Category Archives: Off Ice

Flyers notes 1-22-06

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Jamie Storr who was backup goalie to Antero Niittymaki for the 17 games that Robert Esche was out has a rather interesting story. A story that LA Kings fans know, but fans here in the east probably haven’t heard. Storr is half Japanese which you really don’t see at all by looking at him. Keiko, Storr’s Japanese mother was born on December 7, 1941. The date Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Keiko met Jim by chance when her flight back to Japan was cancelled. They married within a year and had Jamie about 4 years later. Jamie grew up in Toronto and is very proud of his Japanese heritage. Complete story can be found here.
Storr has won two in a row since being sent back across the parking lot to the Phantoms.

The second annual Goals for Giving hockey benefit will take place at the Flyers Skate Zone in the Far Northeast from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Proceeds benefit a range of juvenile services. Flyer alums participating include Brian Propp, Joe Watson, Bob Kelly and Larry Goodenough. Tickets are $20, $10 for kids. For more info call 610-260-4675 or contact [email protected].

Photo by Kevin Lamb
Flyers prospect Steve Downie was suspended for 5 games a second time this season for going after Andrew Gibbons in the final 5 minutes of a game. Gibbons turtled, but Downie still threw punches. This after getting 10-minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Downie has been watched closely since the incident with teammate Akim Aliu. Downie was playing for the Windsor Spitfires when he crosschecked Akim Aliu in the mouth. This exposed incidents of hazing and led to Downie being traded to the Peterborough Petes.
He needs to learn how to manage his emotions and play within the game. He is starting to be compared to Billy Tibbetts and that is not a good thing.

The Flyers have 5 of the top 12 players drafted in 1990 in the organization.
Petr Nedved #2, Keith Primeau #3, Derian Hatcher #8, John Slaney #9, and Turner Stevenson #12. Slaney plays for the Phantoms.
Four other players from that first around also played for the Flyers at some point. Mike Ricci, the Flyers #4 pick, Mark Greig, Karl Dykhuis and Shawn Antoski.
Other first round picks currently in the Flyers organization include Jamie Storr #7 in 1994, Mike Rathje #3 in 1992, Jeff Carter #11 in 2003, Ben Eager #23 in 2002, Peter Forsberg #6 in 1991, Simon Gagne #22 in 1998, Mike Richards #24 in 2003 and R.J. Umberger #16 in 2001.

Petr Nedved has said it has been difficult being away from his wife while playing in Phoenix, she lives in New York.
Will Petr Nedved be able to perform better being closer to his wife, supermodel Veronica Varekova?


I don’ know about Petr, but that would motivate me.

Flyers Tour the Pentagon

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Coach Ken Hitchcock gives Derian Hatcher a quick history lesson.

With a day off after three games in four nights, the Philadelphia Flyers got a tour of the Pentagon on Friday as they arrived in Washington D.C. on Thursday night in preparation for a game against the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon. The entire team and coaching staff was treated to the tour courtesy of the United States Army. – PhiladelphiaFlyers.com

More pictures are included at the link.

Flyers Player Blog

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Everyone seems to have a blog nowadays, even the Flyers. At least a Players Blog.
Jon Sim had blogged for the Flyers the first part of the year.

Now Mike Knuble has taking over that duty.
Read how Knuble slept on the plane. How he never got to see the beach and how good it is to get humidity in your lungs. The team was excited to get in their beds, too.

Too bad they don’t allow comments.

Flyers visit childrens hospital

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Carter, Handzus and Radivojevic smile for a group picture.

Yesterday more than half of the Philadelphia Flyer’s roster was at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to visit with some of the kids who are in the hospital over the holidays.

“They don’t know who I am, but if I can make them smile or laugh, it’s worthwhile. They come and root for us 41 days a year. It’s our way of giving back.” Said Jon Sim

“In an ideal world, I wish every athlete had a charity that he was responsible for. I wish the players could do this on a weekly basis, not once in a while. We ought to find a way to make it more regular. I think it would help the community even more.” Said Ken Hitchcock

Indeed.

If you wish to donate to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia go to their website http://www.chop.edu and click on the “Ways of Giving” link at the top. You can give online or download the form, print it out and mail it in.
With this being the Christmas season I would encourage everyone to give a little money, time or blood to whichever organization you feel needs it the most.

Unhappy Larmer leaves post with NHLPA

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The Players Association seems to be going thru some turmoil. Steve Larmer voiced his opinion with the selection of Ted Saskin as the NHLPA Executive Director by resigning. I don’t know much about NHLPA internal politics, but considering that the ‘final final’ draft of the agreed to CBA has not been released yet, this can not be good for the NHLPA.
Steve Larmer’s resignation letter

“I have worked for seven years at the NHLPA. For six of those years I am proud to say I worked for one of the most powerful organizations in pro sports but what has happened over the last nine months and more so in the last 90 days has led me to make a tough decision. I feel I must resign. I am resigning because this organization has taken a giant step backwards, back to the days of Eagleson where a select few made decisions for the group.

Where there has been misinformation and denial of information to the players that is totally disrespectful. This is something that I, and many others, worked so hard to get rid of in our organization and it has all returned. This is wrong. Honesty and transparency should be the foundation of this organization and that has been torn away.

I remember the Eagleson days when the PA was ruled by the minority and the majority was kept in the dark. Our group of players challenged it, demanded change and received it. We all vowed that those days would not return but low and behold they have.

For the past seven years I have traveled and spoken to many players. My role was to challenge them to ask questions, get answers so they could make both personal and collective decisions. To let them know that this is there organization. Without the right information it is tough to make decisions, lately the guys are having trouble getting answers to their questions.

What has taken place since Bob was let go is unacceptable. No matter how you look at it it shows a total disregard for all of the players. An organization has to be governed by its Constitution and Bylaws. When it is not it becomes self-serving.

When Bob was asked to step down in late July some members of the executive committee hired Ted right away. They did so relying on information given to them by Ted. They did not follow the constitution or the bylaws. They were misled and made a wrong decision. A small group of players does not have the authority to do what they do, the full board should have been consulted prior to making any decisions.

When a few players got wind of what was going and started to ask questions a conference call was set up to vote Ted in. Without prior information as to what the call was about after two hours a vote was held on whether or not to vote, it was 17 to 17. The called should have ended there, a warning to proceed slowly and do it right. Two hours later Ted was voted in but some how this did not seem right, not even to Ted. Then we have the “not so secret ballot vote” were there is some active soliciting of these votes taking place. This is totally wrong once again.

I was around during the Eagleson days and this is reminds me of how ‘Eagle’ operated. The Constitution and bylaws are there to protect the organization from any of this happening. This should have been dealt with right away and because it hasn’t leads me to believe that everyone thinks it will go away and everything will be all right. What is even more disheartening is that those on the executive committee refuse to do what’s right so as an organization we can begin the healing process.

Ted is relying on the players playing the game and not paying attention to a most important matter that could affect many players for many years going forward.

We are a tattered union to say the least and it will take along time for the players to trust those that are left to run the PA. I had a wonderful time working for all of the players, the best group of athletes anywhere. I have had the chance to learn a great many things from a lot of people in the last 7 years working at the PA and will without a doubt miss everyone. I feel that under the present conditions with all that is happening I cannot be associated with what is going on.”

Flyers to Welcome 25-Millionth Fan

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The Philadelphia Flyers will welcome their 25-millionth fan on Saturday, November 5, when they host the Atlanta Thrashers at the Wachovia Center beginning at 7 p.m. The Flyers will present the lucky fan with “millions” of gifts, literally.

Some of the gifts include a very expensive watch, HD TV, some cash, a trip to Florida and a ride on the zamboni!

So try to make the game on November 5!