Philadelphia Flyers: Meet the Phantoms
Having checked out the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and written a recap of last weekend’s games, I realized most of the players will be unknown, or at best hazy, to the typical Philadelphia Flyers fan. This includes myself. Here I run through the lineup, organized by lines, with a brief introduction to each player.
Next: The Coach
The Coach
Scott Gordon
Scott Gordon is an experienced coach. He played very briefly in the NHL as a goalie, but most of his hockey career has been climbing the coaching ladder. From an IHL assistant, to ECHL head coach, to AHL head coach, to NHL head coach. He coached the New York Islanders from 2008-2011, and was an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2011-2014.
Next: The Captain
The Captain
Colin McDonald
The Philadelphia Flyers signed Colin McDonald this summer. He is a 31 year old wing, who has spent the last few seasons in the Islanders organization. He played 123 NHL games for the Islanders in that time, splitting last season between the AHL and NHL.
Next: Scoring Line 1
Scoring Line 1
Danick Martel – Nick Cousins – Chris Conner
The Flyers signed Danick Martel as undrafted free agent this March. Martel was coming off a real breakout season in the QMJHL, having dramatically increased his production from 60 points the season prior to 102 points. He appeared in 5 games for the Phantoms last spring, registering 3 points. He is 20 years old, but is a small player at 5’8″.
Nick Cousins was drafted by the Flyers in the 3rd round (68th overall) of the 2011 NHL draft. Now 22, this will be Cousin’s 3rd full season with the Phantoms. A quick and agitating forward, Cousins saw a big boost in his production, going from 29 points in 74 games in 2013-14, up to 56 points in 64 games last season. He also appeared in 11 games with the Flyers last season.
Chris Conner is a veteran player (31 years old) who the Flyers added in the offseason. A small undrafted player, in his career-to-date he has played in 180 NHL games for the Stars, Penguins, Red Wings, Coyotes and Capitals. He scored 52 points in 61 AHL games last season for the Hershey Bears.
Next: Scoring Line 2
Scoring Line 2
Taylor Leier – Tim Brent – Palushaj
The Flyers drafted Taylor Leier in the 4th round of the 2012 NHL draft. Now 21, this will be his second season with the Phantoms. Last season, he scored 13 goals and 18 assists in 73 games.
Tim Brent is a veteran player (31), who returns to North America from the KHL. Originally a 2nd round pick of Anaheim in the 2002 draft, Brent has 207 games NHL experience. He spent the last two years in the KHL with Magnitogorsk Metallurg.
Aaron Palushaj is 26 years old, and is also returning from the KHL this season. He was drafted in the second round by the Blues in the 2007 draft, and has appeared in 68 NHL games. In 2013-14, Brent scored 58 points in 68 games with the AHL Charlotte Checkers.
Next: Line 3
Line 3
Petr Straka – Cole Bardreau – Tyrell Goulbourne
Petr Straka was drafted #55 overall in the 2010 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. After two unproductive seasons in the QMJHL, the Blue Jackets decided not to sign him and thus he became a free agent. The next season, Straka’s points in the QMJHL jumped from 37 to 82, and the Flyers pounced. He is now 23 years old, and in his 3rd pro season. He scored 14 goals and 24 points for the Phantoms last season, and also played in 3 games with the Flyers, notching two assists.
The Flyers signed Cole Bardreau out of college, after 4 seasons with Cornell. He joined the Phantoms last spring, scoring 2 points in 15 games. He is 22 years old.
The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Tyrell Goulbourne at #72 overall in the 2013 draft. His selection was a big surprise, as he was predicted to go much later in the draft, if he was drafted at all. Since being drafted, he has put in two more workmanlike seasons in the WHL, and makes his pro debut this year.
Next: Line 4
Line 4
Jay Rosehill – Pavel Padakin – Michael Parks
Jay Rosehill is a veteran tough guy, having played 117 NHL games for the Maple Leafs, and most recently, the Flyers. Last season, the scored 12 points for the Phantoms, to go along with his 219 PIMs.
Pavel Padakin is an undrafted player the Flyers signed out of the WHL this summer. He is making his pro debut this season.
Michael Parks was a 5th round pick of the Flyers in the 2010 draft. Since being drafted, he spent 4 years at North Dakota playing under Flyers coach Dave Hakstol. This is his first year pro.
Next: Defense Pair #1
Defense Pair #1
Andrew MacDonald – Shayne Gostisbehere
Just about every Flyers fan should know this duo. Andrew MacDonald was a deadline acquisition by the Flyers in the spring of 2014. Paul Holmgren subsequently signed him to a 6-year, $30 million contract. He struggled in his first full season with the Flyers last season, and was stunned to be sent down the Phantoms at the start of this season. He still counts as ~$4 million on the Flyers cap this season.
Shayne Gostisbehere is one of the Flyers’ most exciting prospects. Drafted in the 3rd round of 2012, “Ghost’s” stock has steadily increased since then. After leading Union to the NCAA championship in 2014, Ghost signed with the Flyers. Last season was his first season pro, but after only 2 games with the Flyers and 5 with the Phantoms, he suffered a season ending knee injury.
Next: Defense Pair #2
Defense Pair #2
Samuel Morin – Robert Hagg
Two more of the “big 5″ of the Flyers group of defensive prospects, Robert Hagg and Samuel Morin were both drafted in the opening rounds of the 2013 draft. Hagg was taken at #41, his draft rank having slipped in the months leading up to the draft because of concerns with a laid back attitude. Because he did not play in canadien junior leagues, he was eligible to play in the AHL before his 20th birthday, and scored 20 points in 69 games last season for the Phantoms.
Samuel Morin was the higher draft choice, taken #11th overall by the Flyers in the 2013 NHL draft. A huge figure at 6’7”, he is very strong and plays a mean game. This the first season Morin is eligible to play in the AHL, and he makes his pro debut this season. He will get his chance in the NHL, but the question is when and in how big of a role.
Next: Defense Pair #3
Defense Pair #3 and Extras
Davis Drewiske – Mark Alt
Davis Drewiske is a 30 year old player, who spent several seasons on the fringes of the LA Kings roster after coming out of the University of Wisconsin. He’s been a full-time AHL player the last two seasons, scoring 22 points in 62 games last season with the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Mark Alt was a second round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 draft. The Flyers were able to buy-low in acquiring Alt, in a 2013 trade for Brian Boucher. This is Alt’s third season with the Phantoms, and he also appeared in one game for the Philadelphia Flyers last season.
Jesper Pettersson was a 7th round pick of the Flyers in the 2014 draft. Now 21 years old, he scored 7 points in 51 games for the Phantoms last season.
Next: Goalies
Sep 22, 2014; London, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Anthony Stolarz (65) in the first period against Toronto Maple Leafs at Budweiser Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Goalies
Jason LaBarbera and Anthony Stolarz
Jason LaBarbera is old pro at 35 years old. He has played 187 NHL games for 6 different teams, most recently 5 games for Anaheim last season. He has also played 247 career AHL games.
Anthony Stolarz was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 2012 draft. After being drafted, he went to play for University of Nebraska-Omaha, but promptly dropped out and moved to the OHL. He played two pretty good seasons in the OHL, and made his pro debut last season playing 31 games with the Phantoms. He is huge 6’6″, and will look to continue his development this season with the Phantoms.
Next: Giroux Leads Through Adversity