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Flight Plan 01.14.2013

  Now Boarding: Finally the National Hockey League’s brand of professional ice hockey will be back where it belongs: on the ice, in the arenas, in front of the fans in those buildings and at home. The Philadelphia Flyers opened training camp officially yesterday and will have a free open session at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday at 6 p.m. This week there will be back-to-back games for the Orange and Black, and they will surely be high energy and intensity games. The regular season opener will surely be a classic as the Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins at …

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Future Flyers Report: 1/14

The Philadelphia Flyers have made some noise lately with a few transactions. In addition to signing blue liner Kurtis Foster, the Orange and Black completed a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes where they received former Flyer Brian Boucher. In addition to Boosh, Philly was dealt defensive prospect Mark Alt. The pair was exchanged for forward prospect Luke Pither. Since most Flyers’ fans are aware of what Boucher brings to the table, many are curious as to what Alt can do. Picked 53rd overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, Alt stands at 6’3″, 203 pounds. The St. …

Thanks to Shoebox Legends

Fantastic Finish, Sputtering Start: The 1995 Flyers

This beloved team defied expectations, growing stronger as the season went on and eventually landed two wins shy of the Stanley Cup Finals. It consistently defied expectations and exceeded dreams, winning an Atlantic Division title, two playoff rounds including an unthinkable second-round sweep of the defending champions, and restored faith in a proud franchise. Despite the glory of remembrance, it wasn’t all champagne and roses and hope from the start. It also started out the season 3-7-1, were shut out in back-to-back games including giving a former expansion club its first-ever shutout victory, failed to produce much offense during a …

training camp crowd

Training Camp Report: 1/13 – Record breaking crowd takes in opening day of camp

On the first first official day of the 2013 NHL season, the Flyers opened training camp in Voorhees, New Jersey. Flyers fans did nothing to dispel the notion that hockey fans, rabid as they are, will always show up when there is hockey to be played regardless of any labor disputes. There was a standing-room only crowd at the Voorhees Skate Zone, and it was reported that over 4,000 fans were in attendance, the largest crowd ever. In fact, the Fire Marshal had to stop allowing people into the rink to watch, as it was at capacity. Practice began with …

boosh

Boosh to make third (or fourth, if you count the Phantoms) tour of duty in Philadelphia

This morning, Anthony SanFilippo tweeted that Brian Boucher was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Luke Pither. The two-time Flyers’ goalie, who also had an AHL only contract with the Phantoms during the 2008 season, has been reportedly living in New Jersey and practicing with Flyers’ players during the lockout. This news comes on the heels of the announcement that the Hurricanes extended an invitation to Dan Ellis to training camp. The goalie affectionately known as “Boosh” is best known for an incredible save against Patrick Elias the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 playoffs as well as winning …

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Flyers sign Kurtis Foster to one-year deal

Shortly after the NHL and NHLPA signed the Memo of Understanding allowing teams to officially open for business, the Flyers signed defensman Kurtis Foster to a one-year, $950k contract, as reported by Anthony SanFilippo. The 31 year old Foster spent last season with three different teams, Anaheim, Minnesota, and New Jersey. He finished the year with 14 points in 51 games, averaging a little over 15 minutes of ice time per game. The 6’5″ 226 pound defenseman, possesses a booming right-handed shot, and could provide some punch to the Power Play. The signing actually resembles the Pavel Kubina acquisition from last season. Both …

Thanks to TwinCities.com

2013 Flyers schedule released

With a Memorandum of Understanding now agreed upon by both the owners and the players’ union, the madness is about to begin. Several minutes ago, the Philadelphia Flyers released their 2013 schedule, and as had been reported, Opening Day will be 3 PM on Saturday, January 19 on NBC against the Pittsburgh Penguins on South Broad Street. “I’m happy that we’re back to playing hockey,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. “Our fans have waited a long time, and I want to thank them for staying with us. We can’t wait for the season to start.” The remainder of the 48-game …

cowpasture

All Clear: NHLPA ratifies new CBA

We have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good. Earlier on Saturday afternoon, the members of the National Hockey League Players’ Association voted to ratify the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHLPA and the National Hockey League. That means the final remaining hurdle to the 2013 season has been overcome. From the NHLPA release: “While the players’ vote ratifies the new CBA with the NHL owners, a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) consistent with what the players voted on, must be completed before the Agreement becomes final. The NHLPA and the NHL continue their work to …

Thanks to Film Junk

Hockey Hilarity: A little bit Rusty

Friday funnies brought to you straight from hockey’s own players and media personnel. We’ll be mucking it up every week right here, examining puck ups, puns, tweets, and more! We’ve been ready for NHL brand hockey to start since October and it looks as if it finally will start on January 19th. A lot of people might have forgotten that the Philadelphia Flyers have a couple new faces joining their lineup. One of those new faces is actually an old one. The guy’s name is Ruslan Fedotenko. Ruslan, who has been known to go by Rusty, was an undrafted signee of …

Courtesy Adirondack Phantoms

Glens Falls’ best hope for future is still to support the team it has now

When the Phantoms announced last week they’d remain in Glens Falls for another season, their release contained a caveat that struck an unusual note to those not attuned to the unique rhythms of the drawn out dance between city and team. Fairly high in the Phantoms’ statement, Glens Falls’ mayor Jack Diamond trumpeted the franchise’s pledge to step aside for parts unknown next season should another franchise pledge to move to Glens Falls. “Why announce that part,” the Flyers own inside reporter Anthony SanFilippo wrote on Twitter. “Doesn’t instill confidence for fans for next season.” That was a pretty typical reaction outside …