Which Flyers Could Head To Beijing For The Winter Olympics?

JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK

van Riemsdyk is no stranger to Olympic competition, representing the United States at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. He’s actually the only Flyer on the roster with any experience at the Olympics. He racked up a goal and six assists while playing primarily with Joe Pavelski and then-Maple Leafs teammate Phil Kessel.

He also has represented the United States in two U18 IIHF Tournaments, winning gold in 2006. van Riemsdyk also appeared in the 2007 World Junior Championships for the Red, White, and Blue, helping them to a bronze medal in the tournament.

van Riemsdyk’s other United States appearances include his first games with the senior men’s team at the 2011 IIHF Men’s World Championships, three games at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, and an eight-game run at the 2019 IIHF Men’s World Championships to his credit after the Flyers’ season ended on April 4th. His teams were unable to medal in those competitions despite their best efforts.

van Riemsdyk was also no stranger to the national team in his youth, as he participated in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2005 to 2007 before being drafted second overall by the Flyers in the 2007 NHL Draft and spending two seasons at the University of New Hampshire.

van Riemsdyk’s 2020-21 NHL season saw him score 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 56 games for Philadelphia. He had a strong season and looked like the JVR we’re used to seeing, and if he can continue that trend into 2021-22, van Riemsdyk could find himself once again donning an American sweater at the Olympics.

KEVIN HAYES 

Hayes has had a strong tenure as a Flyer so far in his first two seasons with the club. He has recorded 35 goals and 37 assists for 72 points in 124 games with Philadelphia so far. He also tacked on an additional 13 points in 16 playoff games. He will very much be in consideration for the United States come selection time due to his strong two-way play, and his prior international experience will help him as well.

Hayes appeared in eight games for Team USA at the 2014 IIHF Men’s World Championships after playing in the Stanley Cup Final with Alain Vigneault’s New York Rangers. He would post one goal and one assist in the international tournament.

He would once again don Red, White, and Blue in the World Championships in 2017, netting two goals and two assists in just 3 games after his NHL season was over as his Rangers lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the upstart Ottawa Senators.

Very early in his career, Hayes played in the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with the USA U18 team, recording two goals and an assist in three games as the U.S. finished fourth.

Hayes’ prior history with the national team may help him in the Olympics selection process, and a strong first half of the 2021-22 season would surely benefit him as well, especially if he returns to the form we saw in 2019-20 from him.

JOEL FARABEE

Farabee spent plenty of time around the U.S. National Team’s programs for years leading up to his college and professional career. He played two seasons with the USNTDP in the United States Hockey League from 2016 to 2018, registering 63 points in 56 games with the team. Farabee also spent plenty of time on the U17 and U18 clubs as well, and even served as team captain of the U18 squad in 2017-18.

Farabee has appeared in four international tournaments as well, representing the U.S. at the 2016 World U17 Hockey Challenge, the 2017 and 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships, and the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships. Farabee helped his 2017 U18 team win gold, and his 2018 and 2019 teams won silver medals in their competitions.

Farabee is coming off a career season in which he led all Flyer goal scorers with 20 markers on the year, the second-youngest player in franchise history to lead the squad in goals behind only the great Eric Lindros. The 21 year-old Cicero, New York native also recently signed a handsome contract extension that kicks in for 2022-23 to the tune of $30,000,000 over six seasons.

Farabee has been impressive at every level he’s played at in his young career, and while he’s a less experienced NHL player, the skill he possesses and the strong play he’s shown so far could warrant a surprise addition to the Olympics roster for Team USA in February if he can stay hot out of the gate this season.

CAM ATKINSON

Atkinson, a new face on Broad Street after he was swapped by Columbus for Jake Voracek, has had some brief experience with the U.S. National Team. Atkinson has appeared in two IIHF Men’s World Championships for the program, in 2012 and 2018. He posted three points in eight games in the 2012 tournament as the United States finished 7th. His 2018 tournament, though, saw him rack up 11 points in 10 games as the Americans won the bronze medal match over bordering rival Team Canada by a score of 4-1.

The 32 year-old Riverside, Connecticut native potted 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points in 56 games for the Blue Jackets last season. He was only one of two Blue Jackets to skate in all 56 contests and record at least 15 goals and 30 points alongside team leader Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Atkinson will look to regain his true form and go back to being the 20+ goal scorer he’s accustomed to being, but he may be on the outside looking in on the United States’ Olympic radar based on his prior track record within the U.S. National Team, which is a minimal workload compared to other wingers under consideration.