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Quick Hits: August 20, 2016
1) Kudos to SB Nation's Travis Hughes for finding out more about the Flyers' recent hiring of Dr. Ben Peterson (Ph.D.) as the organization's director of sports science. Essentially, the newly created position entails Peterson working with the coaches and trainers in the organization to develop regimens for players that reduce non-contact injury risks (groin/abdominal strains and tears in particular) and increase economy of motion. Peterson's YouTube video presentation, which includes research on the relationship between man games lost to injury and team win-loss performance over the long haul, the financial cost of injuries to NHL teams
2) Today in Flyers history: August 20
August 20, 1990: The Flyers hired Bill Dineen and Simon Nolet as scouts. Dineen later became the Flyers head coach. Nolet, a player on the Flyer' first Stanley Cup winning team, remains in the scouting department to this day, although his workload has scaled down in recent years. Nolet's most notable contributions have been as the Quebec-based scout who had the most pre-draft viewings of first-round draft selections Simon Gagne in 1997-98 and Claude Giroux in 2005-06.
August 20, 1997: Six days after the NHL permitted the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet to Tampa Bay Lightning restricted free agent center Chris Gratton, the player became a Flyer.
The Gratton offer sheet was for a five-year, $16.5 million contract, which included a $9 million signing bonus payable in seven days. The offer sheet was originally signed 10 days earlier, but the Lightning disputed its legality to the NHL. Tampa claimed the faxed copy they received from the Flyers was smudged and illegible. The Lightning then tried to trade Gratton to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The offer sheet was held up and reviewed by the NHL before being upheld. The trade was Chicago was not allowed under the rules of restricted free agency.
On Aug. 20,the Flyers worked out a deal in which the cash-strapped Lightning. Tampa Bay agreed not to match Philadelphia's offer sheet. Tampa received four first-round draft picks as compensation. The picks were immediately flipped back to the Flyers in exchange for Mikael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis.
August 20, 1999: Flyers 1998 first-round pick Simon Gagne signs his first professional hockey contract.
August 20, 2001: The Eric Lindros era officially came to an end in Philadelphia, as he was finally traded after a stalemate of more than a year. The former captain was traded to the New York Rangers for defenseman Kim Johnsson and forwards Pavel Brendl and Jan Hlavac.
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Flyers Alumni: 2016 Faceoff Against Cancer
The annual Faceoff Against Cancer fundraiser featuring the Flyers Alumni to directly benefit selected Delaware Valley cancer patients and their families will be held on September 9-10, 2016 at Hatfield Ice (350 County Line Road, Colmar, PA 18915). In addition to the new location the event has a new two-day format.
On September 9, there will be an all-day men's hockey tournament. The next day, the main event will be held from noon to 4 p.m., featuring food, on-ice and carnival games, live music, beer and prizes. At 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, the Flyers Alumni Team game will start.
Last year's event raised approximately $88,000 that was divided among its selected beneficiaries. All recipients are local cancer patients who have unpaid medical bills related to cancer treatments and a connection to the local hockey community. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, and the proceeds will be donated directly to pay for their medical expenses.
For more information on tickets, donation, schedules, sponsorship and the list of prizes available this year, visit FaceoffAgainstCancer.net.
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