Vigneault Discusses Return to Play Plan
Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault spoke via conference call from Quebec with members of the local media. A full synopsis will appear tomorrow morning on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. Below is are quick snippets of major points from Vigneault's media session.
* Player physicals will take place on January 3. On-ice work will start on Jan. 4.
* Vigneault anticipated months ago that there would not be any exhibition games before the start of the regular season. In October, he traveled to Philadelphia to meet with Ian Laperriere and teleconference with Mike Yeo and Michel Therrien to map out a plan for an eventual training camp.
* There will be a large-scale emphasis on scrimmages during the brief camp before the start of the regular season on Jan. 13; even more than during the July camp before the team reported to the Bubble in Toronto for the round robin and Stanley Cup playoffs. For much of the upcoming camp, there will be a 45-minute practice, followed by a scrimmage.
* Vigneault said that the nature of the schedule -- a lesser number of games (56) but condensed into a shorter period of time (May 8 end date to the regular season) -- means that depth is vital. There will be a lot of players who are not on the opening night starting lineup who figure to get a chance to play during the season. It will be up to each player to make it tough for the coaching staff to remove him from the lineup. At the same time, Vigneault admitted that it will be tougher than normal for players on the opening night bubble to have an extended look before opening night due the shortened training camp.
* Most players on the camp roster are now in Voorhees. The others are expected to arrive shortly after Christmas.
* Oskar Lindblom, whose recent scans revealed that he remains cancer-free, is doing fine and should be good to go for opening night.
* Nolan Patrick is in Voorhees, skating and working out. The plan for determining his readiness for the season will be determined after his physical on Jan. 3 and evaluated as he gets into contact drills and up-tempo practices.
* Vigneault said that, based on where players live, access to gyms or rinks may have varied widely during the offseason. However, players were aware of this from the get-go, and had a fitness and nutrition plan. Every player will be expected to be in top shape for camp as there is no time for anyone to play themselves into shape.
* On a personal level, the fall and early winter have been tough for Vigneault because he has been unable to visit either of his parents. This is both due to the ordinances in Quebec and for practical reasons. Alain's mother, who is battling dementia, is now in a care facility. His dad has also been unable to visit his mom.
WJC Exhibition Games Canceled
The IIHF has canceled the pre-tournament exhibition games that were slated for the days before Christmas. NHL Network ran alternate programming last night in place of the USA vs Switzerland and Finland vs. Czech Republic friendlies, including a documentary segment on the effects the 1918 influenza pandemic affected the NHL.
Flyers Alumni 12 Days of Christmas: Days 10 and 11
On Day 10 the Flyers Alumni's 12 Days of Christmas Giving program, Kerry Huffman presented a $1,500 check on behalf of the Flyers Alumni Association to the Bucks County Housing Group. Pictured in the photo with Huffer are Madeleine “Maddie… Burgess, who works at the charity, and Tim Edbrooke, who introduced Kerry to the work BCHG does to assist those in need in Bucks County.
“My son and I have helped out on some local food drives here in Bucks County,… Huffman said. “Bucks County Housing Group operates a community food pantry and also does a really great job especially pertaining to young single mothers and families who need assistance. With everything going on this year with the pandemic, the need for donations and volunteers has never been greater.…
Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG) is a 501(c)(3) organization that works to advance the interests of people with low to moderate-low income and people in crisis through assistance with affordable housing and related social services. BCHG has also partnered with Philabundance to incorporate healthy food and education in its community food pantry.
12 Days of Christmas: Day 10@Khuffman5 presented a $1,500 check on behalf of the Alumni to the Bucks County Housing Group. BCHG operates a community food pantry and assists low to low-moderate income individuals & families with affordable housing.https://t.co/r4lj8CoTQa pic.twitter.com/Bbf2RGVCzO
— Flyers Alumni (@FlyersAlumni) December 21, 2020
On Day 11, at the suggestion of Flyers Alumni left winger Shjon Podein, the Flyers Alumni have donated $1,500 to Community Food Response in his hometown of Rochester, Minnesota.
CFR is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization that serves adults and families with children in need, many of whom do not qualify for other forms of food assistance.
Clients can receive food after registering with CFR and obtaining a CISS identification card issued by CFR and other county agencies. Clients must sign up for this card at their first visit and bring this card each time they visit. No one is turned away, however, and clients don’t have to provide financial or employment information to qualify for this program or receive free meals to take home or eat elsewhere. During the pandemic, CFR is distributing pre-filled bags outside of their building at Bethel Lutheran Church in order to maintain social distance.
The food CFR distributes is donated by local restaurants, cafeterias, businesses and grocery stores. In addition to helping people in need, CFR helps reduce the amount of food waste generated by area businesses.
“Like so many communities around the U.S., my hometown of Rochester has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. With so many people hurting financially and a hunger crisis developing as people try to both keep a roof over their families’ heads and food on the table, our local food banks need help in keeping up with the need," Podein said.
"I suggested to the Flyers Alumni that we assist Community Food Response in Rochester as part of the 12 Days of Christmas, and the Alumni came through with a generous donation. But the need is ongoing, and I know CFR would greatly appreciate the support of hockey fans everywhere. Also, on behalf of my family and me, I wish everyone reading this a safe, peaceful and happy holiday season and new year."