Then and Now: Lars Jonsson

By Craig F
Posted on 12/19/2012 at 9:00 am

The first six picks in the 2000 NHL Draft were players who played several years in the league and enjoyed either popularity or notoriety. The group of Rick DiPietro, Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Rostislav Klesla, Raffi Torres, and Scott Hartnell are recognizable names across the NHL for several reasons. With the seventh overall pick in 2000, however, the Boston Bruins selected defenseman Lars Jonsson, who only played in eight NHL games. The blue liner played all his games in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers, as he never suited up for the team that drafted him. Jonsson appeared in a string …

Then and Now: David Printz

By Craig F
Posted on 10/17/2012 at 9:00 am

In the 2001 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers picked Swedish defenseman David Printz 225th overall in the seventh round. The blue liner was selected two picks before the Colorado Avalanche chose Marek Svatos and four picks before the New Jersey Devils chose Aaron Voros. Printz joined the Flyers’ organization in the 2004-2005 regular season, as he spent time with the Trenton Titans and the Philadelphia Phantoms. The d-man only played in two games for the Titans recording an assist in the process. He participated in 50 regular season games with the Calder Cup winners posting a goal and five assists along with 66 PIMs. For …

Then and Now: Ole-Kristian Tollefsen

By Craig F
Posted on 09/12/2012 at 9:00 am

After his fourth season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen signed with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2009 offseason. Known as a tough and physical defender, the Norwegian played all of 18 games for the Orange and Black before being traded away for a crucial piece in the Flyers’ 2010 playoff run. Tollefsen endured all his games in the Orange and Black from October 8th, 2009, which was the Flyers’ first loss of the season in a 5-4 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins, to January 30th, 2010, a 2-1 win for Philly over the New York Islanders. In that time the defenseman …

Then and Now: Mika Pyorala

By Craig F
Posted on 07/04/2012 at 9:42 am

Mika Pyorala was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers in June of 2009. Even though the Finn never played a game in the NHL, the Flyers believed Pyorala proved himself enough in the SM-liiga and Elitserien to earn a shot in North America. With a cap hit of $500,000 for the 2009-2010 season, Pekka Rinne’s brother-in-law posted pretty decent numbers for the Flyers and the Phantoms. In his 36 games with the Orange and Black, Pyorala had two goals and two assists. His first goal as a Flyer was important, as he potted one in a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on November …

Prospect Profiles: Joacim Eriksson

By penaltykiller
Posted on 05/30/2011 at 12:06 pm

photo courtesy of flyers.nhl.com Position: Goalie Catches: Right Height: 6.2? Weight: 187 Birth date: April 9, 1990 Age: 21 Hometown: Gavle, Sweden Acquired: 2008 7th round pick – 196 overall “Our scouts have been very impressed with his poise and technical ability, and think he will only continue to get better.” – Flyers Director of Hockey Operations, Chris Pryor Joacim Eriksson was a member ofthe Brynas IF junior system during his draft season of 2007-2008. He spent the year split between their J18 (under 18) and J20 (under 20) junior teams. Eriksson was the starting goalie for the J18 team. …