Ben Holmstrom leaves the ice after a morning skate the day of the AHL Outdoor Classic in January. 
Photo by Tim McManus

Holmstrom’s loss a serious one. So now what?

After covering the Phantoms for three years, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how they go about their business. But the organization surprised me Thursday by issuing a statement addressing Ben Holmstrom’s knee injury and upcoming surgery. I can’t speak for the Philadelphia years, but that’s an unprecedented step since the move to Glens Falls in 2009. I can’t recall the team making any official comment on injuries, and there have been a few significant ones. Johan Backlund, the team’s 2009-10 MVP, missed large chunks of time. Krys Kolanos — don’t laugh, he was a big AHL deal …

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Future Flyers Report: 12/10

Jason Akeson played in 201 games for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL before he signed an entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on March 2nd, 2011. Throughout his time with the Rangers, which spanned from the 2007-2008 season to 2010-2011, Akeson produced 254 points. Of those 254 points, he had 68 goals and 186 assists. With 73.23% of his points being assists in his time with Kitchener, it should be no surprise that is goal and assist totals are so lopsided this season. Splitting time between the Trenton Titans and Adirondack Phantoms this year, Akeson has registered 19 points. Only …

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Trenton Update: 11/30-12/6

Despite the fact that the Trenton Titans allowed 12 goals in their pair of games this past weekend against the Elmira Jackals — the Ottawa Senators’ affiliate — the Titans managed to split the series at the Sun National Bank Center. Trenton’s record improved to 2-2-0 against the Jackals this season and 8-10-1 for the 2012-2013 campaign. The Titans look to move up in the standings with two contests this weekend in Charleston against the South Carolina Stingrays. The madness began when Trenton edged out the Jackals on Saturday with a 7-6 shootout win. Niko Hovinen was pulled after the …

Public address announcer Dan Miner and his wife, Lisa, work in the press box late in the third period of Saturday's game.

Going for the hockey, staying for the people

By the time I made it to the front of the line outside of the Glens Falls Civic Center box office, my nose was cold, my boots were covered in a layer of slush, and I could have really used a beer. Then I found out I was in the wrong line. Will call was inside. When I finally got my ticket, I handed the whole package — stapled envelope included — to the guy at the door. If there was any doubt I’m new to this ticket stuff — translation:  I’m used to being a spoiled reporter — that …

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Around the Net 12.04.2012

Welcome to Around the Net, a weekly look through linkage at the Philadelphia Flyers and other news from around the NHL. Here we go again The fun continues with a scheduled meeting on Tuesday between players and owners with no Fehr or Bettman present. [Edmonton Journal] [USA Today] [Philly.com] Lilja Returns Andreas Lilja will be rehabbing with the Phantoms:[Broad Street Hockey] Media troll of the day The lockout is over! The lockout is over! (not really) [Puck Daddy] That’s all for this week, join me next week for more links from around the web on the Flyers and the NHL. 

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Future Flyers Report: 12/3

Nick Cousins is still at the top of the forwards’ list, and for good reason. He leads the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL in points and is 11th in the league with 11 goals and 29 assists in 29 games. Derek Mathers is first on his team and 17th in the OHL with 51 PIMs for the Peterborough Petes. He’s second to Marc-Andre Bourdon for the lead in that category across the prospects on this list, as Bourdon has 59 PIMs. Andrew Rowe is 11th in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference in terms of scoring with nine goals and 10 …

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Trenton Update: 11/23-11/29

The Trenton Titans lost two of their three games this week, as their record dropped to 7-9-1 to put them two points ahead of both the Wheeling Nailers and Evansville IceMen, who are in last place in the Eastern Conference. The Titans played both squads below them in the Eastern Conference standings this week and went 1-1-0. Despite being ranked so low in the conference a pair of wins this week can help Trenton gain ground, as they play a team that is sixth in the standings, but only four points ahead of them. The Titans’ lone win of the …

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Then and Now: David Laliberte

Ryan Callahan has played five seasons with the New York Rangers. Before the start of the 2011-2012 NHL campaign, Callahan was named the Rangers’ captain, an honor he holds at the moment as well. His first season as captain of New York was also his first 50-point year in the NHL, as he was just one goal shy of the 30-goal plateau. Not bad for a right winger who was picked 127th overall in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Draft. The last right winger selected before Callahan came just three picks earlier, as the Philadelphia Flyers chose David …

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Future Flyers Report: 11/26

Of the 30 skaters mentioned on the list below, 15 have suited up for at least one game with the Adirondack Phantoms and six have suited up for at least one game with the Trenton Titans. Both squads aren’t at the top of the league for scoring. The Phantoms have been held to two goals or less in 10 of their 17 games this season, while the Titans have scored the third-fewest number of goals in the ECHL this year with 39 tallies in 16 contests. In Adirondack, the club has lit the lamp 44 times. The trio of Brayden Schenn, …

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Trenton Update: 11/16-11/22

The Trenton Titans split their two games in Elmira against the Jackals last weekend to snap a long losing streak. The six-game losing streak that lasted three weeks, and saw five losses to the Reading Royals, has dropped the Titans to 12th in the Eastern Conference. Trenton looks to win three out of their last four with two home games this weekend against a pair of opponents who aren’t the Royals or Jackals. The Titans ended their losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Jackals last week at First Arena. After failing to score a single goal for the Kalamazoo Wings …