Quick Hits: August 10, 2018
1) In Hlinka Gretzky Cup action today, Finland plays Switzerland at 2 p.m. EDT, undefeated Russia plays Sweden at 5 p.m. EDT, the Czech Republic opposes Slovakia at 6 p.m. EDT, and the most anticipated match, Canada vs. USA, starts at 9 p.m. EDT. Highly touted 2020 Draft first-overall selection candidate Alex Lafreniere has posted six points through three games, as has 2019 Draft-eligible Russian forward Vasili Podkolzin, 2019-eligible Canadian forward Ryan Suzuki and pint-sized 2020 eligible Russian forward Daniil Gushchin.
2) Flyers fan Andrew Mantzas started an online petitition for the Flyers to put legendary public address announcer Lou Nolan in the Flyers Hall of Fame in similar fashion to how the late Dave Zinkoff, the longtime 76ers public announcer ("FromtheUniversityofMassachussets, a six-foot-6 forward, the 'Doctah', Julius Errrrrrrrrrrrving"), has a "microphone" banner hanging in the Wells Fargo Center.
Lou, who has worked for the Flyers in different capacities from the time of the team's inaugural season in 1967 and has been its public address announcer since the Cup-winning Broad Street Bullies days, is still going strong. At some point, I would suspect the team will honor him with a banner similar to The Zink's, although I don't know when that will happen. Since Lou always emcees the ceremonies for the various figures the Flyers honor, it would be kind of neat to see someone else emcee on the night Lou himself would be honored.
3) August 10 Flyers Alumni birthdays: Jesse Boulerice (1978), Sam Gagner (1989), Greg Hawgood (1968).
4) Today in Flyers History: One Aug. 10, 1977, the Flyers hire Pat Quinn for his first coaching job; an assistant under Fred Shero.
August 10 in Flyers history: On Aug. 10, 1977 the Flyers hired recently retired longtime NHL defenseman Pat Quinn as an assistant coach. Photo here is of Pat, Terry Crisp, Bob McCammon and Danny Belisle with Hockey Hall of Fame coach Fred Shero during training camp. pic.twitter.com/ZLBR20v9d2
— Flyers Alumni (@FlyersAlumni) August 10, 2018