Quick Hits: May 17, 2022
1) Flyers center Kevin Hayes has been named as one of the three "finalists" (top vote-getters) for the 2021-22 Masterton Trophy, along with Zdeno Chara and Carey Price. Each year, the National Hockey League awards the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy to the player who best embodies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game of hockey.
On Aug. 21, 2021, Kevin's older brother Jimmy, passed away at the age of 31. The former NHL player is survived by his wife Kristen, young sons Beau and Mac, parents Shelagh and Kevin Hayes Sr., and four siblings. Jimmy and brother Kevin were especially close, and Kevin considered him his best friend.
In the meantime, Kevin himself experienced a hellish calendar year from an injury standpoint. During the 2020-21 pandemic-shortened season, he saw a sharp dip in his effectiveness on the ice as compared to his performance over the 2019-20 campaign. It turned out that Hayes had a core muscle tear.
He underwent surgery last May, but suffered a reinjury in September and missed the start of this season to undergo a second surgery. When he returned to the lineup, something was clearly still not right. Hayes learned that the surgical area had become infected and the infection spread throughout his groin. He exited the lineup again in mid-January. Another procedure was necessary, this time to clean out the infection.
Finally, Hayes returned to the Flyers' lineup again on March 5. Since that time he's been a much healthier, and more effective, player. Over the first 24 games Hayes played upon his return, he led the entire team with 20 points (6g, 14a) and all Flyers forwards with an average 19:14 of ice time per game.
For more about Hayes' candidacy for the Masterton,
click here.
2) Flyers 2018 second-round pick Adam Ginning, who was part of the SHL champion Färjestad team this season, announced his intention to come to North America next season to play for the Phantoms/Flyers according to Hockey Sverige. Ginning
told Wermlands Tidningen that the championship winning game was his last for FBK and that he'd come overseas after signing an entry-level contract. The Flyers hold the defensive defenseman's NHL signing rights until June 1.
3) The Flyers also have to make a signing decision about 2020 sixth-round pick Connor McClennon by June 1. Playing on a stacked Winnipeg Ice team, the 5-foot-8 winger posted 43 goals and 81 points in 62 games during the Western Hockey League regular season and, thus far, has compiled 14 points (6g, 8a) through 10 playoff games. Winnipeg will take on the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Eastern Conference Final series, which starts on Friday. McClennon will turn 20 on June 25.
4) Kelly Cup Playoffs; The Reading Royals suffered a 4-2 loss to the Newfoundland Growlers in Game 7 of the North Division Final round of the Kelly Cup playoffs at Santander Arena on Monday. The Flyers' ECHL affiliate had led the series, three games to one, before losing each of the last three games.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»