swflyers25
12-02-05, 1:38 PM
By WAYNE FISH
phillyBurbs.com
VOORHEES - He peeked in through the doorway to the Flyers' change room, but there was no way Phantoms head coach John Stevens was going to cross that imaginary line to greet some of his former players at their lockers.
Stevens was down at the other end of the Skate Zone to fulfill a request to have his picture taken with a bunch of the players who helped him win the Calder Cup last June.
But, like a father who watches a son leave home for the first time, Stevens wasn't about to show any outward emotion. His boys have become men right before his eyes and that was enough to provide some private moments of gratification. Eventually there were smiles, handshakes and mutual good tidings.
This was the scene yesterday afternoon as the man responsible for sending 12 players to the Flyers this year took it all in at the NHL side of the building.
It's scary to think where the Flyers might be this season if not for the magic Stevens performed during the NHL lockout. Think about it:
* He helped transform Joni Pitkanen from a quiet, unsure defenseman into a confident, outgoing impact player.
* Reinvented 28-year-old Jon Sim by restoring his work ethic and making him accountable every night.
* Got goaltender Antero Niittymaki to play a more aggressive style, leading to his MVP selection in the Calder Cup playoffs.
* Accelerated the maturation process of prospects such as R.J. Umberger, Ryan Ready and Ben Eager.
* Developed the consistency in Jeff Carter and Mike Richards that Flyers fans are now seeing every night.
Stevens' coaching style is an extension of the way he played the game. He was captain of the Phantoms squad which captured the 1998 Calder Cup.
That team overachieved, just as the 2004-05 version did. It's almost as if Stevens, who had his career cut short by an injury, was still shouting directions like a player from behind the bench.
Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock, a man who's been labeled pretty intense himself at times, said Stevens is every bit that and maybe more.
"The big thing with John is he's relentless in his coaching, getting players to do the right thing and play the right way," Hitchcock said. "I think that's why these players come up and they're very effective for us.
"John refuses to allow the players to cut any corners, doesn't cut them any slack if they're not doing the things he wants them to. Eventually, the players start to develop a mental toughness for competing. I think he's terrific at that."
Carter was already setting the junior ranks on fire when he arrived for the playoffs. But Stevens guided him to another level in a hurry.
"He was a huge help," Carter said. "Just getting to know the whole professional game, which is a lot different. He was great with us, sat down and went over everything. He made us (including Richards) really feel like part of the team."
Dennis Seidenberg already had played a season in the NHL but learned something from Stevens.
"To be more consistent," he said. "To be accountable. He expects you to perform well every night."
Added Richards, "He demands the best. When things aren't going well in the game, he tries to mix things up a bit. He's smart, he puts things out on the ice that people might not be expecting."
Stevens tries to deflect as much of the credit as possible.
"There's a very high standard to compete here," he said. "The work ethic, the things that are important to winning. We stress a lot of the same things the Flyers coaching staff does....
That's why our players are able to step in and play.
"Then it's not a big thought process (on the Flyers), like "What do I do? How do I play?' There's a continuity there and that's why you see the transition somewhat seamless at times."
He will allow that he's pleased by the way his players have been productive at the NHL level.
"It is gratifying," he said. "The message is clear. If you come down here, work hard and do the things the organization asks you to do, they're going to reward you with an opportunity to play."
And reward the coach with the feeling of a job well done.
FLYING PHANTOMS
The 12 Phantoms who have played for the Flyers this season:
Jeff Carter: Two shorthanded goals tied for NHL rookie lead.
Ben Eager: Flyers like his physical style of play.
Randy Jones: Impressive season interrupted by appendectomy.
Antero Niittymaki: An 8-2-1 mark in starts with Flyers.
Joni Pitkanen: Fourth in NHL defense scoring with 22 points.
Ryan Ready: Highly competitive player nagged by groin injury.
Mike Richards: Eighth in first-year player scoring and a plus-10.
Dennis Seidenberg: Still on the upswing when healthy.
Patrick Sharp: Coming off goals in back-to-back games.
Jon Sim: After bouncing around minors, on pace for 25 goals.
Wade Skolney: Adds franchise depth to injury-prone defense.
R.J. Umberger: Already has two-goal game and likely to stay.
Phillyburbs.com (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-12022005-578449.html)
phillyBurbs.com
VOORHEES - He peeked in through the doorway to the Flyers' change room, but there was no way Phantoms head coach John Stevens was going to cross that imaginary line to greet some of his former players at their lockers.
Stevens was down at the other end of the Skate Zone to fulfill a request to have his picture taken with a bunch of the players who helped him win the Calder Cup last June.
But, like a father who watches a son leave home for the first time, Stevens wasn't about to show any outward emotion. His boys have become men right before his eyes and that was enough to provide some private moments of gratification. Eventually there were smiles, handshakes and mutual good tidings.
This was the scene yesterday afternoon as the man responsible for sending 12 players to the Flyers this year took it all in at the NHL side of the building.
It's scary to think where the Flyers might be this season if not for the magic Stevens performed during the NHL lockout. Think about it:
* He helped transform Joni Pitkanen from a quiet, unsure defenseman into a confident, outgoing impact player.
* Reinvented 28-year-old Jon Sim by restoring his work ethic and making him accountable every night.
* Got goaltender Antero Niittymaki to play a more aggressive style, leading to his MVP selection in the Calder Cup playoffs.
* Accelerated the maturation process of prospects such as R.J. Umberger, Ryan Ready and Ben Eager.
* Developed the consistency in Jeff Carter and Mike Richards that Flyers fans are now seeing every night.
Stevens' coaching style is an extension of the way he played the game. He was captain of the Phantoms squad which captured the 1998 Calder Cup.
That team overachieved, just as the 2004-05 version did. It's almost as if Stevens, who had his career cut short by an injury, was still shouting directions like a player from behind the bench.
Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock, a man who's been labeled pretty intense himself at times, said Stevens is every bit that and maybe more.
"The big thing with John is he's relentless in his coaching, getting players to do the right thing and play the right way," Hitchcock said. "I think that's why these players come up and they're very effective for us.
"John refuses to allow the players to cut any corners, doesn't cut them any slack if they're not doing the things he wants them to. Eventually, the players start to develop a mental toughness for competing. I think he's terrific at that."
Carter was already setting the junior ranks on fire when he arrived for the playoffs. But Stevens guided him to another level in a hurry.
"He was a huge help," Carter said. "Just getting to know the whole professional game, which is a lot different. He was great with us, sat down and went over everything. He made us (including Richards) really feel like part of the team."
Dennis Seidenberg already had played a season in the NHL but learned something from Stevens.
"To be more consistent," he said. "To be accountable. He expects you to perform well every night."
Added Richards, "He demands the best. When things aren't going well in the game, he tries to mix things up a bit. He's smart, he puts things out on the ice that people might not be expecting."
Stevens tries to deflect as much of the credit as possible.
"There's a very high standard to compete here," he said. "The work ethic, the things that are important to winning. We stress a lot of the same things the Flyers coaching staff does....
That's why our players are able to step in and play.
"Then it's not a big thought process (on the Flyers), like "What do I do? How do I play?' There's a continuity there and that's why you see the transition somewhat seamless at times."
He will allow that he's pleased by the way his players have been productive at the NHL level.
"It is gratifying," he said. "The message is clear. If you come down here, work hard and do the things the organization asks you to do, they're going to reward you with an opportunity to play."
And reward the coach with the feeling of a job well done.
FLYING PHANTOMS
The 12 Phantoms who have played for the Flyers this season:
Jeff Carter: Two shorthanded goals tied for NHL rookie lead.
Ben Eager: Flyers like his physical style of play.
Randy Jones: Impressive season interrupted by appendectomy.
Antero Niittymaki: An 8-2-1 mark in starts with Flyers.
Joni Pitkanen: Fourth in NHL defense scoring with 22 points.
Ryan Ready: Highly competitive player nagged by groin injury.
Mike Richards: Eighth in first-year player scoring and a plus-10.
Dennis Seidenberg: Still on the upswing when healthy.
Patrick Sharp: Coming off goals in back-to-back games.
Jon Sim: After bouncing around minors, on pace for 25 goals.
Wade Skolney: Adds franchise depth to injury-prone defense.
R.J. Umberger: Already has two-goal game and likely to stay.
Phillyburbs.com (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101-12022005-578449.html)