Flyers’ Cam York Makes Strides; Torts Compares Him to Dan Boyle

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York has embraced the early challenge he received from head coach John Tortorella.

The Southern California native has played well since being recalled from the Phantoms on Dec. 8. Tortorella has seen similar flashes in York that he observed when coaching the highly respected Dan Boyle in Tampa Bay.

If the 5-foot-11, 175-pound York turns out to be as good as Boyle, the Philadelphia Flyers will be very happy. 

Boyle had a 17-year career, and collected 163 goals and 605 points in 1,093 games. The 5-11, 194-pound defenseman had 50-plus points six times.

Since being called up, York has five points and a plus-4 rating in nine games, and has played well.  He’s moved the puck and has shown more confidence. In addition, he’s displayed an ability to escape the forecheck and move the puck up the ice.

Here’s a few examples of that:

Couple nice plays from York here in the 1st: 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 (1/3) pic.twitter.com/8Tap6Zg6Ht

— Christopher Maher (@_ChrisMaher) December 18, 2022

Paired with Provy

At practice Wednesday, Tortorella mentioned how he will start with Ivan Provorov and York on the top defensive pairing Thursday. That’s what happened when the Flyers started a three-game trip with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win in San Jose.

York, 21, had good and bad moments in the game, and was minus-1 with one shot in 18:55. He committed a penalty that led to a San Jose power-play goal, and drew one.

Tortorella said York, a first-round selection (14th overall) in the 2019 draft, could help Provorov get back to his game. He likes how York has been more assertive than he was in training camp.

“I want him to rove.  I want him to be a rover,” Tortorella said earlier in the week. “He has shown us that he is willing to defend. I think he’s done some good things around the net; he’s closed people out in corners, and has worked on the hard part of playing defense.”

Tortorella wants to give York the “freedom to rove,” wants the defenseman to meet him “halfway.” The coach said he and Boyle had a similar agreement during their time in Tampa.

Part of that is playing the right way on defense, Tortorella said, adding he would let Boyle do “whatever he wanted” up the ice as long as he was responsible down the other end. He called Boyle one of the greatest rovers he has ever coached.

Tortorella believes York — who will return home to Anaheim when the Flyers play the Ducks on Monday — can be that type of player, because he’s shown he can compete underneath the hash-marks. 

Poor camp

In the preseason, York was slotted onto the Philadelphia Flyers’ third pair, and most people figured he was a lock to make the team because of his offensive talents.

But that didn’t happen. Tortorella said he barely noticed him in camp. York was sent to the Phantoms, where he improved his game under coach Ian Laperriere.

When York was sent down, Tortorella didn’t look at it as a negative for the young defenseman.

“Just remember, guys, this is a young man playing a really important position in our game. This isn’t bad. This is a process of building a team,” Tortorella said at the time. “We feel he’s going to be a very important part of this team when we find our way. When we find our way, I have no idea. But this is the right thing for Yorky.” 

He was right.

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