Quick Hits: December 12, 2020
1) As expected, there will be three Flyers prospects representing their national teams at the upcoming 2020-21 IIHF Under-20 World Championship tournament (AKA the World Junior Championships) in Edmonton. Defenseman Cam York (Flyers 2019 first-round pick) and winger Bobby Brink (Flyers 2019 second-round pick) are returnees to Team USA. Defenseman Emil Andrae (Flyers 2020 second-round pick) is a first-time member of Team Sweden's national under-20 team after previously captaining Sweden's national under-18 squad.
Flyers 2020 first round pick Tyson Foerster and Flyers 2019 fourth-round pick Mason Millman did not receive spots on the final roster for Team Canada.
Team USA opens the tournament on Christmas Day with a game against Russia, while Sweden begins on Boxing Day against the Czech Republic.
2) Flyers Alumni 12 Days of Christmas Giving: Day 2, Busansky School Toy Drive
Bob "the Hound" Kelly's wife, Stacey, was a longtime 2nd grade teacher at the Samuel Busansky Elementary School in Pemberton, NJ. Stacey, who is now retired, and Bob have both been actively involved over the years in the school's annual toy drive to buy holiday presents for the students.
On Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, the Kelly family presented a $1,500 check to the school on behalf of the Flyers Alumni Association. The money will be used to support the holiday toy drive.
"We've been involved with the toy drive for, I think, 14 years. In the early years, we bought and donated some presents ourselves. But we;ve moved onward and upward since then, because we can offer more help this way. Many of the students are from lower-income families, and they are appreciative of the Christmas presents. This can be a rough time of year for kids from lower-income families, and this year has been very challenging for a lot of families," Bob Kellly explained.
The Flyers Alumni 12 Days of Christmas Giving: Bob "the Hound" Kelly presents a $1,500 check to the Samuel Busansky Upper Elementary School (Pemberton, NJ) to support their holiday toy drive. Hound's wife, Stacey, was a longtime teacher at the school. @BradMarshNHL pic.twitter.com/tTZswgNG9R
— Flyers Alumni (@FlyersAlumni) December 13, 2020
3) Flyers legend Bernie Parent, dressed as Santa Claus, will meet guests and pose for photographs at the Snider Hockey Holiday Hut in the Mistletoe Marketplace at the Winter on Broad Street Holiday Light Spectacular at Wells Fargo Center on Monday, December 14; Tuesday, December 15; and Wednesday, December 16 from 5:45 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.
Bernie Claus will pose for photos or sign an autographed photograph behind a table and socially distanced from visitors for a minimum donation of $10 with all proceeds benefiting the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. Snider Hockey is also selling light-up ornaments and registering visitors for an autographed Claude Giroux jersey.
The Winter on Broad Street event is being held in the Wells Fargo Center lots and runs through January 3, 2021. Tickets are available at WinteronBroadStreet.com.
4) Today in Flyers History: December 13
1974: Power play goals by Reggie Leach and Rick MacLeish, sandwiched around an even strength goal by Bob "the Hound" Kelly lifted the Flyers to a 3-2 road win over the pesky Atlanta Flames. MacLeish's game winner came with 1:33 left in the game, making a winner of goaltender Bernie Parent (21 saves). Future Flyers goalie Phil Myre made 35 saves in a losing cause. 1979: The Flyers extended their unbeaten streak to 25 games (18-0-7) with a 6-4 win at the Spectrum over the Quebec Nordiques. Two goals apiece by Bill Barber (three-point game) and Reggie Leach lead the way for Philly, while Dennis Ververgaert and Al Hill (empty net) added some insurance. 1987: Murray Craven's shorthanded goal at 14:26 of the third period rescued a 4-3 road win for the Flyers in Winnipeg after the club was unable to protect a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame. Peter Zezel, Derrick Smith and young defenseman Kerry Huffman also scored for the Flyers.
1995: The Flyers acquired right winger Trent Klatt from the Dallas Stars in exchange for former "Crazy Eights" line member Brent Fedyk. Klatt, a native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, who won the coveted "Mr. Hockey" distinction during his high school career before attending the University of Minnesota, formed a highly effective Flyers third line as he joined fellow Gopher State natives Joel Otto and Shjon Podein, not surprisingly dubbed "The Minnesota Line."
2005: Peter Forsberg capped a shift in which he controlled the puck for a full 15 seconds by scoring a wraparound goal as he skates around from behind the net. Jeff Carter and Sami Kapanen also scored in the 3-1 road win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. 2014: Flyers 2012 first-round pick Scott Laughton earned first-star honors in a 5-1 home win over the Carolina Hurricanes as he scored his first career NHL goal and also picks up an assist. Steve Mason turned aside 25 of 26 shots.