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Three days are in the books at Flyers Rookie Camp
at the Virtua SkateZone in Voorhees, NJ.
Phantoms players Harry Zolnierczyk, Shane Harper,
Tyler Hostetter, Oliver Lauridsen, Luke Pither,
Zac Rinaldo and Eric Wellwood were all part of the
camp. Others who were there who could potentially
be a part of the Phantoms this year included Blake
Kessel, Tyler Brown, Jason Akeson and Tye McGinn.
Kessel just signed with the Flyers organization
earlier on Wednesday following his career at the
University of New Hampshire. He is the brother of
Paul Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brown and Akeson both signed with the Flyers as
free agents out of the Ontario Hockey League. Brown's
speed has caught some attention in rookie camp this
week while Akeson topped the OHL in points with
108.
McGinn comes from the Quebec Major Junior League
where he has posted impressive numbers. This is
McGinn's third rookie camp with the Flyers. He was
also with Adirondack in the preseason last year
before heading back to the Gatineau Olympiques.
He is the younger brother of Jaime McGinn of the
San Jose and Worcester Sharks.
Next up for the group of young talents is the Rookie
Game matchup against the Washington Capitals. The
contest on Thursday at 5:00 PM will match the Flyers
rookies against the Washington Capitals rookies
at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. It is
a free admission game at the big arena and a large
crowd is expected to cheer on the future Flyers
prospects in an exciting NHL-style atmosphere as
they battle it out with the Caps.
This is the fifth annual Rookie Game between the
Flyers and the Capitals but the first to be held
at either team's NHL arena. The previous rookie
games have taken place at each team's practice facilities
to jam-packed crowds. The games have developed a
reputation for being especially rough with multiple
fights as the youngsters look to make the most of
their big chance to shine in front of the NHL coaches.
The Rookie Game will be broadcast online at philadelphiaflyers.com
Thursday at 5:00 PM with the Flyers broadcast team
calling the action.
Here is the summary from Day 3 of the Rookie Camp
courtesy of Flyers.NHL.com:
Day Three of Flyers Rookie Camp saw the squads
battle each other in a few unscheduled scrimmages.
Perhaps that was the plan all along in order to
give the prospects a little bit of preparation for
what lies ahead on Day Four.
“I think everyone has to put their best foot
forward come tomorrow night,” said Harry Zolnierczyk,
who is one rookie expected to be in the line up
for the Smoothie King Rookie Game vs. the Washington
Capitals. “The first day, the second day and
the third day [the pace] definitely picked up.”
With pace picking up, so too has the competition,
which is after all, what rookie camp has been all
about, and from the Phantoms and Flyers coaching
staff, the game against the Caps will be a very
big measuring stick.
“The competition is big, as well as playing
in the environment of the rink [The Wells Fargo
Center],” said Phantoms head coach Joe Paterson.
“We’re hearing that there’s going
to be a good crowd and good support so I think that’s
going to be exciting for these young players.”
Another player not shying away from the competition
is Tyler Brown, the 21-year-old center who was signed
by the Flyers to an entry-level contract back in
March.
“I think it’s going to be a rough game.
I don’t really know much about Washington,
but I’ve heard from the past that every game
they play is usually rough and intense, so I’m
looking forward to showing my stuff.”
According to the coaching staff and Flyers GM Paul
Holmgren, Brown’s stuff has been impressive.
“There’s been a number of kids that
have caught my attention,” said Holmgren.
“Tyler Brown is someone who I didn’t
know a whole lot about… his speed has caught
my eye.”
Brown spent the last four years playing in the
Ontario Hockey League with the Plymouth Whalers.
Last season he posted 25 goals and 57 points in
67 games. He added another 14 points (3G-11A) in
just 11 postseason contests.
Adirondack Phantoms Opening Night is coming and
is now less than a month away! Saturday, October
8 the Phantoms take on the Connecticut Whale to
begin the third season of exciting Phantoms hockey
in Glens Falls. Get your tickets now by calling
the Adirondack Phantoms at 518-480-3355 or visit
phantomshockey.com
Get great savings and have fun with your friends,
family or co-workers by bringing your group of 15
or more fans to enjoy fast-paced, hard-hitting Phantoms
hockey. Don't forget the Phantoms preseason games
on Wednesday, September 28 in Saratoga Springs,
NY against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and
on Saturday, October 1 against the Albany Devils
at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Follow the Phantoms on twitter @phantomshockey
and on facebook.com/adkhockey
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