Soon…

Hockey is coming! Just under three weeks until the puck drops for NHL regular season hockey and we’re kicking into full hockey mode.

We had the pleasure of attending rookie training camp last weekend and regular training camp this weekend.

 

The low down on Rookie Camp:

It was great to have a chance to see our up and comers during Rookie camp. As any Flyers fan would expect we had our eyes glued to Sam Morin, Scott Laughton, and Shane Gostisbehere. We’ll start with Morin and wow is he a BIG boy. He’s filled out since he was drafted…Lets just say I would not want that kid skating at me. And then there was Ghost….I have no words…he may not be a tower like Morin but that kid has legs. He is incredibly fast (guess we know why “ghost” is such a fitting nickname) and from what I can tell from camp/watching him play in the Frozen Four he’s got great hockey sense. I feel good about the Flyers defensive future if they can be patient, which seems to be something Hextall is preaching loud and clear. Scott Laughton looked solid…but I’m not going to lie I was mesmerized with the defensive prospects and probably did not pay my fair share of attention to our offensive prospects.

 

The low down on regular training camp/Meet the Flyers:

This weekend we spent today watching some rookies, randoms, and rostered Flyers at training camp. Obviously due to a “lower body injury” we did not see Captain Claude on the ice but we were able to see everyone else on the team that has a clean bill of health.  The team seemed to be in good shape and looked comfortable out on the ice. There was a little scare apparently Jason Akeson got caught in the neck by one of Coburn’s shots…he left the ice for a few moments and came back apparently unscathed. One new face stuck out in particular and that was Mr. Michael DelZotto…probably because we’re so used to booing him when wearing a Rangers sweater. He seemed to have a good rapport with the guys on ice and looked to be meshing well…guess we shall all find out soon enough how he fits in an actual game.  Today seemed to be business as usual- just a regular practice including some possession drills and a lot of skating just with a few missing faces. After the practice they filmed the annual “Meet the Flyers” special  (Meet The Flyers” will debut on the Comcast Network on Thursday, September 25 at 9:30 p.m.) which was filmed in Skate Zone’s third rink. It was about an hour long and all of the guys said a little something. We were on the side where Therien was interviewing players so we got a close up view of the backs of DelZotto, Grossmann, Coburn, and some other guys….very exciting stuff guys.

In other news the Flyers first preseason game is Monday September 20th which will be a split squad game. We will be in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center and we could not be more excited…preseason or not it’s still hockey! We are in the works of some big things this year so stay tuned! Thanks for reading and as always….

GO FLYERS!

Leave it to Bylsma….

to ruffle my feathers and really PISS me off.

“(Letang) kind of had the play there and the puck on his skate to try to score a goal. It fell off his stick and the whistle and everything ensued after that. Yeah it does, a guy picking on a guy who had a stroke.”-Dan Bylsma

Are you serious guy? If you’re worried about your player getting shoved in the game of hockey then maybe he shouldn’t be playing. Hockey is a physical game as we all know and if Bylsma doesn’t think Letang is ready to get roughed up maybe they need to talk it out. The best part of the whole ordeal is on twitter Bylsma stated the comment was absolutely tongue in cheek….because talking about strokes is a great time to make tongue and cheek remarks. Nice form coach….and I’ll be the one to say it…it’s too soon….it’s always going to be too soon when you’re making those type of remarks about your OWN players health. However I will give Chief props on his response and I personally share his sentiment, “He shouldn’t be out there playing, bottom line. It’s a stupid comment.” Even Letang himself said “It’s part of the game.”

 

I don’t like Letang, he’s gorgeous, but I don’t like him-however I would never want someone to suffer any serious injury or health issue because of a game. I wish him good health but as Bylsma himself said in 2012 after we kicked some Pittsburgh ASS  “I really can’t wish them good luck.” I feel the same bro…

although I do think my favorite part of this video is Wayne Simmonds

Check out this article for the full story.

 

 

 

why the NHL>MLB,NFL and everyone else

The NHL announced a partnership with you can play, maintaining their stance hockey is for everyone. In hockey your sexual preference will not hold you back, talent is talent…and the NHL sends that message loud and clear by partnering with You Can Play. You Can Play champions gay athletes, straight allies, all teaming up for respect. NHL partnering with them is groundbreaking in the world of professional sports. I am so proud to be a hockey fan amidst all the turmoil in the fight for equal rights for all sexual orientations. I am so glad a renowned professional sports league has nutted up and partnered with you can play and it makes me so happy the NHL was the first to do so.

 

NHL way to go. Much respect, much love.

 

Learn more at http://youcanplayproject.org