look on his face - you'd have thought he had just seen the President or something."

Forsberg smiled broadly when asked whether he was recognized over the Labor Day weekend.

"I was walking around with Keith Jones, and I don't know if they recognized him or me," Forsberg said, laughing.

Jones, a former teammate of Forsberg's in Colorado and now a commentator for Comcast SportsNet, took the Flyers' newest center on a quick tour of Old City, Center City and Rittenhouse Square, where Forsberg is thinking of living. They also hit a few other spots - 32 Degrees, the Continental, and Swanky Bubbles.

"We went to some places, and from what I hear, this is a great sports town," Forsberg said. "People seem to be happy to see hockey back."

Jones wishes that more of the Flyers - all of whom live in South Jersey - would spend more time enjoying the city.

"I always thought that part of playing in Philly was being in Philadelphia," Jones said. "It's nice to see players hanging around downtown. They don't get to do it much during the season. In Peter's case, because he was a visiting player, the only part of the city he ever saw was his hotel.

"The impression I got this weekend was that he really liked what he saw in downtown. He seemed to enjoy the city."

Learning experience. Selected rookies and young players have been seated next to veterans in the Flyers' dressing room at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, Camden County, where the team has been working out.

It's no coincidence that defenseman Joni Pitkanen has been seated next to another defender, the veteran Derian Hatcher.

"We want players who are playing together on the ice to also be near each other in the room, where possible," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Joni will be playing with Derian, so he's sitting beside him."

Loose pucks. The Flyers will have four alternate captains this season, rotating two players at home and two on the road. Look for Hatcher, Forsberg and probably forward Simon Gagne, who has been moved to Hitchcock's leadership group, to wear A's... . Individual tickets for the Flyers' home preseason games - Sept. 24 vs. Washington, Sept. 27 vs. the New York Islanders, and Sept. 29 vs. New Jersey - will go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Wachovia Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations. Buyers also can call Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 and 570-693-4100 in Pennsylvania, 856-338-9000 in New Jersey, or 302-984-2000 in Delaware.

Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/12585723.htm)

swflyers25

9-08-05, 11:43 PM

Shawn P. Roarke / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 2 hours ago

Dave Schultz doesn't believe his career as a hockey player was a joke, but that doesn't stop him from presently soliciting laughs at his own expense.

Now 55 and more than two decades removed from his tenure as the biggest bully on Philadelphia's legendary "Broad Street Bullies" team, Schultz has leveraged his hockey fame to embark on a new career as a motivational speaker.

"I used to only do maybe four or six or eight speaking things a year," says Schultz, who also owns a limousine company in the Philadelphia area and runs a sports memorabilia business. "I'm hoping to get up to 50 to 80 (engagements) a year. Obviously, I 'm still developing my talk, but also materials to market myself."

His enthusiasm for this new endeavor is such that Schultz even took a comedy class to help bolster the material at his disposal. That class allowed Schultz to further refine his natural sense of self-deprecating humor.

"There's two facets to public speaking," explains Schultz. "One is to be kind of entertaining. The other is to be motivational. I eventually want to have more of a motivational talk, as well as be entertaining. I don't want to be a stand-up comedian, I want to be a comedic speaker and there's a difference between the two.

"Taking that comedy class really helped. I haven't put as much time and effort into learning how to write jokes. When I talk, for the most part, I make fun of myself, about different things in the game. Things anybody can relate to, but more so, I guess, if you are a hockey fan, or more so if you followed my career."

Schultz's eight-year career was short by today's standards where many players have been able to forge careers lasting 15 years or longer. Schultz's heyday was even shorter, encompassing mainly the four-year stint he spent with the Flyers to open his NHL career.

But, during those four years in Philadelphia, Schultz accomplished enough to make himself a permanent part of the city's sporting landscape. He also laid the foundation for what would prove to be a life-long affiliation with hockey in one form or another.

He has coached in various minor leagues and he has signed on as an owner in yet another league. Today, he still remains involved as the president of the Flyers' alumni association. He is also planning other hockey-related ventures going forward.

All of those opportunities were made possible by his tenure as the Flyers' main source of mayhem during the championship run.

From the start of the 1972-73 season, when he joined the NHL full-time, through his trade from the Flyers to the Los Angeles Kings to start the 1976-77 season, Schultz was omnipresent in the City of Brotherly Love. His rough-and-ready style, as well as his devastating punching power ? hence the nickname "The Hammer" ? played to rave reviews in a city that revels in its image as a tough town.

From the moment he joined the Flyers, Schultz was ready to take on all comers ? no matter their size or pedigree. He quickly became the embodiment of the no-holds-barred style that would propel the franchise to its greatest glories.

In 1974, the Flyers marched to their first of back-to-back Stanley Cups. Schultz was in the vanguard, registering 20 goals and 349 penalty minutes. In 17 postseason games, he added 139 more minutes in the box. The next year, Schultz compiled a personal-best 472 minutes ? which still stands to this day as the NHL record ? as the Flyers defended their title.

After returning to the finals the next year ? only to lose to Montreal ? Schultz was shipped to the Kings as management began the breakup of the team many believed had reached its peak two years earlier. That was the beginning of the end for Schultz as an active player. He kicked around for a few more years with short stays in L.A., Pittsburgh and Buffalo. But, quickly, the life of top heavyweight in the NHL became a tough one to endure. Suddenly, everyone looking to make a name wanted a piece of "The Hammer."

Schultz admits he spent many a gameday thinking about potential challengers in that night's game. It was ? especially on nights he played traditional rivals like Boston's Terry O'Reilly ? a stressful existence. One he tired of as his career moved forward.

"It was pretty nerve wracking, I guess, thinking about it and preparing," says Schultz. "It was just something that I felt I had to do to have success at that level, so I did it."

And, he has never apologized for making a living with his fists. Not that he should. Schultz knows that he served a valuable purpose for his team and his teammates during the NHL's wilder days nearly a quarter century ago.

"There is an absolute and unbelievable purpose for fighting in hockey," he says, arguing for its place even in the new-look NHL to debut come October. "I'd argue that with anyone. They got it mixed up. The media turns it around, as well as others. There's a purpose.

"They're forgetting what the game was based on. You can't run and hide, you can't run off the field. Some of the cheap shots, aargh! ... We took care of that on our own. People want to see that. It's not that they want to see a fight. They want to see retribution by the players and they don't see that anymore.

"Let's talk about the injuries in a hockey fight. Usually one of the two players gets his feelings hurt. Of course, I say in my speeches that I would like to apologize for all the feelings I hurt during my career."

That's just one example of the humor Schultz now easily finds at his own expense as he makes the transition from landing body shots to trolling for belly laughs.

Fox (http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/4851728)

swflyers25

9-11-05, 1:25 PM

By Tim Panaccio

Inquirer Columnist

John Wayne never knew hockey. Still, the Duke was the original "shootist" in Western lore.

Well, move over, pardner. There's a new shootist in town, and his name is Patrick Sharp.

When the NHL resumes play this fall, the league will use a shoot-out to settle ties after five minutes of overtime.

Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock says he needs to put a couple of snipers on the ice every night. So, Hitchcock will have designated "shootists."

Look for Sharp, Joni Pitkanen and Jon Sim to be among the group of hired guns. They did well last season for the Phantoms in shoot-out situations, with Sharp and Pitkanen hitting more than 70 percent and Sim about 55 percent.

"It's exciting," Sharp said. "Every time we have chance to have a shoot-out, I want to be a guy shooting. It's a good start. It's nerve-racking, a lot riding on the shot, but I like that. I don't want to be the guy sitting on the bench."

Sharp doesn't have set moves; he relies on gut instinct depending on what the goaltender gives him to shoot at.

What are the requirements for this job? Foremost, Hitchcock says, he wants players who chew on ice cubes, those who will jump at the chance to hop over the boards, pick up the puck at center ice, and win a game.

"First, it's somebody who wants to do it" and is calm under pressure Hitchcock said. "Whatever his move is, it is. It has to be someone who... can score when there are 18,000 sets of eyes, plus players watching him. Look, some guys don't want it. Other guys relish that responsibility. We have a leg up on three or four Phantoms who are very good at it."

Sharp seems to thrive on the pressure.

"There are two ways to look at it," he said. "You can go out there and think if you fail, it is all on your shoulders. Or you can go out there thinking, 'I can be the hero,' which is how I view it.

"I like the spotlight. I like giving my team a chance to win, and I'm lucky enough to have had success. I don't think there is a formula to beat the goalie other than to force him to make a save."

At the end of every Flyers practice in training camp, Hitchcock will have shoot-out and breakaway drills. Eventually, he will prepare a list of designated shooters.

Sharp, Pitkanen and Sim are already on the list, with Sharp having the edge as No. 1 going into training camp, which opens Tuesday.

"There is going to be attention paid in drills and practice to this," Hitchcock said. "A lot of that is going to be looked at pretty seriously. We've had conversations with Phantom coaches on who is good at it, what their percentages are, who is best at the start vs. the end. We know all that stuff already."

Here's an idea: How about a TV ad campaign featuring Sharp going down the ice on a breakaway with a voice-over saying, "The shootist will be appearing at the Wachovia Center this fall."

Depleted Devils

It was a fait accompli that the Devils would lose Scott Niedermayer to free agency. But when Scott Stevens was declared healthy after a serious concussion during the 2003-04 season, it was assumed he'd be back. This week, he retired, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and leaving the Devils' vaunted defense that much less vaunted.

"Obviously, it's a shock right now to hear," teammate Scott Gomez told the Associated Press. "You knew that day would come. We all thought Scotty would be back... . I'm a little bit shocked because he announced something, but at the same time he didn't play the second half of the year."

Goaltender Martin Brodeur was equally stressed out upon hearing the news.

"We got used to not having him around," Brodeur said. "We really have a sense of what it's going to be like without Scott Stevens. At the same time we're going to have to learn about life without Scott Niedermayer, too."

Flyers captain Keith Primeau called Stevens "a fierce competitor" who won't be missed in Philly. "He's a winner," Primeau said. "You can see by his track record... . I know from firsthand experience after playing New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs that they're a great team, they're always a great team, they're always well-prepared. There was just a different feel without Scotty there."

Quotable

Boston's Glen Murray was asked during an NHL conference call about losing line mate Mike Knuble to the Flyers: "We lost a big part of our team. He was part of the line I played with. I think he's a big guy in the dressing room, and Philly is getting a quality guy."

Loose pucks

The fourth annual Mike Condon Memorial Golf Tournament will take place Oct. 10 at White Oaks Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Mike Condon's Children's Educational Fund... . The Nashville Predators have offered the NBA's New Orleans Hornets 12 game dates at the Gaylord Entertainment Center... . Don't be alarmed if the first few preseason games are total chaos, with 30 to 40 penalty minutes per team, as players and coaches get used to the new rules and the crackdown on obstruction. Said Toronto's Mats Sundin: "Hopefully, the referees are going to stick to the instructions, that they're going to get rid of the hook and holding through the neutral zones. We'll see more speed in the game. You know, we'll have to wait and see."... NHL officials gathered Thursday near Buffalo to spend a week preparing for the rules changes... . For a look at what is and isn't a penalty this season, log on to www.nhl.com and download the eight-minute video with new rules czar Stephen Walkom... . Best wishes to veteran NHL linesman Kevin Collins, who retired recently after working more than 2,200 games during a career that spanned 28 years. Collins never looked as old as he was, which is why some people might be surprised to learn that his first NHL season was 1977... . Finally, what were the odds that Stevens would retire before Eric Lindros?

Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/12611822.htm)

swflyers25

9-11-05, 1:28 PM

BY CHUCK GORMLEY / Special to The News Journal
09/11/2005

There was a time during the dark, final days of the Eric Lindros era that the Flyers' image of being a first-class organization was in tatters.

The feud between Lindros and general manager Bob Clarke had become so deep and so personal that players outside the organization jokingly wondered who was holding the keys to the asylum in Philadelphia.

Today, four years removed from the Lindros era, the Flyers are recognized around the NHL as one of the most attractive teams in the league.

"I don't think a player can ruin the image of a team," said Flyers defenseman Eric Desjardins, who lived through the Lindros era and is beginning his 11th season with the Flyers. "I think it's more who is on top and how they treat people.

"You talk around the league and there aren't many guys who treat their players like Clarkie and [team chairman Ed] Snider. If you respect them, they'll respect you."

Desjardins said there are NHL teams who cut corners on hotels and air travel and meal money, and it affects team morale.

"That's one thing they don't do here," he said. "You can't find a better practice and workout facility than what we have here."

As a result, the Flyers will open training camp Tuesday with Peter Forsberg, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje on their roster, three of the most coveted players in a free-agent market overflowing with star players.

Why has Philadelphia become such an attractive destination?

"It's quality of life," Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. "The players already know the building is full, the building is loud, the fans are knowledgeable, the organization is committed to winning and the practice facility is second to none. Players talk about that stuff all the time."

Players also tend to follow each other's lead. It is no coincidence that Forsberg decided to sign with the Flyers two days after Hatcher and Rathje agreed to contracts.

"What caught me was the team," Forsberg said. "They have a couple young great players coming up. They have big boys, skill guys, a good coach, an organization that wants to win and a good city. They've got everything."

Now, Hitchcock has to figure out how to make it all work.

In the 16 months since the Flyers last played a game on May 20, 2004, they completely renovated their roster.

Gone are 13 players who participated for the Flyers in the 2004 playoffs -- forwards John LeClair, Mark Recchi, Jeremy Roenick, Tony Amonte, Alexei Zhamnov, Todd Fedoruk, Radovan Somik and Claude Lapointe, defensemen Vladimir Malakhov, Marcus Ragnarsson, Mattias Timander and Danny Markov and goaltender Sean Burke.

They have been replaced by a blend of defensive size (Hatcher, Rathje, Chris Therien), offensive grit (Mike Knuble, Turner Stevenson, Jon Sim), youthful enthusiasm (rookies Jeff Carter and Mike Richards) and a Calder Cup-winning goalie (Antero Niittymaki).

And, of course, Forsberg.

Clarke began reshaping the Flyers shortly after the 2003-04 season by signing Knuble and Stevenson. Knuble (6-foot-3, 228 pounds) scored 52 goals for Boston over two seasons before netting 26 goals in Sweden last season.

Stevenson (6-3, 220) won a Stanley Cup ring with the Devils in 2001, and his 14 goals for New Jersey in 2003-04 marked the highest offensive output of his career.

Clarke saved his best work for this summer when, after losing an entire season due to the lockout, he signed Hatcher and Rathje, along with Therien, who will compete with Dennis Seidenberg for the sixth defensive spot.

Hatcher is sidelined because of a left knee sprain and is expected to miss the first two weeks of training camp. He also will miss the first three games of the regular season while serving a three-game suspension issued during the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Once he returns, he is expected to be paired with Joni Pitkanen, who is coming off an uneven season with the Phantoms but could blossom alongside Hatcher.

Rathje is expected to see time with Kim Johnsson, and Desjardins and Therien could be reunited as the Flyers' third defense pairing.

Up front, Forsberg will center a top unit with Simon Gagne on his left and perhaps Carter on his right. Richards could center a second line with Knuble on his left and Patrick Sharp on his right. Keith Primeau may anchor a third line with Donald Brashear on his left and Sami Kapanen on the right.

That leaves Michal Handzus in the fourth center spot, with Stevenson and Branko Radivojevic or Sim as his wingers.

Of course, all of that may change over the next three weeks as the Flyers play seven preseason games from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1.

Quick note, Handzus will not be 4th line center. I think the writer is talking out loud.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/SPORTS04/509110322/1002/SPORTS

Newfie John

9-11-05, 1:38 PM

You mean thinking out loud?

swflyers25

9-11-05, 11:34 PM

From "Wannago19" at Flyerphans:

black team: Rathje, Sharp, Sim, Gagne, Carter, Radio, Cote, Stevenson, Seidenberg, Jones, Voce, Beauchemin, Meyer, Kavanagh, Desjardins, Esche, Skolney, Gratton, Cook, Grant, Eager, Printz and someone named Marco Caprara.

orange team:Johnsson, Therien, Ready, Chouinard, Richards, Umberger, Knuble, Kapanen, Primeau, Handzus, Niittymaki, Storr, Wood, Ruzicka, Picard, Pitkanen, Slaney, Abel, Meloche, Ruggeri, Hope, Brashear and Brent Kelly.

also listed on the camp roster they handed out, but not playing tonight were Brent Robinson, Martin Houle, Mathieu Brunelle and Marc Cavosie.

The PA system in there was terrible but I think the goal scorers for the black team were Sim, Eager and Gagne. For the orange team Ryan Ready scored two, Primeau one, the other two I believe were scored by Kapanen and Pitkanen(although both might have been Sami). Antero and Esche both looked solid. Beauchemin struggled a bit and so did Storr.

They played three periods. The first two the clock was kept running during stoppages and there was no intermission. There was a short intermission between the second and third and it seemed that they randomly stopped the clock during the third also.

I wish I could tell you that certain players stood out in this scrimmage. But most seemed to be just going through the motions out there. If I had to pick the three stars it would be 3. Niittymaki 2. Kapanen 1. Ready

http://www.flyersphans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46036

From ZZeke at O&B.net:

See any interesting line combinations (or line pairs) and defensive pairings? Certain pairings may indicate that Hitchcock has talked with Primeau who organized the game.

Black Team

Sim - Carter - Sharp
Gagne - Radivojevic - Eager
Gratton - Kavanagh - Stevenson
Cote - Voce - Grant
Caprara

Seidenberg - Desjardins
Rathje - Meyer
Jones - Skolney
Cook - Printz

Esche
Beauchemin

Orange Team

Ready - Primeau - Kapanen
Knuble - Richards - Meloche
Brashear - Handzus - Chouinard
Kelly - Umberger - Ruzicka

Murphy
Abel
Kelly

Therien - Johnsson
Pitkanen - Wood
Slaney - Hope
Ruggeri - Picard

Niittymaki
Storr

Orange Team beat the Black Team 5-3.
(It was 3-3 in the 3rd period, and we were hoping for a tie and a shoot-out.)

Goal Scorers:

1) Ready (Orange) on Beauchemin
2) Pitkanen (Orange) on Beauchemin
3) Stevenson (Black) on Storr
4) Primeau (Orange) on Beauchemin
(great pass from Kapanen)
5) Sim (Black) on Storr
(nice pass from Carter)
6) Eager (Black) on Storr
7) Ready (Orange) on Beauchemin
(nice pass from Richards)
8) Kapanen (Orange) on Beauchemin
(a rocket shot upper corner stick side)

Some Observations:

- The game was very limited hard hitting
- The 2 referees did not call the interference, continious clock running on all whistles
- There was only one penalty: Umberger for tripping
- Eager was running orange team players
- Ruzicka played somewhat rough including throwing some elbows
- Marco Caprara (LW) looks like 5' 5", but is very quick
- Grant was messing with Brashear on the boards, constantly pushing him and holding his stick, not a good idea. Brashear finally glared at him and Grant released.
- Defenceman Picard was impressive. He plays with poise and control. He's cool.
- Richards did some great forechecking, stole the puck, had a breakaway, and was stoned by Esche
- Both starting goalies (Esche and Niittymaki) were hot. They only played the first period which ended in a scoreless tie.
- Pitkanen was flying end-to-end and created
- In the only power-play, the 2 forwards in the PK units were:
Richards - Brashear
Handzus - Knuble

- The SkateZone arena was overflowing with people.

- The players were very fan friendly. At Primeau's direction, during intermission before the third period, he had one of the rink doors opened, gave Carter and Richards each a marker, and sent them out among the fans to sign autographs. Then Primeau went to the other rink door, had it opened, and he went out among the fans and signed autographs.

- The coolest jersey in the arena was worn by wannago19. She rocks.

O&B (http://www.orangeandblack.net/phillyboard/showthread.php?t=14724)

swflyers25

9-12-05, 11:23 AM

By Tim Panaccio

Inquirer Staff Writer

The Ice Men are almost back.

Fifty-three players will report this morning to the Skate Zone in Voorhees, Camden County, as the Flyers and Phantoms go through their physicals in preparation for tomorrow's official opening of training camp.

The bad news is that neither Peter Forsberg nor Derian Hatcher will be on the ice.

Forsberg will undergo surgery this morning at Pennsylvania Hospital to remove a painful bursa sac on his right ankle. He suffered the injury during summer workouts in Sweden.

Forsberg is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.

Hatcher will miss all of camp as he recovers from a sprained ligament in his left knee.

Hatcher drove his SUV and trailer to the Philadelphia area this weekend from Michigan. If there was one positive, he was not wearing a brace, and the swelling in his knee has gone down.

"I don't think it's that bad," said Hatcher, who was hurt last week during U.S. Olympic team workouts.

The injuries have only slightly muted the enthusiasm of camp.

"It's an exciting start to the season," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We're excited. We're curious... . More than anything, we are prepared. This is the first camp I have ever coached where you know within a player or two where your team will be, based on the [salary-cap] formula."

Jeff Carter was to have played right wing on Forsberg's line with Simon Gagne. He will now center Gagne and Patrick Sharp. Hatcher was to have been paired with Joni Pitkanen on defense. Chris Therien will now fill that role, Hitchcock said.

Two players will benefit immensely. R.J. Umberger will get a longer look at center, while Freddy Meyer may get more time in exhibitions on defense.

Last night, the Flyers and Phantoms played an intrasquad scrimmage at the Skate Zone to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"Tonight was great," winger Mike Knuble said. "It was a charity game for a good cause that helped people and it was played at a good pace. It was great to get something like this in to help the cause."

Loose pucks. The sold-out game raised $7,500 in ticket sales alone for hurricane victims... . Some players signed autographs between the second and third periods... . Al Morganti's Team Orange beat Keith Jones' Team Black, 5-3.

Contact staff writer Tim Panaccio at 215-854-2847 or tpanaccio@phillynews.com.

Philly.com (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/12620934.htm)

swflyers25

9-13-05, 2:04 PM

http://www.thn.com/upload/image/photo/1043.jpg

God I can't wait until opening night. :)

swflyers25

9-13-05, 2:32 PM

With the opening of camp, they are really back (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15200601&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18170&rfi=6)

At last, the Flyers are ready to skate (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/12628915.htm)

Chemistry experiment (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-09132005-540609.html)

After shuffling, Flyers like mix (http://www.nj.com/flyers/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/112659912657920.xml&coll=5)

swflyers25

9-13-05, 2:58 PM

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050913/capt.patm10209131843.flyers_return_patm102.jpg
Printz is a big boy...

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050913/capt.patm10109131840.flyers_return_patm101.jpg
This will be a familiar sight, someone beating Therien

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050913/capt.patm10309131840.flyers_return_patm103.jpg

swflyers25

9-14-05, 9:42 AM

http://cmsimg.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BZ&Date=20050914&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=509140362&Ref=AR&Profile=1017&MaxW=250&

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

By CHUCK GORMLEY
Courier-Post Staff

VOORHEES

It seems more than just a little ironic that Mike Knuble was given the locker stall John LeClair occupied since the day the Flyers opened their swank training center in 1999.

Like LeClair, the Flyers' new left wing skated in relative obscurity until he was placed with a mammoth, playmaking center and blossomed into a goal scorer.

And like LeClair, Knuble now faces the question of whether he can still be productive while playing in a different uniform with different linemates.

"I think it's a stretch to think I'll put up 50 goals like he did," Knuble said. "But I'd like to see myself in a role where I'm counted on to score goals."

Knuble's career took a decided upswing in the 2002-03 season when, as a 30-year-old member of the Boston Bruins, he was promoted to a line with Joe Thornton and Glen Murray because of an injury to Sergei Samsonov. And while the Thornton-Murray-Knuble line was not quite as dominating as the Legion of Doom line of Eric Lindros, Mikael Renberg and LeClair, it was one of the most explosive units in the league for two full seasons.

"What they've done to my career is amazing," said Knuble, whose goal totals jumped from eight in 2001-02 to 30 the following season and 21 the next. "Playing with them opened doors I never thought would open for me.

"I was a fourth-line guy just going out there trying not to make mistakes. Sometimes you need some people believing in you and Joe (Thornton) became very demanding. It was career-saving stuff that happened in Boston and it allowed me to come to Philadelphia."

Knuble's rebirth paid off in July 2004 when the Flyers awarded him with the richest contract of his career, a three-year deal worth $6 million.

"The Bruins had different (cost-cutting) orders from the top," Knuble said. "The Flyers came calling and they were one game away from the Stanley Cup finals. I wanted to get on board."

At the time, the Flyers still had LeClair, Mark Recchi, Tony Amonte and a host of other veterans who became victims of the NHL's new salary cap.

Realizing he had reached the prime of career at age 32 and knowing he couldn't afford an entire year off, Knuble agreed to play in Sweden during the lockout and recorded 26 goals in 49 games. He said the experience legitimized his reputation as a goal scorer and earned him an invitation to the U.S. Olympic team camp last week in Colorado Springs, where Team USA general manager Don Waddell described Knuble as the most confident player in camp.

In his first official practice as a Flyer on Tuesday Knuble was moved from his natural right side to the left, where he's likely to skate behind Simon Gagne as the Flyers' No. 2 left wing.

Knuble opened training camp on a line with rookie center Mike Richards and newly-acquired right wing Turner Stevenson. But Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said Knuble could wind up playing on a line with center Keith Primeau and right wing Sami Kapanen; or with center Michal Handzus and right wing Branko Radivojevic.

"He's a really smart player who kind of grows on you," Hitchcock said. "He's always in the right place at the right time and he's solid everywhere."

As for the comparisons to LeClair, Hitchcock said the two are similar in size but have different attributes as goal scorers.

"John would put his stick in the crease and you couldn't lift it," Hitchcock said. "Mike plays on the (faceoff) dots. Mike finds pockets and he can score from (20 feet). He shoots rockets. We've got to find people to get him the puck."

Loose pucks: Donald Brashear and Stevenson played with an edge in the first scrimmage of training camp. Brashear threw three thunderous body checks and Stevenson cut the bridge of his nose with a glass-rattling check. . . . The first scrimmage of training camp ended in a 2-2 tie and was decided by a shootout. Jon Sim, who could make the team as a 13th forward, scored the only goal of the six-player shootout, beating Phantoms goaltender Jamie Storr between the pads. Antero Niittymaki stopped Handzus, Eric Chouinard and Mark Murphy. Patrick Sharp and Jeff Carter also failed to convert on their shootout breakaways. . . . When Peter Forsberg returns from an infected bursa sac in his right ankle, he's likely to center a line with Carter and Gagne. Carter, the club's only right-handed center, will play right wing. He'll take faceoffs on the right side of the ice, while Forsberg takes draws on the left side. Reach Chuck Gormley at cgormley@courierpostonline.com

Courier Post (http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/index.html)

swflyers25

9-14-05, 9:55 AM

By Tim Panaccio

Inquirer Staff Writer

As a youngster growing up in Pittsburgh, R.J. Umberger fantasized about what it would be like to wear a Penguins sweater.

"Part of me always wanted to a Penguin," Umberger said. "Any kid wants to play in his hometown. It would have been childhood dream to play alongside Mario Lemieux. But the bigger dream was playing in the NHL."

Yesterday, as the Flyers opened training camp at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, Umberger was among the 52 Flyers and Phantoms players.

The 23-year-old would have a legitimate chance to make the NHL team if only he weren't a center. The Flyers already have five centers, including veterans Peter Forsberg, Keith Primeau and Michal Handzus.

"All I can do is my best, and whatever happens, I can't control," Umberger said. "What I can control is how hard I work."

Umberger joined the organization more than a year ago as a free agent out of Ohio State. He was an impact player on the Phantoms' Calder Cup championship run last season with 21 goals and a team-high 65 points, playing mostly on a line with Jon Sim. Sim might be a key to his sticking around.

Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock uses pairs of forwards on every line. For instance, Primeau and Sami Kapanen are a pair. Forsberg and Simon Gagne will be a pair when the former returns from right ankle surgery. Sim and Umberger are a familiar pair.

"We're going to take these pairs into exhibitions and see what they look like," Hitchcock said. "Umberger and Sim, [Patrick] Sharp and [Jeff] Carter are pairs. Why mess around with good chemistry?"

The coaching staff has told the 6-foot-2, 213-pound Umberger to use his size to hang onto the puck longer.

"We want him to play like Handzus and Primeau do, where you hang onto the puck and protect it," Hitchcock said. "For me, [Umberger] is a very intriguing player. He comes from a year off from college, does not play, comes into the American Hockey League and has good year, then comes in here and looks like a hell of a player."

That's where Sim comes in. He was the recipient of many a good pass from Umberger last season. Sim had 61 points (35 goals) as a Phantom.

"We work pretty well off each other," Sim said. "Some guys get together and it's natural chemistry. R.J. has to show Hitch he can play both ends of the rink. That was my problem when I was younger."

Added Umberger, "I love passing the puck. The biggest part of my game is seeing the ice, using my size and moving the puck, which is where Jon comes in because he's always open to shoot."

That was the case yesterday during an up-tempo scrimmage in which Umberger's line, including winger Josh Gratton, displayed some spark.

The longer it continues in camp, the better Umberger's chances.

"Maybe the best path to the NHL for me is through Philly," Umberger said with a smile.

Loose pucks. Look for OLN to announce this week that former Flyer Bill Clement has been hired as one of two studio hosts for NHL games this fall.

Mike Richter, Neil Smith and Pierre McGuire are finalists for the other in-studio anchor spot.

Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/12637638.htm)

swflyers25

9-14-05, 9:59 AM

Therien glad to be 'home'

Defenseman returns to Flyers with new attitude

By ED MORAN

morane@phillynews.com

SITTING IN the center of the Flyers locker room talking about the weekend football games, Chris Therien was as familiar a site for the opening of a fall training camp as the minor league kids walking around wide-eyed.

For the past 11 seasons, Therien was a staple in the dressing room. From the time he was a kid playing under coach Terry Murray right through his final season as a Flyer in 2003-04, Therien was big, loud, center stage and loving every minute.

But this was a season that almost wasn't for Therien.

Traded for two draft picks to the Dallas Stars in March 2004, amid a sea of bad blood between himself and coach Ken Hitchcock, he seemed to have no chance of ever starting another camp as a Flyer.

Still, there he was yesterday, slim, fit and as excited as any of the players from the team's AHL affiliate to be wearing a black jersey with a Flyers logo on the front.

"This is a great experience for me," the veteran defenseman said. "I'm more excited this time around than I have ever been. This has worked out great. This is going to be really good."

Considering how his Flyers' tenure ended and the experience of playing so far from where he made his home and started his family, it's no surprise Therien is happy.

When Therien was traded, Hitchcock was as down on the defenseman as a coach can get.

About a month before the trade, the Flyers, claiming they had too many defensemen, decided to send Eric Weinrich to St. Louis, opting to keep Therien.

But the coaches thought that instead of raising his game in return, Therien stopped caring and began slipping, as both a player and a teammate. So instead of keeping him, the Flyers shipped him to Dallas.

"In all honesty, I didn't like his dedication to his teammates and the organization," Hitchcock said. "I didn't think that Chris was as dedicated as we would have liked. And that's always irritated a guy like me.

"Now, you don't want to ever say a guy is a different person, but I see a guy that's really got a permanent look at the difference between having fun in all angles. He's having fun in the locker room, but he knows it's business once he hits the ice."

Hitchcock never said anything publicly in 2004 about his feelings for Therien, but Therien was pretty open about how he felt.

"I was so miserable the last couple of years here, so down on hockey, it was a blessing to be moved," Therien said after Dallas was eliminated from the 2004 playoffs.

They were not the words of someone who hoped to come back again.

Then came the 301-day NHL lockout and time for reflection.

Therien has made South Jersey his home since he came to the Flyers; he started a family here, and being away was not easy. He also missed his friends.

With the passage of time, his feelings changed toward Hitchcock, and when he got the chance, they had some long talks about what happened.

Then as the hockey season slipped by, Therien became a free agent and the Flyers fell into a need for defensemen.

Therien explored the opportunity and found he had a lot of support among former teammates and coaches, particularly Murray.

Under Murray, Therien matured as a player and excelled. There were rough spots; Murray once benched him for several weeks.

But once paired with Eric Desjardins, the two drew every team's top line. It stayed that way through several coaches. Therien's size and reach allowed him to swallow up some of the NHL's best scorers.

Given the chance to get him back, Murray jumped.

"When you look at a player like Therien, that has size and can skate and has a pretty good idea of how to play the game, those guys are hard to find," said Murray, now an assistant coach under Hitchcock. "He's a good player to have back in our organization."

Murray also sees the change that Hitchcock sees and knows that Therien brought the trade to Dallas on himself.

"That was his own fault," Murray said. "It wasn't anything to do with the coaching staff. Coaches love players who want to come and play and play every night. We don't get mad at players for no reason, and Chris got himself in a little bit of a rut and didn't stay on top of himself, and his game did slide.

"So with the change that happened with him going to Dallas and coming back and being very happy to be back with the Flyers, sometimes there's a critical point in everybody's career that says, 'I have to do something different' and it looks like he has."

So now, Therien, who left as the city's longest-tenured athlete, is back and fighting for a spot somewhere in the regular rotation. He's part of a deep defensive group. Given the combination of young talent and free-agent signings, he might not make it any higher than the seventh defenseman.

But who's to say.

"I want to make the best out of myself that I can. I'll use my experience," Therien said. "I'm not going to relegate myself to saying I'm going to be the four, five, six, seventh guy.

"I want to come in and have the attitude that I'm going to be the best I can be. I expect the best from myself and to work as hard as I can no matter what my situation is here. I really excited to be back, and that's really the big thing."

Daily News (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/12639424.htm)

Madferret

9-14-05, 10:07 AM

Therien's home is Ottawa..

;)

swflyers25

9-14-05, 10:09 AM

Short shots

Defenseman Derian Hatcher is recovering from a mild knee sprain but is expected to be back on the ice in a few days. ... Coach Ken Hitchcock said he plans to have his roster finalized as early as Sunday. He was impressed with the level of play of several bubble players likely ticketed for the Phantoms. "The thing that stuck with me was the competitiveness of the players that were with the Phantoms last year,'' he said. "The tempo was so high today, you would be hard-pressed to keep it going for four straight days.'' ... Hitchcock would like to get Hatcher into a few preseason games because the defenseman is scheduled to serve a three-game suspension at the start of the regular season (for an '04 incident) and the coach doesn't want a long gap of inactivity. ... Ex-Phantoms Jeff Carter and Patrick Sharp were paired together in the morning scrimmage.

Knuble article (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-09142005-541112.html)

swflyers25

9-15-05, 10:11 AM

By WAYNE FISH
phillyBurbs.com

VOORHEES - Patrick Sharp could run for president of the "Hey, the NHL Lockout Wasn't Necessarily So Bad for Everybody" Club.

He'd probably win in a landslide.

Sharp finished the '04 season as a regular on the Flyers roster, but always had one eye looking over his shoulder.

He did compete in 12 Stanley Cup playoff games, yet averaged only about six minutes a contest.

In other words, he wasn't an impact player.

Then came the season-long NHL lockout. Sharp headed back to the AHL Phantoms, made the move from center to right wing flawlessly and helped lead a merry ride all the way to a Calder Cup.

Fast forward to the current Flyers camp. Suddenly, Sharp is now being looked at in an entirely different light.

Instead of worrying about a job, the 23-year-old Thunder Bay, Ont., native is more caught up in how big a contribution he can make this season.

To date, he's posted only five goals and seven points in 44 NHL games. If you listen to coach Ken Hitchcock, all that is about to change.

"I think every player who played on that team is going to benefit from winning that championship,'' Hitchcock said Wednesday after the second day of training camp. "They found out how hard it was. They learned how to sacrifice.

"Patrick will tell you right now, he figured it out by having to pay an awful high price to win. He figured out in his mind that it's worth it. He's a confident guy that knows how to compete at a high level.''

With Peter Forsberg sidelined a couple weeks due to minor ankle surgery, Sharp is getting a chance to reunite with his Phantoms sidekick, Jeff Carter. That combination could see some time together this year, depending on the situation.

It shows just how much faith the coach has in Sharp - that he has the goods to take up some of the scoring slack left by the exit of John LeClair, Mark Recchi and Tony Amonte.

"I think [Sharp] thought he was going to have to bust it just to make the team to play on a regular basis,'' Hitchcock said. "Now he knows going in he's going to be a good player for us.''
Click here!

Sharp, 6 feet and 197 pounds, will be the first to acknowledge the extra year in the minors is bound to pay dividends.

"I understand it's training camp and things will change a hundred times,'' he said. "But [playing with Carter] lets me know that I'm going to be a part of the team and I can build on that.

"In '03-'04 I joined the team mostly due to injuries. I was basically day-to-day whether I would be up or down. This year I realize I'm going to be a part of the team and I'm excited to do whatever I can to help.''

The lockout provided the time necessary to get that confidence.

"The playoff run we had, it's something I wouldn't trade for the world,'' he said. "I feel more confident. I feel like I understand the game better and that experience should help me with the Flyers.

"I was able to play a significant number of games on the right side, which was a big plus for me."

Short shots

Hitchcock played movie mogul Wednesday, premiering for the media a video produced by the NHL which explains all the new rules involving obstruction and interference. The league has attempted to crack down on these game-slowing tactics before but always seems to come up short. Hitchcock said this time it's going to be different. "If you're a defending player and you have to kind of cheat to play, this [video] would be an 'Oh, my god.' If you're a guy who hooks and holds and doesn't move his feet, you're going to have a difficult time playing in the National Hockey League.'' ... For a second straight day, the Flyers completed the workout with shootout drills. Shootouts will be critical because a number of tie games will be decided this way. "It's going to be very important to work on the shootout in practice,'' said Simon Gagne, likely to be one of Hitchcock's top five shooters on a nightly basis.

Wayne Fish can be reached at 215-949-4215 or wfish@phillyBurbs.com.

Philly Burbs (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-09152005-541599.html)

swflyers25

9-15-05, 5:31 PM

http://images.comcast-spectacor.com/flyers/homepageMainStory/13421.JPG

Right Place, Right Time for Knuble

Flyers winger makes the most of his chances

by Kevin Kurz, philadelphiaflyers.com

For complete training camp coverage, click here.

Voorhees, NJ ? With the splash that the Flyers made in the free agent market early last month, it?s almost easy to forget that the team has added a number of other players that could prove to be just as important to the team as they prepare for the beginning of the season.

One of those players is right wing Mike Knuble, who signed with the Flyers in the summer of 2004, but is just now beginning to adapt to his new teammates and surroundings. Knuble is coming off of his two best NHL seasons by far, totaling 59 points in 2002-03 and 46 points in 2003-04. He then spent all of last year in Sweden during the NHL work stoppage and finished with 26 goals and 13 assists for 39 points in just 49 games.

Flyers fans could be pleasantly surprised with Knuble despite being seemingly
lost in the shuffle of other new additions, such as Peter Forsberg, Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje and rookies Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. In reality, Knuble could be one of the best-suited Flyers to adapt to the new rules changes, as many of them were already in place while he was playing abroad last season. Hopefully for the Flyers, his experience will translate into a fast start for the 33-year old Toronto native.

?I saw the lockout as a chance to broaden my game a little bit and play a different style of game,? said Knuble. ?It?s different over there. It?s not like one is better than the other, but it was just a different way to play the game and a different way to see the game. Now, as a result of the lockout, they brought a lot of the rules and I?ve seen a lot of the things that I played under there last year being played in the NHL this year.?

Knuble?s recent career success was due mainly to his taking advantage of an opportunity that was presented to him while he was in Boston. Known mainly as a third or fourth line winger at the time, the Bruins? Sergei Samsonov missed most of the 2002-03 season after undergoing wrist surgery. Knuble was thrust into the top line, playing alongside Joe Thornton and Glen Murray, and he immediately began to produce. His success continued into the 2003-04 campaign before he became a free agent and signed a three-year deal with Philadelphia.

?Things went my way, and playing with Joe and Glen, they were able to trust me and not be selfish, and say ?who the hell is this guy, he can?t play with us,?? said Knuble. ?They took me in right away, and we all benefited. We all did well and had a terrific year. What they have done for my career is amazing.?

Knuble clearly enjoyed his new role in Boston, and learned to think about the game in a whole new light.

?As a fourth line guy, you?re not really sure what?s going to happen, so you approach games a little bit different,? he said. ?You go out there and try to not make mistakes, and do the best you can in your short amount of time. When you are thrust into a different role, you have to stay with it whether things go good or bad right in the beginning. You know that the two other guys on your line are offensive and demanding in their play. Joe became very demanding in his play, and that?s good. It makes you become a better player when people are demanding more.?

When Knuble signed with the Flyers last summer, it would have been impossible to predict what would have gone on with the NHL?s labor negotiations, let alone the Flyers? roster. He was prepared to accept a little bit of a lesser role in Boston, but now, with the departure of players such as John LeClair and Mark Recchi, he could be relied upon once again to put the puck in the net.

?I was prepared to have maybe a little bit of a lesser role with some of the guys they had here,? said Knuble. ?As a result of everything that has gone on, and with a salary cap, some higher paid guys are gone and there is a big change on the team. Maybe the roles of some guys will be different. Maybe I wasn?t slated to be in a scoring role so much when those guys were around, but now with the changes, maybe I?m back there, I don?t know.?

FLYERS NOTES
The Flyers will leave for their first preseason game on Friday afternoon, as they charter to London, Ontario to face the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at the John Labatt Centre. ? Individual game tickets for the Flyers? 41 home games go on sale Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ? The Flyers will be holding an open house for anyone interested in full season packages and game plans on Monday, September 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and also 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call the Flyers at (215) 218 ? PUCK (7825).

Flyers (http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/trainingCamp/archive/2127.asp)