QUICK HITS: JULY 26, 2017
1) Recently treated for a facial abscess, Flyers 2017 first-round pick Nolan Patrick is now back on the ice. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native took to the ice for a training session in his hometown. After undergoing sports hernia repair surgery in June, he will not be ready to participate in the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase for Team Canada but will be ready for the Flyers' training camp in September.
2) Former Flyers assistant captain Mark Streit has signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Montreal Canadiens; the same team with whom the Swiss hockey icon broke into the NHL in 2005-06 and originally drafted him in 2004. Now 39 years old, Streit will likely be a sixth or seventh defenseman and power play specialist for the Habs. His signing puts the Montreal future of 38-year-old unrestricted free agent defenseman Andrei Markov in doubt.
3) Over on the Flyers' official website, there is an article looking at Anthony Stolarz's offseason rehab and outlook for next season. Today, there will be a feature on his Lehigh Valley Phantoms goaltending partner, Alex Lyon.
While admitting that he dislikes playing in a shared-time arrangement, Lyon said that he knew even before choosing the Flyers organization among multiple entry-level contract offers in the spring of 2016 that there would be competition with Stolarz for playing time. Lyon said that he viewed it as opportunity to elevate his game and potentially use it as a springboard to an NHL opportunity.
4) Congratulations to Flyers Alumni defenseman Terry Carkner for being named the new head coach of the Junior Flyers 19U Girls Team. He will work with Tom Norton, Chris Baer, Allie Rothman and Jenn DeJesus. "Carks" has previous girls' hockey coaching experience at the 12U, 14U and 16U age levels.
I grew up watching Terry as a player with the Flyers and other NHL teams and always appreciated his hard-nosed and hard-working style of play. I never knew him as a person, however, until the Flyers Alumni Team's trip to Russia earlier this year. Terry is a modest, unassuming type with an ever-present dry sense of humor. He made every one on the trip feel like part of the team -- even a reporter who was brought along to chronicle the tour.
Even in spending just over a week around the Alumni Team, it was easy to see why teammates loved having Terry Carkner on their side and he was a favorite of most of his coaches. There was never a doubt that he would have their backs covered, and he was never a me-first type of player. He is not a rah-rah type but when he has something to say, it behooves you to listen.
I know this much: The Junior Flyers 19U Girls Team is in good hands. When the veteran of 858 NHL regular season games and 54 Stanley Cup playoff tilts commits himself to doing something, he puts his all into it. He played the game the right way and he understands the team dynamic.