Quick Hits: August 19, 2021
1 Earlier this morning, I completed a two-part article that provides a player-by-player preview of the Flyers' upcoming Development Camp. In addition to explaining why certain players are not available for camp (NCAA players, for example, as well as pro players who are no longer on entry-level contracts), we run down the 2021-22 preseason outlooks for the attendees at camp. Part 1 looks at the forwards in camp. Part 2 examines the defensemen and goaltenders. Look for the series to run next week on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com ahead of the Aug. 28 start to the Development Camp.
2) Additionally, in the next few days, I will complete a feature article for the Flyers site on new goaltender Martin Jones. Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher has mentioned several times this offseason that much of Jones' save percentage struggles the last couple seasons were tied to the San Jose Sharks penalty killing execution, which made life tough on all of their goalies. It is true that Jones' comparative even-strength save percentage (.906) last year was better than either Carter Hart or Brian Elliott last year. Jones' .837 save percentage with the Sharks on the penalty kill ranked 40th in the NHL. Hart (.783) ranked 47th.
3) The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are slated to play four preseason games before the start of the 2021-22 regular season. The exhibition schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, Oct 6 @ WBS 7:05 ET Saturday, Oct 8 vs WBS 7:15 ET Sunday, Oct 9 @ HER 5:00 ET Wednesday, Oct 13 vs HER 7:15 ET
4) Earlier this week, the ECHL's Reading Royals announced that they have renewed their affiliations with the Flyers and Phantoms for the 2021-22 season. The Royals, along with the rest of the teams in their division, opted out of participating in the 2020-21 ECHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5) The annual Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp gets underway tomorrow at the Class of 1923 Arena at the University of Pennsylvania. This year's coaches are Ian Laperriere and John LeClair for Team Toyota, Bill Barber and Mark Howe for Team River Rock Academy, Danny Briere and Keith Jones for Team Yuengling and the trio of Dave Poulin, Joe Watson and Brad Marsh for Team New Balance. Tomorrow night, after the first day of on-ice activities, there will be a catered BBQ at Marsh's home in South Jersey.
6) Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the untimely passing of Hockey Hall of Famer and Flyers Alum forward Dale Hawerchuk after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 57.