Classic Post: An Interview With Philadelphia Flyers’ Legend Bernie Parent

The emergence of Carter Hart as a solid goalie provides the Philadelphia Flyers with a key building block. The top goaltender in franchise history and National Hockey League Hall of Famer, Bernie Parent, was central to the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. 

Here's another look at an interview I conducted with him...

Spending a few hours with Philadelphia Flyers' legend Bernie Parent was well worth the trip to his office in New Jersey. Here's a full replay of an online feature that originally premiered in the fall of 2010...

“Today, my philosophy has changed tremendously. Everything comes from what you think about. Whatever you are thinking, you are going to attract. When you are happy, good things will come to you, ” Bernard Marcel Parent.

A week prior to his participation in the Spectrum's demolition ceremonies, I had the chance to discuss hockey, business, and philosophy with Bernie Parent. In doing so, I learned about the man who was a steady rock on those Flyers 1970's Stanley Cup teams. The former goaltender's candor and warm demeanor revealed how he has transitioned from a Hall of Fame sports career to life after the game.

“The last time I was in the Spectrum, I went down to the floor and stood where the holes for the net used to be. I was there for about 10 to15 minutes looking at the whole building. I relived the memories one last time. It was a beautiful thing,” Parent said.

Parent, who will be honored by the Flyers on December 8^th at “Bernie Parent night”, has remained a member of the Flyers' family, serving as an ambassador for the team.

New book to be released

He also is the author of a forthcoming book, My Journey Through Fear and Risk, which was developed through his experiences, conversations, and motivational speeches that he has given since his playing career ended. The book will be available to corporations, schools, non-profits, and individuals. In it, he discusses life after hockey and how each person can develop a proper philosophy. It also contains a menu of 15 topics to select from which facilitates Parent's in-person presentations.

In addition to authoring a book, he has continued to represent a number of different corporations, and make public relations appearances around the country and in Canada.

Business requests can be made through his manager, Dean Smith, who can be contacted at: 856-988-0001 and through Parent's website.

“When I talk with people, I tell them to find out what their purpose is. They need to find what they love to do and dedicate their lives to it. That's when you get involved in fear and risk. You may have to change everything in your life, but risk is a beautiful thing. That is when things happen. All successful people have taken risks,” Parent said.

Learning from the master

Parent's hockey career was partly inspired by Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, whose sister lived aside of his family home.

“I was a shy kid, so when Plante would come to visit his sister I would always watch him. I can see in my mind exactly what his sister's house looked like, how he got out of his car, stood in front of the house smoking a cigar, and how he walked up the steps,” Parent fondly recalled.

“My goal as a little leaguer was to get to the National Hockey League and then to win the Stanley Cup. When I was a kid I might have had 200 people telling me that I wasn't going to make it. They said I

wasn't big enough, or strong enough. But, when you have passion and are good enough, the obstacles fade away,” Parent said.

After playing in the junior leagues for the Niagara Falls Flyers, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the mid-1960's. Later he was selected in the 1967 NHL expansion draft by the Flyers and played in Philadelphia until he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1971. Their starting goalie at the time was none other than Jacques Plante.

“When I was traded to Toronto, I had some doubts at first. That was a low point in my career because I wasn't looking at the right side of the coin. I was thinking about the Flyers not wanting me, rather than the fact that the Leaf's did want me. Plus, the person who I admired as a child, Plante, was their goalie. I learned a great lesson from that whole experience,” Parent said.

“I was there (in Toronto) for two years. I watched Plante play from the bench. He was incredible! You don't want to copy someone, but take what they have an add it to your own style. So, one day, I said to him, 'Jacques, can you teach me?', Parent said.

In 1972, Parent took a risk and jumped to a rival league called the World Hockey Association. While playing for the Philadelphia Blazers during that 1972-73 season, he faced an average of 55 shots per game, but used that as an opportunity to apply what he had learned from Plante. When the Blazers moved to Vancouver at season's end, he decided to go back to the NHL. Toronto then traded his rights to the Flyers.

Fred Shero

Newspapers heralded his return as a move that could help the team to win the Cup in 1973-74.

“The first time I met Fred Shero he came up to me and said that he believed in team work, but didn't know anything about goaltending, so I was on my own. As soon as he said that, I knew I had the right coach,” Parent recalled.

“I got a standing ovation when I stepped onto the ice at the Spectrum during our first pre-season game that year. But, ten minutes into the game, the Rangers had scored eight goals against me. I heard a lot of boos and Freddy (Shero) pulled me out. That was my reintroduction to the city. But, when you think you have hit your lowest moments, it doesn't mean it's over. You are just being sent in a different direction,” Parent said.

A few weeks after that Rangers game, Shero had Parent start in goal for the regular season opener against Toronto. He shut them out 2-0. As we know, the Broad Street Bullies went on to famously win their first Stanley Cup that season and have “walked together forever”, just as Shero's locker room chalkboard message had encouraged them to do.

Parent earned many awards after his return to Philadelphia, including winning both the Vezina (an award given annually to the league's best goalie) and the Conn Smythe (an award given annually to the league's best playoff performance) trophies in 1973-74 and 1974-75.

Post-hockey career

A five-time All-Star, he was the toast of the town in the 1970's, adding another Cup win in 1974-75. But, after a career-ending eye injury against the Rangers, in 1979, his life changed dramatically.

“After retirement, the problem is that you can't perform in front of large crowds anymore. That is the biggest adjustment that you have to make. Money is separate adjustment,” Parent said.

He joined a self-help program that he credits with turning his life around.

“In your greatest despair, you can have your greatest victory. As long as I was the hockey player, I had a purpose. Once that stopped, that purpose was gone. I went in circles. I wasn't happy and I hung around people who had a similar outlook. I have learned that you become what you attract. So, I like to share what I went through because I want to help people to learn through my experiences,” Parent said.

During that time period he also was a goaltending coach and scout for the Flyers. Neil Little, drafted on Parent's recommendation, went on to win two Calder Cups for the Flyers AHL affiliate and today is the Flyers worldwide goalie scout.

In 1998, he was willing to let a doctor perform a new procedure on his damaged right eye. The procedure worked, restoring his vision to 20/20.

Pelle Lindbergh

Thomas Tynander and Bill Meltzer's book Behind the White Mask, contains a sharply detailed description of Lindbergh's life, career, and the father-son type relationship that he had with Parent. We discussed the book and his remembrances of Lindbergh.

“Pelle was here on Earth for a brief moment that was cut a little bit short. We are spiritual people and

I believe that when someone passes away they move onto a new place in their eternal life,” Parent reflected.

During the 1981-82 season, Lindbergh was struggling. When he was sent to the Flyers minor league team in Maine, Parent suggested that he go with him. Through his guidance, Lindbergh returned to the Flyers during that season. He went on to win the Vezina trophy in 1984-85, which Parent presented to him at the awards ceremony.

“I opened the envelope and his name was listed as the winner. He came up on stage and gave me hug. It was a big moment,” Parent fondly recalled.

“I was very grateful that I was a part of his life. A paradigm was passed from Plante, the master, to me and then I passed what I had learned on to Pelle. He had a lot of good qualities that could benefit us today,” Parent said of his former protege.

Recent pursuits

He has remained an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He values family greatly, having two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.

“It is a different phase that I'm going into now. I love children. When you watch a child, you are seeing happiness. Watch them for a half of an hour and you will learn a lot,” Parent said.

A few years ago one of Parent's sons gave him a popular DVD. He credits what he learned from it (along with it's related book) as helping him to gain a deeper understanding of life.

“The Secret helped me to see that we attract good and the bad things in life by how we think. When you have a positive view of life, good things happen to you. The greatest power on Earth is the power to choose. Once you understand the process, you can create anything that you want,” Parent said.

Ed Snider

“I believe that he is one of the best owners in professional sports and has built his own economy. He is wise enough to realize that he needs a team. He is involved with his company, but allows people to have confidence in themselves and lets his team perform. Back in 1967-68 (the team's first year) he was sitting at the kitchen table with his wife, trying to determine how they would meet payroll. Now, he is one of the most successful individuals in the Delaware Valley,” Parent said.

Flyers 2010-2011

“I think this team has the whole package. They have a great coach (Peter Laviolette) who I really like. They have great forwards and great defenseman. They also have three good goalies, who understand the game. It's exciting because the Flyers have their deepest team in a long time. They aren't hoping to win, they know they can win. If they stay healthy, they have a good chance to win the whole thing,” Parent enthusiastically said.

Packs

“I consider myself to be a wolf, because I like the freedom of choice. Choice is very, very important to me. A wolf works in packs. So, everyone doesn't have to be like me, because people all have different talents,” Parent said.

He has employed the same strategy in his current pursuits that he did when he studied Plante's goaltending techniques. He studied successful business people for five years, so that he could begin to build his own business pack.

Parent concluded by saying, “Material possessions, like us, will come and go. I am grateful for what I have been able to attract. Life is a wonderful journey.”

Postscript

Growing up in the 1970's, I was naturally a Flyers fan and spent many great days playing street hockey with cousins and elementary school friends. My uncle created cool foam goalie pads that my cousin wore during our games in his garage. Every Sunday, while my Mom was making dinner, I would put my Bernie-style mask on and fend off shots from my Dad in our own basement rink.

After completing the interview, I began my journey back through the roads that I had traveled on a few hours earlier. As I did so, I could see in my memories that we all wanted to be who Bernie was back then. I also knew that I had just spoken with someone who enjoys being who he is today.

(Thank you to Dan Morroni, who is a custom tailor in the Philadelphia region.)
(My interview was initially provided to philly2philly.com.)

Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

December 20, 2022 – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

(Photo - Sean O'Brien)

Introductions

Philadelphia (10-15-7, 27 points) sits just ahead of the bottom team, Columbus (10-19-2, 22 points) in the Metropolitan division of the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference. The Flyers and Blue Jackets are just ahead of the Anaheim Ducks (21 points) and Chicago Blackhawks (18 points) with the lowest point totals in the NHL.

Like Brad Larsen's squad, John Tortorella's team has been impacted by many injuries. Last summer's debate about Johnny Gaudreau led to him signing with Columbus in July. He leads his team with 33 points (10 goals and 23 assists).

Columbus leads the four-game season series with one regulation and one overtime win.

The Flyers lost 6-3 to the New York Rangers at home on Saturday night. The Blue Jackets lost 2-1 at home to the Dallas Stars last night.

Anthem - Lauren Hart - Her voice and love for the game and the fans, like that of her iconic father and Flyers' broadcaster, Gene Hart, resonates in the listener's soul.

First period

Starting goaltenders – Philadelphia – Carter Hart, Columbus – Daniil Tarasov

Wade Allison, Kevin Hayes, and Zack MacEwen returned to the Flyers' lineup.

No sustained pressure on either side through the first half of the period.

First power play went to the Jackets due to Rasmus Ristolainen with at 12:58 left in the frame. However, Travis Konecny scored a shorty (thirteenth overall goal) at 13:58 remaining to give the Flyers the first tally. Assist to Scott Laughton)

Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 8

Score: Philadelphia - 1 Columbus - 0

Intermission – Mites On Ice, with Peanuts Christmas music equaled a crowd-pleaser.

Second period

Kirill Marchenko scored (third goal) at 5:58 into the frame. Assists to Jake Christensen and Eric Robinson.

Kent Johnson (eighth goal) put a wrister over Hart's left shoulder at 8:41 to give the Jackets a 2-1 lead. Assist to Gaudreau.

Moran Frost (sixth goal) took a pass from Cam York and snapped a wicked wrist shot past Tarasov at 10:04 to tie the game. Assists York and James van Riemsdyk.

Owen Tippett (ninth goal) worked a nifty give-an-go with Joel Farabee to the right of Tarasov on a power play to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead at 14:18.

The growth of the younger players on the roster was on display at points in this period. As Tortorella has often said, this season is about seeing what they have.

Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 12

Score: Philadelphia - 3 Columbus - 2

Intermission – More Mites

(Photo - Sean O'Brien)

Third period

Konecny, who had that Christmas pep in his step tonight, weaved into the offensive zone and threaded a backhanded wrister over the left shoulder of Tarasov to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead at 2:45. His second goal of the night and fourteenth of the season was unassisted.

Andrew Peeke (third goal) quickly entered the zone and snapped a strong wrist shot over Hart's left shoulder to close the gap to one goal at 11:11. Assists to Jack Roslovic and Gustav Nyquist.

Columbus pulled the goalie with approximately two minutes to go. But Tippett (tenth) netted an empty-netter to seal the game. His second of the night, unassisted at 18:41 to give Philadelphia a 5-3 victory. 

Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 13

Final Shots: Philadelphia 39 - Columbus - 33 

(Photo - Sean O'Brien)

Per the Flyers media relations department:

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella

 

How much of a factor was it for you guys to come back in that second period? They started to get some momentum on their side, you guys answered back and take it back, but how key was that for you guys?

Are you asking me if that was a key time? When we went down 2-1? Yeah, when we answered, tied it, and then scored another one – Tip’s goal – it just swings the momentum. Didn’t give. We give up some goals. We give up a lead, but we didn’t give. We crawled back in it and found a way.

 

Was Carter okay at the end? It looked like he was slow getting up.

I didn’t notice anything. I just left the bench. I did not see. No one’s told me anything.

 

This morning we talked about the power play and how the main focus for those guys was the entries, just getting into the zone. That unit didn’t end up with a goal on the power play – I believe it was Tippett’s goal at the end – but what did you see there, them being able to keep the puck in even after the power play ended?

We still struggle on the entry. It’s at a very dangerous area right at the blue line. I thought Tip has a good game as far as retrieving pucks and battling for pucks. I didn’t even see the goal, so I can’t even comment on it. Everybody stood up, so I couldn’t even see it. It’s a work in progress as far as our power play, especially the entry part.

 

You’ve talked a lot the last few weeks about the fact that you’re building something here. A game like this where you have a lot of the 25 and younger guys step up – TK, Tippett, Frost, Cam – does that make you excited for what this could be down the road?

As hard as it’s been to eat all the losses – for coaches, it’s hard – they’re the ones that play. I can imagine how they feel. There have been some good things going on as far as development, as far as individual players, and also our team concept. You got to hang your hat on somewhere or you’ll lose your mind. Those are the things we’re trying. We’re trying a little “small victories” as far as where we’re coming as individuals. I’ve seen players get better each game. I’ve seen our backend get better. Cam York – minor leagues worked. Lappy and those guys, that whole situation that you guys were pissing and moaning about when we sent him down – worked. Cam comes up and is trying to make a difference. Those are the things we’re trying just to build on and hopefully – 50 plus games here – hopefully we just get some consistency and maybe some results.

 

With Konecny, has he entered the point where you trust him in any situation – power play, shorthanded, up a goal, down a goal?

You see how I use him, so I trust him. I’m always looking for him. He does some crazy stuff at times. We need to work with situational play with him, but you’ve got to be really careful of how – he’s just a reaction type player – you got to be really careful how you coach him because I need to let him go. Teach him a couple things along the way, but I need to let him go because that’s when he’s at his best.

 

Have you seen the positive progression in the areas you need him to be better in?

Yeah, I think he’s cognizant – at least he tells me that before he goes out on the next shift. He’s a bundle of energy and I love that about him. With a bundle of energy, there’s going to be some crazy stuff that happens. I don’t want to overcoach him. When we get to being a team that is competing in big games, playoffs and all that, when we get there as a team, hopefully at that time, he’ll lead the way as far as situational play. He’s still a pretty young man in this game. I’m hoping he leads the way as far as understanding some of those things when you’re in those key type of situations.

 

What did you think of Wade Allison’s game? I think he missed about six weeks, and what did you think of Hayes’ game tonight too?

I’m not giving up Hayesy’s game. I’m not going to have the Kevin Hayes update. You guys are trying to pit him against me and me against him, which is so ludicrous. So, I’m not giving you any update on Kevin Hayes. Ally, straight ahead, had some good bangs. I think he probably played ten minutes. I can give you a better assessment when I watch the tape.

 

Going back to Konecny, he scored the first shorthanded goal of his career tonight. You’ve had him paired up with Scott Laughton on the penalty kill. What have you liked about that duo, not just from a penalty killing standpoint but also their ability to try to create some offense?

I don’t think he’s killed here before. At least that’s what he’s told me, which is shocking. I’m not criticizing the prior coaching staffs, but I just think he’s so good. I had Cam for six years. Him and Cam are very similar – they anticipate so very well as a penalty killer. That’s why they end up with scoring chances in those types of situations. Willing to block shots, their quickness to pucks – listen, he’s a key guy. As I said, I look for him in every situation and deservedly so.

 

You talked about how Cam York, since he’s come back up, he’s trying to make a difference. Are you kind of seeing the same thing with Morgan Frost, especially over these last few games?

Yeah, he’s growing. He scores another goal tonight. I think we put that line together and I think James has kind of steadied those two kids. I watch him tonight. I see him carry the puck more instead of just getting rid of it. I think the big part of his game is carrying the puck, bringing people to him, so he can make plays. For a big part of this season, he was just getting rid of the puck. I think he feels more confident. When you start getting some points and you score a couple goals with those offensive guys, that’s what happens. This is a big time for his career. He has a chance to show or not show. He’s going to get the opportunity throughout the rest of this year and I think he’s trying to cease it here.

 

We talked a lot about positives at times in losses and how that’s important to focus on, but you have two wins in your last three games. Is it still important to get results throughout this process?

Everybody wants results. You can’t minimize that. We always are preparing to win a hockey game. Players, that’s all they want to do is win. I have to, as the head coach of the team, understand some of the situations that some guys are in and where maybe we get overwhelmed at times. I got to make sure I keep patience as we’re building. Because we’re building. As you’re building, when you approach each and every game, you want to win. It’s my job and my coaching staff’s job to make sure we handle ourselves the right way. Players just want to play and win. We have to control circumstances and how we coach them when we’re not getting the results.

John Tortorella's Comments Intriguing - Danny Briere's Star to Shine in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella spoke with the media this week, as he regularly does, and offered an intriguing response to a question about his relationship with the team's management. 

He credited assistant general manager Brent Flahr. But Tortorella also praised the hockey mind of the special assistant to the general manager, Danny Briere. 

People can subjectively read between the lines now and refer back to the latter part of November 2022 to determine where Briere's ascension is realized, meaning with this or another organization, as the future unfolds.

Philadelphia Flyers Prepare To Establish 2022-23 Baseline Standard

The Philadelphia Flyers appear to see the 2022-23 season as one that will establish a baseline standard. The team, led by new head coach, John Tortorella, is not stocked to contend or, realistically, be a .500 team. 

So, an establishment of a what it means to be a Flyer is partially what the upcoming campaign will be about. Tortorella will lead the evaluation of the players who he believes can be part of a future that goes beyond this season. 

President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Chuck Fletcher, spoke to the media on Wednesday morning, with the season's first game being the next day, against the New Jersey Devils, on home ice in Philadelphia. 

The following is courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers media relations department:

President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Chuck Fletcher

Couturier’s been skating off and on, do you have a timetable of when he’ll be able to get in the lineup?

No timetable yet. I think he’s skated six or seven times now, I believe he was going to skate again today. He feels great, he’s progressing. If anything, we’re trying to slow him down from time to time. He’s really anxious to get back, but this is the best he’s felt since pre-surgery last year so we’re cautiously optimistic and hopefully he’ll continue to progress.

 

Where do you think the strengths are for your roster and where do you think the weaknesses are for things you’re going to figure out throughout the year?

Well, the strengths – this is a young, fast team. There’s 12 players on the 23-man roster that are 25 and under, I think 9 of them are 24 and under, so they’re a little bit unproven. That’s something we’re going to have to work through that Torts has been addressing, I think with you guys as well. We have a lot of work to do, but there’s a lot of upside, so I think the youth, the speed, the depth – we have really good depth this year, much better than we have the last two years, so if we do run into injuries, which seem to happen through the course of the season, I think we have a lot of kids down in Lehigh Valley we can call up. We have 23 on our roster now, and even though we’re on LTI, we have $3.9 million in LTI space now, and we can create more, obviously, if we want to carry fewer than 23, so I think we’re set up pretty well from that standpoint. We have a lot of work to do. We know that, we’ve been saying that. The players have been working hard. I’m sure some things, some of the systems play, specialty teams even, early in the season we’re going to have to work through some things. There’s great energy down there right now. I think the players are recharged after last season and I think everyone’s just excited to get playing.

 

It was a little bit of a surprise to see both Ronnie Attard and Egor Zamula on the roster. John had said that you guys weren’t going to keep them if they weren’t playing. Do you expect them to be in the opening night lineup? Where do they fit right now?

That’s what we’re going to see the next few days. If young players are not getting regular ice time here, clearly we’ll get them to Lehigh Valley at the appropriate point. I still think John is looking at the different combinations. I believe Zamula in particular has a strong chance to play tomorrow night, but we’ll see what John does today. I haven’t had a long chat with him yet, but we’ll just see how things play out the first couple games the next few days.

 

When we spoke to you back in September you mentioned that Ryan Ellis hadn’t been progressing. You put him on LTIR, do you have any update on how he’s doing now?

He’s continuing to rehab every day. He’s been in the facility a lot, but there’s been no substantial or substantive change in his situation.

 

Is surgery an option for him? I know you said during the summer it wasn’t, has that changed at all?

At this point, we’re continuing the process that we started a while ago and that Ryan’s been working hard at. We’ll just continue to see how things evolve.

 

Felix has put in a couple practices in a row, he sounded optimistic to be able to start the season on time. Was starting him on Injured Non-Roster just precautionary or did he have a setback?

No set back at all. It’s a groin strain. If he was a skater he could probably play, but with goaltenders you always want to be a little bit more careful. In case he had to get into the game as a backup, you’d hate to have him aggravate something. He’s continuing to practice in full. He truly is day-to-day so we’ll see how that plays out, but for right now I believe Sam Ersson will be the backup tomorrow.

 

What would you say the expectations are, and, in your mind, what would make this a good season for you guys?

In terms of expectations, it’s exactly what John and I have been saying. We expect to work hard this season. We expect to work hard at establishing a standard to which we’re going to be held on and off the ice. We’re expecting to defend much better, play harder away from the puck, be a more competitive team. Clearly we got to reduce our goals against. That’s something that you can control through hard work and structure and attention to detail, and that’s an area that coaches have been focused on in camp and we’ve spoken about a lot internally. To me, I’d like to see significant improvement in our compete, in our details, keeping the puck out of our net, allowing our goaltenders to see the puck a little cleaner. If we can do that, we’ll be a pretty competitive team.

 

One thing that John Tortorella said at the start of camp is that one thing that he’s good at as a coach is determining which players fit the program that he’s trying to build. How important of an aspect of this season is that – trying to figure out which guys should be part of this team moving forward?

That’s clearly one of John’s greatest strengths. I think the other one is actually developing young players. There’s no question this season we got to see who’s part of the solution going forward. Whether you’re a veteran player, whether you’re a younger player that’s trying to push and make their way into becoming full time NHLers. There certainly are some question marks in some of these players, and that’s what happens when you have a lot of young players. Again, they’re a little bit unproven, so there could be some ups and downs, but, on the other hand, there’s also potential to improve. Whether it’s as individuals, these players, or even collectively as a team, we feel we will get better as the season goes along.

 

As a follow up on that, how patient do you think you guys are going to be? Specifically with the young players, but also with the veterans in terms of if guys aren’t necessarily buying into what John is selling.

I don’t think there’ll be a lot of patience at all if you’re not buying in. Now, if you’re buying in, playing hard, and the production isn’t quite there, the results aren’t quite there, but you’re doing what’s asked of you, there’ll be a lot of patience, but there won’t be any patience for not buying in.

 

Couple players said over the last year or two that pressure in the offensive zone, attacking the net more, is the key to cutting down on the goals allowed, because you’re spending less time in your own end. Is that something that you and John are in agreement on, that you have to be more proactive here than react so much?

If you look at John’s teams historically, they’re strong puck possession teams. They have the ability to hold the puck in the offensive zone, and when you have the puck, obviously you don’t have to defend. Clearly, we got to get better defending, we got to defend harder, we got to defend faster. And the other part of our game last year that really struggled was our transition game. We weren’t very good at – one of the bottom five teams in the league I think – at getting out of our zone successfully, and that’s where you hope players like Zamula and Tony DeAngelo can really help you get the puck, get going. Clearly if we can have the puck, hold onto the puck, it should improve your offense, but, just as importantly, help you reduce your goals against.

 

You mentioned that Samuel Ersson is going to be the backup for the time being as Sandstrom gets healthy. How do you see – once Sandstrom does get back, and he is healthy, and he returns to the lineup – how do you see that competition? Is it over, how does it play out?

I don’t think the competition’s ever over. Again, there could be moves you have to make short-term, but I think – whether it’s the first month, the first couple months, even the first half of the year – I think you’re going to see a lot of movement between Lehigh Valley and here.

 

John said the other day he expected Cam Atkinson to be on the ice today. How’s he doing, any update on him?

I haven’t seen Cam yet; he is back in the building. He is going to get on the ice today in some fashion, and we’ll just see where he’s at. I know he feels great, he feels much better than he did last week. He’s progressed, and I guess we’ll have to see what that means.

 

How concerned are you that he, Carter Hart, a couple of other guys didn’t play in any preseason games? Does that worry you at all?

It’s sort of the reality. I don’t think there’s much we can do about that now. You’re actually seeing that more and more in other sports as well. I think in the NFL, a lot of the vets don’t even get a snap in preseason anymore. Its probably not ideal, but these guys are professionals, they’re working hard, and I assume over a couple games they’ll get going.

 

How do you think that Ronnie Attard and Egor Zamula improved during the preseason with their decision making, and how did that factor into keeping them on the roster?

Zamula had a really tough first shift in the rookie camp game, and I thought from that point on he actually kept getting better and better. He has great poise with the puck, he sees the ice so well, he’s got great length and reach. He put on about 10 pounds of muscle this summer, he can still continue to get stronger, but for right now, after two years in the American league, I’m kind of excited to see what he can do up here. Let’s see if we can develop him more up here versus just another season in the American league. That’ll be up to him how he plays. Ronnie, similar, I thought he was trying to do a lot early, trying to impact the play all over the ice in every situation early in camp. I know John and Brad Shaw had some good conversations with him. I thought he settled down and still was getting a lot of shots, was still being aggressive, but being a little bit more controlled in his defensive play. He’s a player that’s very close to playing. Whether its right now or whether he needs a little bit of time, we’ll see, but I just love the energy he brings, I love the size he brings. He’s a little bit unpredictable which I think is great. Not a cookie cutter player, but he can impact the game in so many different ways. Again, whether he's ready right now, we’ll see, but he’s here for a reason, because he’s earned the right to be here.

 

We talked to John a few days before the roster was finalized about Hayden Hodgson and he said that his camp was OK. He didn’t seem terribly excited by what he’d seen, but he said that a lot of people in the organization are really high on him. What went into the decision to keep him and keep him on the roster given the fact that it doesn’t sound like he really blew the doors off in camp?

I don’t think he had a bad camp. I really liked his first game. I thought the other games he played he was probably a little bit too safe, maybe even a little bit in-between. He wasn’t bringing that physical nature that he has. He’s a big, heavy guy. He can impact the play on the forecheck. He’s got a great shot. He’s just a young man that essentially has been an ECHL player until last year. Even though he’s 27, I still think there’s some untapped potential there. I think playing at a higher level, as he continues to adjust to the pace here, that he can improve and can continue to round out his game. Clearly what we saw last year – whether it was Lappy, Brent, Danny, me – we had a lot of time, and we’re very impressed with what he did last season, so that certainly bought him the opportunity to be here now. He knows he has to step up a bit, and he’ll get that opportunity.

 

Just curious to see if you’ve had any discussions with Ivan Fedotov’s agent and is there any hope that he’ll be here at some point during the season, or is that something that you’re not even worried about now or thinking about?

There’s really been no change. He continues to be under contract to us. He continues to serve his time in the Russian Navy, and other than that there really hasn’t been any change or any update.

 

You’re going to start this season without a Captain. Were you heavily involved in that decision, and how important is it to get the right guys to wear the As, home and away?

I’ve had a few conversations with John on that, and I think even John mentioned it – we have a lot of priorities, that’s just probably not towards the top of the list right now. I think there is some very good leaders in this group, and guys that can certainly wear a letter and have a lot of experience. I think what he wants to do is, let’s just get into the season, let’s see how players adjust, let’s see how players buy-in, and let’s see where we’re at in a little bit of time. And when there’s a decision to be made, we’ll be ready to make it.

 

You got a 14-game look at Noah Cates last year, he had a very impressive camp. One of the areas that John, and before him, Mike Yeo, had said was an area of concern was the young players and the team as a whole wasn’t handling adversity in games. They’d play well when things were going well and then kind of blend in and play the way everybody did when things weren’t going so well. Is Noah, being an exception to that, is that something that other players can look at and think this is how we have to play?

The way he’s played so far, I think every player on our team can look at his habits, his work ethic – his hockey sense is off the charts. Can move him around different positions, move him up and down your lineup. He’s playing a big role right now. That’s, to me, kind of an exciting line for our franchise. With Farabee and Tippett, and right now you got JVR with Frost and Allison, so that’s five younger guys in your middle six group, if you will. I think, not even just Noah, but some of these players now, they’re young, but they’ve had some experience, players like Frost and Tippett for example. Even Allison and Laczynski are 25 now. At some point you got to grab that opportunity and you got to rise above what Mike Yeo spoke about last year, and you hope that with continued experience and getting these reps, that that’s something they can grow into, where their game doesn’t change regardless of the score, and they can continue to take steps forward, and I’d be surprised if many of them don’t. Again, most of them have had very good camps.

 

You mentioned the improvements of Ronnie Attard and Egor Zamula throughout the course of camp, we talked to John about this too, what kind of separated the two of them from Cam York, whether it was buy-in, execution, and ultimately what lead to York being sent down to the AHL?

Cam’s a really good young player and he’s going to be a big part of our future. I spoke to you guys about this earlier in the Summer, the things he does well are the things we need for our group going forward. But he’s 21. His camp was OK. We just felt at this stage, with his age and relative lack of experience, that the best place for him is in Lehigh Valley. Lappy’s going to give him a great chance to play in every situation. Again, it’s going to be a fluid situation, there’s going to be movement, but I think allowing Cam to get big minutes in Lehigh Valley right now is the best thing, not only for him, but for our team if we want him to be that player going forward.

 

John’s a coach that likes to have his input on players and decisions, he’s a pretty fiery guy, just curious as to what your relationship has been like with him and how’s it grown throughout the preseason?

It’s been great. If you see the show The Standard that we put out, I just saw a cut of it, the one that’s going out tonight, I think it’s pretty good, you’ll see a lot of that interaction. He’s been great. He, honestly, hasn’t come in and demanded anything, “you need to get this player, you need to get that”. He wants to work with young players, “whoever you give me I’ll work with”. Now, he has opinions on those players, and you guys will know it without him even saying it, you’ll know how he feels about a player, but I think that’s great. It’s brutal honesty. The players have embraced it, and he never holds a grudge. He could have a confrontation with a player in the morning and that afternoon he’s chatting with them in the lunchroom, and the next day it’s like nothing happened. Everything he does is about making a player better. It’s never personal. I’ve been really impressed with how he ran this camp, I thought it was a great camp, and I’m excited to see what he can do. Again, his track record of bringing along young players and helping veteran players get back to where they need to be is pretty much unparalleled, in my opinion.

 

You mentioned the Eagles and the Phillies at the start, the fact that their fanbase is excited right now, and your attendance was declining the last year or so, what’s your message to the fanbase? That this is a young team that’s going to be exciting to watch? What’s the selling point here?

We’re going to get better. I think we are an exciting young team. We’re going to be fast, we’re going to be aggressive. Right now, we’re working hard to come together as a group. Like everybody, you get your 20-odd days in camp, and you’re throwing line combinations together now, we’re still working on systems, but I see a lot of potential for this group to grow. I think we have some good young talent, and I think we’re going to be an improved team and a team that’s really fun to watch.

 

I know you’re always looking to improve your team in some way, but compared to what you have here, the young guys, what you have at your disposal in Lehigh as well, how active do you intend on being in terms of mining the waiver wire as teams get sorted out over these next couple weeks?

We were watching the waiver wire like everybody, but going back to what I said before, I think our depth is pretty good. You look at D, we’re ten, eleven deep that can play up here. Obviously, a lot of forwards that can play here. A lot of young players that I think need an opportunity. So, I think before we start looking outside the organization, let’s see what we have inside. And again, for the most part, you guys have watched most of camp, I think most of the young players have played pretty well and look like they’re improved. And I think right now, if they continue to work and do what John asks, we need to give them the opportunity to show what they are. Going back to Charlie’s question earlier, this is a year we got to find out who’s part of the solution going forward, and hopefully a lot of these players grab that opportunity.

Philadelphia Flyers Add To Forward Depth: First Round NHL Draft Selection - Cutter Gauthier

Per the Philadelphia Flyers Media Relations Department: 

With the overall 5^th pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers select Cutter Gauthier from the US National Development Team Program.

First Round (5th Overall) – Cutter Gauthier, U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP_

Left Wing – 6-2, 189 lbs.

Born on January 19, 2004 in Skellefteå, Sweden

 • Recorded 65 points (34g-31) in 54 games for the USNTDP, his first full season with the team… He ranked second on the team with his 34 goals.

• He helped lead Team USA to a silver medal at this year’s IIHF U-18 World Championships recording nine points (3g-6a) in six games.

• Also played for the U.S. National U-17 team where he posted 20 goals and 37 points in 44 games

• Is committed to playing for the Boston College next season (2022-23).

• Was born in Sweden where his father, Sean Gauthier, was a goalie in the Swedish Elite League.

Philadelphia Flyers LW/C Cutter Gauthier

 

What does it feel like when you heard your name called?

It’s such a surreal moment. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of, growing up hearing my named called one day. I’m so happy that the Philadelphia Flyers are the one to do it. I’m extremely excited for the future and to see what it holds.

 

Cutter, did you have a pretty good inkling that the Flyers were heavily interested in you?

Yeah, I think so. I think I had a really good interview with them over the course of the combine and yesterday. It was nice talking with them and catching up. I thought we had a good bond in those meetings and I definitely thought they were interested in me, for sure.

 

[Inaudible question]

Yeah. It’s awesome. It’s bright orange, so it’s awesome. You definitely stand out and I love that. I’m extremely excited to be a part of this organization and see what the future holds.

 

With the U.S. National Team, you were playing on the wing and now you’ll be playing center. How would you describe the game playing center?

That is something I’ve developed over the past two years. Shooting versatile, where I can play left or right wing and center, if that being the case. I’ve displayed my message to the Philadelphia Flyers that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, whether that’s on the wing or center. I’m willing to do whatever. I’m excited to be a center or left wing in the future.

 

Can you also talk about the physical side of the game?

That’s something I’ve developed over the past two years with the program. They’ve developed me into such a great player. That’s one of the things I’ve added to my game. I wasn’t really physical growing up. As big body as I am, it creates time and space for my teammates to make future plays. It’s a big help in my game today.

 

It’s a big crowd tonight from the US NTDP. What makes this crowd so special?

It’s super cool. I’ve heard such great things about Philadelphia Flyers. Talking with them, I felt I had such a good connection with them. I’m excited to see the near future, get out to development camp next week and have a great week.

 

Your mother’s from Reading. What does it mean to have such a connection to the state and area?

It’s been awesome. She’s had nothing but the best about the Philadelphia fanbase and all the fans out there. My aunt on my mom’s side of my family lives out there, so it’s pretty cool. They don’t have to move anywhere to watch me play hockey. It’s awesome. I’m super excited for it. It’s great.

 

What’s part of your game we don’t talk about much?

I think my compete. That’s something I’ve developed as well over the past two years. The dog and the bone mentality. You’re not going to go in the corner and beat me out to the net. I’m coming out of the corner with that puck. My compete, for sure.

 

When do you feel you’ll be ready to play pro?

I think one year in the NCAA, then I’ll be ready to play in the National Hockey League. Hopefully, help the Philadelphia Flyers win a Stanley Cup in the near future.

 

What did they say they were most excited about when you talked with them? Where do they want to see you grow?

I’m super excited to have the opportunity to be with them. They did not really display too much of that message. It was kind of a jack of all trades. We didn’t really know what was going on, but I’m super happy to be here. I’m so happy to be picked by the Philadelphia Flyers. We’ll see what happens in the future.

 

Was the draft rankings something you paid attention to? Was it exciting to see your stock go up as the weeks by and did you pay attention to it?

Yes and no. I see a couple things if they pop up on my Instagram. I don’t really go in-depth with all of that stuff. I like to work hard. It shows on the ice all the stuff I do behind the scenes that does not get shown. It’s nice to see all the hard work pay off as I’m rising up the boards.

 

You seem pretty excited right now. Was last night a restless night?

I’ve done everything I can to be where I am today. I’ve put in hard work over the past 18 years to get to where I am. I had great night of sleep last night. There’s nothing else I could’ve done. I was super happy with everything I did.

 

Is Cutter your given name?

Yes. My grandmother from Philly, over in Sweden, was cooking that night and she found it in a Swedish cookbook. I love my name. It’s great.

 

What did your dad mean to you growing up, having played pro hockey and what did he impart on you?

I think the mentality. It doesn’t matter where you are now. It matters what you’re going to do now to get to the next level in the future. He’s played at the highest level in the National Hockey League. I’ve seen what it takes to get there. He’s displayed that message on how hard work and all the little things pays off. I’m just trying to do everything I can to get to the next level.

 

Do you get back much to Sudbury, Ontario?

Ever since the pandemic, I haven’t been able to see my grandparents or any of my dad’s side of my family in 2 -3 years. I usually go up every summer and spend some time with them. I have a couple of family friends here from Sudbury. It’s good to see those people, especially after tonight. I try to get there as much as I can, but it has been tough with COVID.

 

What is it like to know you are a part of the same organization that your dad has a connection to?

It’s awesome. My dad played many years and he’s got many connections. It’s pretty cool to see that the Philadelphia Flyers are one of them. I’m super excited to be a part of this organization and to have a couple of strings attached to the team is pretty cool too.

 

What does it mean that for you and Logan Cooley to get drafted?

We’re good buddies. We have been teammates a lot. Over the past two years, him and I have been on the same line, second half of the season. We have built a pretty good bond over the past half of the season there and it showed on the ice. It’s pretty cool to see him go to the team he wanted. I’m happy to see that for him.

 

Why do you think your game can translate to center full time?

I think developing all the skills as a center or a wing to get to the next level. I think I’m the complete package. I have all the skills to be a center or left wing at the NHL level. I think it’s up to the team to make that decision in the near future.

 

Where’s your confidence come from?

I think just through all the hard work I put in. There’s nothing else I would’ve left one the table. I worked my butt off to get to where I am today and it’s all the little things to get here. I’m super excited for this moment and super confident as well.

 

John Tortorella really wants his forwards to play defense?

I think I’m the complete package as I’ve said earlier. I think the defensive side of the game is a big part of my game as well. Taking control of the defensive zone, whether playing the wing or being there for your defenseman. Helping your defenseman down low. I think it plays a big role in winning hockey. I don’t think you’re going to get to the next level if you’re lazy on defense.

 

Have they told you which position the prefer you at?

They didn’t really tell me, whether it was left wing, center or right wing, so I don’t really know yet. We will see in the near future.

 

[Inaudible question]

I think increasing the type of play to get to get to the next level. It’s the National Hockey League and it’s the fastest league in the world. If I can get used to the pace and play as soon as possible and develop those skills at Boston College, I’m really looking forward to it.

 

Any player you’re looking to meeting the most?

Kevin Hayes, actually. He went to Boston College. It’s pretty cool to see how his path kind of aligned with mine.

 

How exciting to join fellow Boston College alumni players?

It’s awesome. They went to Boston College and that’s where I’m headed. It’s pretty cool to see how Boston College has developed their players to get to the NHL and how well they do with their development and how they treat their players. It’s a testament to their character. I’m excited to be part of that family.

 

Any current NHL players you try to model your game after?

I try to model my game after Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois. Both big power forwards with lots of skill. Can control the pace of play at any time. I was actually fortunate enough to meet Mark Scheifele where I work out. He’s been a great leader and he’s been nothing but the best to me. It’s been cool to see him in the gym and how hard he works.

 

 

Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chuck Fletcher

 

What was it about Cutter Gauthier that made you think he had to be a pick at number 5?

I think it’s a combination of things. Obviously, his size, strength, speed. Very athletic. His testing was off the charts. On the ice, he is physical. He scores goals. He has good hands. It’s really hard to find a player that can be a potential power forward in the National Hockey League. He has a lot of those attributes. We’ll see how he develops and he’s going to a good program at Boston College. Not sure if you had a chance to speak with him, but he has lots of energy and certainly lots of juice to him, both on and off the ice.

 

Do you guys see him as a center? I know he is going to play center at Boston College. Are you drafting him assuming he going to be a center in the NHL?

That’s certainly our hope. He can play both positions. We feel he plays well at center. I know Boston College intends to use him that way next year. We want the process to play out, but he was a young man that can play both positions.

 

Did the picks at 1 through 4 impact your decision?

We had him very high on our list. Cleary there were some top players that went before us and some very good players after us too. It’s a relatively flat draft. I think I’ve said that before. There are still some very good players getting drafted right now. We are really happy with Cutter. We like the position versatility. The fact about size, strength and skill, all those attributes. I think he has the chance to be a pretty good player.

 

How does Cutter’s skill set lend itself to the aspirations of the team? Playing harder?

He skates well. Again, he can hit. He works. He’s a big man that can control the puck down low in the offensive zone. He can hold on to the puck. He can hold off defenders with the size and strength. I think he allows you to play a possession type of game. Again, his size and physicality. He’s somebody that can play power play and penalty kill. He’s really used in all situations on the Under-18 team. There’s certainly a lot to work with there.

 

You said the expectation on when the can contribute depends on the players. He said he wants to get here. What are your thoughts on that now that you have you player?

He will be going to Boston College next year. We’ll go from there. There’s no rush for us. Again, he has some physical attributes. Maybe you could put him on the team and see what he can do, but I think he’s best served by climbing another step. Even though the Under-18 team play a lot of college programs, to play a full year of hockey collegiately, while you’re in college, you have to balance studies with hockey and working out. It’s a great opportunity for him to mature on and off the ice and hopefully compete for a World Junior spot next year.

 

Other than size and skill what are the other attributes?

I think he rose on most teams’ list. Two seasons ago, he played well too. I don’t know if I can answer that. Maybe Brent can answer that better. Watching him play, for me, he was a pretty good player all year. Maybe it took us a little bit of time to recognize that. I got to see him play some games at center and on the wing. He played well. He played well throughout the year. I’ll let Brent answer that tomorrow when you ask him that.

 

How important was it to get a guy with a high ceiling?

Yes, absolutely. It was an upside play. I think he’s a good player. Everybody has a backup game, I guess you’d call it. He certainly has upside. The way he shoots the shots the puck; the way he drives with the puck. Again size, strength. He brings so many attributes that every team could use more, including ours. He’s extremely athletic. His test results at the combine were impressive and he still feels he can get stronger. He’s a better judge of that than we are, but he works hard and pretty relentless kid. Pretty impressive the level of maturity he has showing now. It’s exciting seeing what he can do.

 

What elements of his game need to become more polished in order for him to become an effective NHL player?

Usually for young players, it’s just consistency. Again, I think he was pretty consistent for his age group. As you climb the ladder, best players bring it every night or at least have small drop off between game to game, at worst. Consistency will be one thing. Again, it’s just going to be doing it against bigger, faster, and stronger players. He can probably improve everything, but in his age group, he’s pretty top end.

 

You mentioned Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois as models of the game. Does Cutter share similar elements in his game?

Yeah, for sure. Even little parts of Jeff Carter, at times. They’re a little bit different players. Kind of those big centerman that can come through the middle of the ice with the puck. Again, if he ends up playing on the wing, he can hand the puck off the wing and drive the net. He’s just a big power forward. Some differences with Scheifele, but some similarities to Dubois, those types of players. It will be interesting to see where he can get to. His athleticism is off the charts, so it would be interesting to see if there’s even another level of speed, strength, and everything that he can attain at Boston College.

 

Was confidence something that stood out?

Yeah, confident. Energetic. Personable. He showed a lot of compassion for his teammates. He talked about his teammates in a really positive fashion. Confident, but yet I think the team orientation is really strong. He’s coming out of Arizona and climbing the ranks, through Michigan, and into the program. He’s had to move a bit. Make a lot of different clubs. To his credit, he’s found a way to continue to get better. I’m sure that does instill a little confidence in him.

 

What did you see when it came to his least talked about quality, “compete”?

Just strong work ethic. Willing to play physically. When he played on the Under-18 team and played against colleges, he didn’t back down physically. He was still making contact, taking contact. I agree. I think he’s a very competitive player and a very driven player.

 

Are you potentially looking to get a second-round pick?

Certainly, we’ll look at that if there are opportunities. We have a very early third round pick, so I think we’re pretty confident that someone we like and would possibly take in the second round would fall to that spot. I think we’re comfortable with where we’re picking, but you’re always looking for those opportunities.

 

Are you thinking about being involved in the trade market tomorrow?

Well, there’s been a lot of dialogue. I can tell you that. We’ll see. There’s potentially something that could happen tomorrow. I could also see things happening later on in the week, closer to the start of free agency.

 

Are you making an effort to take a shoot first guy early in the draft, like Tyson?

We certainly have been looking for forwards with offensive upsides. Again, a little bit different player, but they both have good size. Cutter’s probably a little better skater than Tyson at the same age, but they are both competitive, high hockey sense players. They can shoot the puck and are willing to work hard. I think we always want skill, but preferably if we can get skill in a little bigger package, that is a good thing too.