QUICK HITS: AUGUST 6, 2017
1) The 2017 World Junior Summer Showcase wrapped up on Saturday with rivalry games between USA and Canada as well as Sweden and Finland. Capping off what was a high-scoring tournament throughout, Team USA defeated Canada in a 7-5 slugfest. Flyers goaltending prospect Carter Hart entered the finale with a 1.94 GAA and .932 save percentage; tops among all netminders in the four-nations, six-team (USA and Canada started out with split squads) event. In the finale, however, Hart also fell victim to the loose play in front. In 30:22 of action, Hart stopped 10 of 14 shots. He gave way to Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Wells, who was beaten twice on four shots and absorbed the loss. Team USA goalie Joseph Woll scarcely fared better, yielding five goals on 21 shots while going the distance, but it was enough to win.
University of Minnesota-Duluth forward Joey Anderson, a New Jersey Devils prospect, racked up a hat trick that he completed with a late-game empty netter after scoring a power play deflection goal against Hart in the first period and then adding a second tally on the man advantage early in the second period. Calgary Flames draftee Adam Fox, using the defense as a screen, also scored a first period goal while diminutive sniper Kailer Yamamoto (Edmonton Oilers' 2017 first-round selection) rounded out the scoring during Hart's time in net. Anaheim Ducks 2016 first-round pick Sam Steel led the offensive parade for Canada with a three-point (one goal, two assists) effort.
2) Unrestricted free agent left winger Chris VandeVelde has been working out over the summer in his native Moorhead, Minnesota, while trying to obtain an NHL contract for next season. Recently, there was an excellent article on Moorhead rink manager and youth hockey coach Dennis Bushy in which VandeVelde and other NHLers from the area talked about their ongoing debts of gratitude.
"He treats me the same as he did 20 years ago," VandeVelde told reporter Chris Murphy. "I just think as the kids change he's adapted very well. He's really never changed his ways of doing things. He's always cared and gave back. He always thinks of himself last, and he makes sure every kid gets an opportunity."
Bushy, a Vietnam veteran, is something of an iconic figure in Moorhead and was honored by USA Hockey earlier this year with the William Thayer Tutt Award for his outstanding contributions to grassroots hockey. A giver by nature, when the 69-year-old Bushy isn't at the rink, he is volunteering at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Moorhead and cooking meals for the homeless.
For the full article, click here.
As for VandeVelde's status, the 30-year-old defensive forward may have settle for a tryout arrangement at an NHL camp or an AHL deal if he cannot get an NHL contract over the summer. Although a favorite of current Flyers and former UND head coach Dave Hakstol as well as Flyers predecessor coach Craig Berube, VandeVelde's time with the Flyers appears to be at an end after appearing in 232 games for Philly over the past three seasons plus an additional 18 games back in 2013-14. There is already an overflow of forwards set to vie for roster spots come September.
3) Today in Flyers History: On August 6, 1997, Paul Holmgren was promoted from director of pro scouting to the Flyers' director of player personnel under general manager Bob Clarke. One year earlier, "Homer" had returned to the Flyers organization for the first time since being dismissed as head coach 24 games into the 1991-92 season. He has been here ever since. Since 2014, following a nearly eight-season stint as general manager, Holmgren has been the Flyers team president. He is the only figure in franchise history to have served the organization as a player, assistant coach, head coach, pro scout, assistant GM, general manager and team president.