Quick Hits: June 17, 2020
1) Flyers center Sean Couturier has been working out daily at the SkateZone in Voorhees since the start of Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan on June 8. After Tuesday's session, Flyers senior director of communications Zack Hill (serving as a pool reporter in lieu of media access during Phase 2) interviewed Couturier about the ongoing small-group sessions, the quest to generate momentum when games resume, and the center's candidacy for the 2019-20 Selke Trophy.
"First, it's nice to be out there and get some some ice. You know, get back familiar with the practice facility. Obviously, it's not easy being asked to be put into groups of five six out there. The drills are a little tougher and it's tough to go for, for for long practices. But it is what it is. We're adapting ourselves and getting ourselves ready to resume to play," Couturier said.
Couturier was asked if he felt of his preparations before and early into Phase 2 were compare to a typical offseason. Specifically, have things been similar to what players typically undergo in the weeks leading up to training camp before a new season.
"I think it's different for sure. There's so many unknowns. [Normally] there wasn't any question; set dates to when we were coming back, around what day training camp starts and you're getting ready for an 82 game season. Whereas, now, you didn't really know if we're going to resume the season, jump into the playoffs or just can go and get ready for next season. There was a lot of unknowns, a lot of adaptation within the training and staying in shape and getting ready for it to resume. But is what it is. Everyone's in the same situation, so it's just important to take responsibility and be ready," Couturier said.
In regard to his chances of winning the Selke Trophy this year after finishing as the top runner-up two seasons ago, Couturier admitted that it would be special to him if he won but also did not want to dwell on it.
"Just to be considered as obviously already a great honor," Couturier said. "I think it's a trophy that awards players that are solid in all areas of the game. It's something I tried to take pride of in my game before. You know, offensively but also defensively, take pride in that side of the game. It definitely would mean a lot if I'd win. But just to be mentioned with the other guys for that award, it's already pretty flattering."
2) In today's edition of Flyers Daily on the Flyers Broadcast Network, Jason Myrtetus interviews Flyers center Kevin Hayes.
3) The next "Flyers Alumni Decade" program is set for tomorrow night (June 18) at 8 p.m. ET on the Flyers Alumni's YouTube page. Join hosts Bill Clement and Jim Jackson along with panelists Reggie Leach, Bob "the Hound" Kelly, Terry Crisp and Joe Watson as they discuss the Flyers' successful quest to defend the Stanley Cup. The team silenced any critics who called their 1973-74 championship run a fluke.
Leach, acquired from the California Seals during the 1974 offseason, rejoined former Flin Flon Bombers linemate Bobby Clarke and notched 45 regular season goals and eight more in the playoffs in his first season with Philadelphia. Kelly, who was unavailable for the 1974 Stanley Cup Final due to a knee injury suffered in the previous round, went on to score the Cup-winning goal in the opening seconds of the third period of Game 6 against Buffalo. Clement added an insurance goal later in the period.
It's coming: "Flyers Alumni Decades: 1974-75"
— Flyers Alumni (@FlyersAlumni) June 16, 2020
Hosts: @BillClement10 & @JimJPhilly
Panel: Reggie Leach, Bob "the Hound" Kelly, @ZenofTerryCrisp, Joe Watson
Date: THU, June 18, 2020, 8 PM ET
Link: Flyers Alumni YouTube channel https://t.co/3j25ofwn8a@BradMarshNHL pic.twitter.com/nhil8Vp1Lr
4) Today in Flyers History: June 17, 1985
Drafted by the Flyers in the eighth round (167th overall) of the 1983 NHL Draft, Per-Erik "Pelle" Eklund was one of the biggest late-round steals in team history. The Flyers announced the signing of Swedish prospect on June 17, 1985. He inked a two-year deal worth $125,000 per season.
Before Jakub Voracek came along, Eklund reigned as the franchise's all-time leading point getter among European-born players. He spent eight seasons in Philly.
Eklund won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the Flyers' most valuable player during the 1990-91 season. He reached to 50-assist milestone three times during his Philadelphia career and topped 40 assists four times. He'd have reached those marks more frequently if not for numerous injuries, which prevented him from playing more than 55 games in any Flyers' season after 1990-91.
For his Flyers' career, Eklund had 452 points (118 goals, 334 assists) in 589 regular season games. He produced 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) in 57 playoff games, highlighted by his heroics in the 1987 postseason in general and the Stanley Cup semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens in particular when the silky Swede had five goals and seven points.
4) June 17 Flyers Alumni birthdays: Maxime Ouellet (1981), Brent Hughes (1943).