Philadelphia Flyers: James van Riemsdyk provides insight into recent injury
Still healing from a broken finger, there hasn’t been much that Flyers’ James van Riemsdyk has been able to do.
James van Riemsdyk suffered the injury blocking a shot during the Flyers game against the Capitals on March 4th. Originally thought to be a broken hand, it was later revealed to be just a broken index finger. That injury has limited what van Riemsdyk has been able to do, however.
The NHL pause has an even greater effect on van Riemsdyk as he would have been able to keep skating throughout his rehabilitation process. He is still at the point where he hasn’t been able to pick up a stick. He has been limited to anything under a pound. X-rays on the finger have come ever 10 days.
As mentioned by Chuck Fletcher the other day, he believes that van Riemsdyk would have been ready for the start of the playoffs. If not the first day, then at least during the first week.
The hardest part, according to van Riemsdyk, is that he and his wife are staying in the basement of his in-laws’ home. Their home in Minnesota is not quite finished yet. So his lack of exercise equipment is quite evident. Most of what he has been able to do has included bands and body weights.
Van Riemsdyk did provide some other commentary as he spoke to the media yesterday. The topic of teammate Kevin Hayes popped up and van Riemsdyk had some interesting answers about him. The two have a connection that dates back to when van Riemsdyk was with the United States National Team Development Program.
For reference, he spent time with them back in 2005-2007. The two never actually played together, but van Riemsdyk did mention playing with Jimmy Hayes, Kevin’s older brother.
Full quote on the bumming of the sticks. pic.twitter.com/xMHLSdQHqB
— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) April 1, 2020
The NHL has extended the self-quarantine to April 15th. And that only deals with the players and staff being able to socialize outside their homes. There is no word on when they might be able to return to workout facilities. So for now, van Riemsdyk, along with his teammates, will have to make do with what they have at home.