Flyers Emphasizing Player Development, Not Roster Spots, At Camp

The purpose of the Philadelphia Flyers’ Development Camp might not be what you think.

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said the young players are in town for developing their game, not necessarily securing a roster spot. 

The 2023-24 Flyers team will be the beginning of the rebuild. Younger players have a terrific chance to get in on the ground floor.

For now, it’s time to sharpen those skills along with those skates. Making the roster will happen at rookie camp and training camp in September, Briere said.

“To me, it’s not so much a time to show what they have,” Briere said. “I think that’s more for training camp. It’s called development. It’s more about that. 

“It’s for us to get to know the players a little better, as well. But mostly it’s about them having the chance to develop their game, feel a little better.

“I remember my first camp, showing up at the rink, you didn’t know anybody, you’re trying to adapt on the go.

“This gives them the chance to be around our guys, each other, trainers, the coaches and hopefully they feel a little better. Because the real evaluation will be at training camp, or at rookie camp in September.”

Getting Together

The new Flyers’ management team is emphasizing player development. The focus is on draft picks and prospects and getting them up to speed.

Getting the players back on the ice in front of coaches and training staff can have a huge benefit. Flaws can be pointed out and corrected. Training regimens can be refined. There’s the camaraderie of getting the rookies and prospects together in one place.

“We’ve added a lot of people there [player development] to help in that department,” Briere said.

“It’s something we take very seriously. Try to help these players become the best players that they can be. Adding Patrick Sharp and John LeClair, they’re going to have a big say in that. I’m really excited about those two guys coming aboard to kind of show what they’ve been through.

“They’ve had an interesting career path. I had the chance to see John LeClair myself as a young boy in Montreal when he started and it wasn’t an easy road for him. Yeah, he won the Stanley Cup early, but they were pretty tough on him.

“He gets traded to Philadelphia and became a superstar here, that was pretty cool to see.

“Look at Patrick Sharp, what he’s been through early in his career. I think that’s tremendous experience that they’ll be able to share with our young guys.

“They haven’t had the cleanest and easy path to winning Stanley Cups and being star players, so I think it’s pretty cool that they’ll be able to share that with young players.”

Rest Of Camp Schedule

After two days of on-ice drills at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, the players have off-ice activities on July 4.

Wednesday’s on-ice sessions will run from 9:15 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Players also will participate in an Ed Snider Youth Hockey Camp Skate at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Penn’s Class of 1923 Arena in Philadelphia.

Thursday will be a five-on-five scrimmage from 6:30 to 8 p.m. All sessions are open to the public.

————

Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

Sam Carchidi says Flyers are moving in the right direction. Honest.

Alexander Tertyshny wears Flyers’ logo, just like his late dad.

Why Marc Staal signed with the Flyers.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: Don’t blame GM Don Sweeney for free agent Tyler Bertuzzi leaving Boston for Toronto.

Buffalo Hockey Now: Sabres rely on relationships to attract defensemen.

Chicago Hockey Now: Should Blackhawks take a flier on recently waived Filip Zadina?

Colorado Hockey Now: Jonathan Drouin ready for fresh start with Avalanche.

Detroit Hockey Now: Wings place Filip Zadina on waivers, but could bring him back.

Florida Hockey Now: Defenseman Niko Mikola brings hard play to Panthers.

Los Angeles Hockey Now: Kings goalie Cam Talbot excited for reunion with Todd McLellan.

Montreal Hockey Now: Contract extension for forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard brings great value to Canadiens.

Nashville Hockey Now: Predators kick off development camp.

New Jersey Hockey Now: What are the Devils getting in experienced defenseman Colin Miller?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Should the Penguins have signed goalie Tristan Jarry?

San Jose Hockey Now: The newest Sharks say hello.

Vegas Hockey Now: Do the Stanley Cup champions have a goalie problem?

Washington Hockey Now: Could Alex DeBrincat fit in with Capitals?