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Quick Hits, 2018 Charity Classic

May 16, 2018, 7:33 AM ET [389 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
QUICK HITS: MAY 16, 2018

1) The Flyers annual Development Camp is scheduled to be held from June 28 to July 2. With the exception of the annual Trial on the Isle in Stone Harbor, all events will take place at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. The dates were moved up this year compared to past camps. In the past, the camp typically began in early July.

2) Calder Cup playoffs: Phantoms coach Scott Gordon said on Monday that it is not a question of "if" top pairing defenseman Travis Sanheim and AHL most valuable player Phil Varone will be able to play in the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Marlies but a matter of when. Sanheim, who is reportedly dealing with a left MCL strain after taking a knee-to-knee hit in Game 1 of the second-round series against the Charlotte Checkers, has already resumed skating.

3) Gordon noted that Toronto brings a different sort of challenge than Charlotte. Stocked with additions from the parent Carolina Hurricanes, the Checkers entered the second round with arguably the most fearsome offensive attack in the AHL. Toronto, who had the top record in the league during the regular season, brings excellent two-way balance and strong goaltending in addition to an ability to put the puck in the net.

4) IIHF World Championships: Belarus finished winless (0-7-0) after a 7-4 loss to Slovakia on Tuesday. Flyers wing prospect Maksim Sushko recorded an assist in a losing cause.

5) IIHF World Championships: Radko Gudas (one assist, +6 in seven games) and Team Czech Republic will play Team USA in the medal round quarterfinals on Thursday.

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2018 Flyers Charity Classic

The 2nd annual Flyers Charity Classic will take place on July 15, 2015. There have been some changes this year -- new bike routes, staggered start times, the creation of a Flyers Alumni Team, more entertainment and Fanfest activities, etc. -- but the basic setup is the same. As with last year, the event is sponsored by Toyota.

The Charity Classic is a city-wide event incorporating a 5k walk/run through the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a 10-mile family bike ride through the Navy Yard and FDR Park, and two bike rides – a 50K and a 100K – spanning the sights and sounds of Broad Street, through historic Valley Forge Park leading back through MLK Drive to the Wells Fargo Center Complex.

In addition to the Classic, families of participants and fans alike will have all-day access to the Flyers Fan Fest: family-friendly outdoor games, inflatables, street hockey, food and more. After-party live entertainment will be provided by Chico's Vibe.

The biggest participating team last year, both in terms of number of participants and funds raised, was the Ides of Marsh, captained by Brad Marsh. An avid long-distance cyclist, Brad and members of his family will be doing the 100k bike ride again this year. However, there will be team members taking part in all of the different events and everyone will be together later in the day for the after-party.

Last year, I did the 5k walk/run as an Ides of Marsh member and, thanks to the generosity of my HockeyBuzz readers, family members and friends, raised $425. I also lost weight over the summer getting ready for it. This year, my wife is also planning to take part with me in the family 5k, and our goal is raise money than last year as well as to lower my 5k finish time from last year (although the events are strictly for enjoyment, not a competition).

The Flyers Alumni Team, as with the Ides of Marsh, is open to the public to join and there will be able opportunity for fans to interact with their favorite Alumni during the day, even if they participate in a different event.

With more names to come, the confirmed participating Flyers Alumni Team members to date are as follows: Danny Briere (family 5k walk/run), Terry Carkner (family 10-mile bike ride), Bob Clarke (5k walk/run), Doug Crossman (5k walk/run), Paul Holmgren (100 k bike ride), Kerry Huffman (5k walk/run), Joe Kadlec (5k walk/run), Bob "the Hound" Kelly (5k walk/run), Ian Laperriere (100k bike ride), Neil Little (family 10-mile bike ride), Jim McCrossin (100k bike ride), Bernie Parent (family 10-mile bike ride), Dave "the Hammer" Schultz (5k walk/run) and Joe Watson (family 10-mile bike ride).

Fans can also sign up for a team captained by Flyers Hall of Fame inductee Brian Propp. Brian's group is called Team Guffaw.

All proceeds raised from registrations and team fundraising benefit Flyers Charities and the Flyers Alumni Association and the various non-profit organizations they support throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. The Flyers Alumni component will be donated toward the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation's goal to build a new rink in the Delaware Valley for use by the Snider Hockey kids.

In terms of individual fundraising, there is an escalating scale of rewards offered:

$50 – Flyers ball cap.

$200 – pair of upper of level tickets to a Philadelphia Flyers hockey game for the 2018/19 season + Flyers ball cap.

$400 – pair of lower level tickets to a Philadelphia Flyers hockey game for the 2018/19 season + Flyers ball cap.

$1,000 – pair of Flyers tickets in the Alumni Party Suite, a Flyers jersey autographed by the Flyers Alumni + Flyers Ball Cap.

The game tickets will be for a mutually agreed upon Philadelphia Flyers home game in October of the 2018/19 season.

There is also a team fundraising incentive component, with Flyers Charities offering donations to a charity of the participating team's choice. More information is available here.
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