MELTZER'S MUSINGS: SEPTEMBER 6, 2015
1) Via information culled from Czech out
Nova Sport,
The Hockey News had an
inspiring story on Friday about how Flyers right winger
Jakub Voracek plans to donate $1,000 for each point he records in 2015-16 to a foundation he's created for the benefit of people with multiple sclerosis. The MS cause personally touches the star player's life because his older sister, Petra, was diagnosed with the insidiously debilitating condition two years ago.
The player, who signed a massive eight-year contract extension in late July and will make $4.25 million in 2015-16, said he has no qualms about the amount of money involved in funding the Jakub Voracek MS Foundation.
"Not even a minute [of hestitation]," he told
Nova Sport. "The idea is excellent. Professional athletes have so much money that they can afford it. I just hope we will raise more money [by others donating, too]."
Last season, Voracek posted 81 points. If he can match or exceed that total in 2015-16, it will be financial boon to the charity. Voracek left the Czech Republic on Thursday to head to the Philadelphia area. He will work out at the Skate Zone in Voorhees in preparation for the start of training camp on Sept. 18.
2) Flyers 2015 fourth-round pick
Mikhail Vorobyov enjoyed a dominating performance for Tolpar Ufa in the 2015-16 regular season opener for the MHL (Russian Junior Hockey League) club on Saturday. Vorobyov racked up three assists -- two even strength and one power play -- in a 6-0 win for the junior affiliate of KHL club Salavat Yulaev Ufa against Snezhnye Barsy (Barys Astana feeder team). Vorobyov went 6-for-12 on faceoffs and had two shots on goal.
3) Elsewhere in the MHL, Reaktor Nizhnekamsk, featuring Flyers 2015 seventh-round pick
Ivan Fedotov in goal, hosts Yastreby Omsk on Sunday. Both clubs will be playing their respective regular season openers.
4) Flyers 2015 third-round pick
Felix Sandström went the distance in goal in Brynäs IF Gävle's 3-2 preseason overtime loss to Allsvenskan team Almtuna on Saturday. Flyers 2015 fifth-round pick
Oskar Lindblom skated on the Brynäs first line but did not record a point.
5) The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have signed Flyers 2010 fifth-round pick
Michael Parks -- a recent graduate of the University of North Dakota, where he played for new Flyers head coach
Dave Hakstol -- to an American Hockey League contract for the 2015-16 season.
"Michael is a player who is most effective when he keeps his game simple," said Hakstol in July. "He was a good player four us. When he plays north-south and gets to the net, he is on his game."
Parks did not attend the Flyers Development Camp in July. For NHL rights purposes, he became a free agent in mid-August. However, without an NHL entry-level deal forthcoming this summer from the Flyers or another organization, the chance to prove himself at the pro level on an AHL contract became increasingly attractive.
***********
FLYERS ALUMNI FACE OFF AGAINST CANCER
On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Flyers Alumni Team will participate in the third annual
Faceoff Against Cancer at the Ice Works in Aston, PA. Last year, the Alumni's participation helped raised $145,891 for Delaware Valley families in need, with roughly $13,000 apiece going directly to 12 beneficiaries to offset some of the high financial burdens involved in the fight against various forms of cancer.
The Faceoff Against Cancer is an all-day event at the Ice Works complex, featuring a hockey tournament, live bands and other entertainment, on-ice and off-ice events, kid-friendly carnival games, a silent auction, raffles, prizes, food and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages are available at an additional adult admission price.
The highlight of the day is a game between the Flyers Alumni Team and a team of "All-Star" donors from the various participants. The game is slated to start at 7:15 p.m. EDT. Afterwards, for an additional $50 donation, event attendees can have dinner and a personal meet-and-greet with the Flyers Alumni players.
To purchase tickets for the 2015 Faceoff Against Cancer,
click here.
Even if you cannot attend the even in person, there's a variety of online donation options available. Donors can make a general donation to be split among all the beneficiaries or else they can make individual donations to go to the cancer patient beneficiary chosen by each of the participating teams. The beneficiaries come from a variety of different backrounds and ages -- some are pediatric cancer patients, some are the parents of young children, some are grandparents and one is a memorial fund.
For more information on all of the day's activities, bios on the beneficiaries and more, please visit the
Faceoff Against Cancer website. The cause also has a
Twitter account (@FACEOFFvsCANCER) and
Facebook page.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»