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Quick Hits: WJSS Final Day, LeClair, TIFH (Forsberg) |
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Quick Hits: August 3, 2024
1) There were two wild games played on Friday at the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan. Both the Canada vs. Finland and USA vs. Sweden games saw one side get out to a seemingly insurmountable lead and then have to scramble near the end to hold off a late charge by their opponent. Canada defeated Finland, 8-6. Sweden defeated Team USA, 7-5.
Denver Barkey, a full-time winger last season with the OHL's London Knights, played second-line center at 5-on-5 for Team Canada on Friday, in addition to receiving second-unit power play time and playing on the penalty kill. Offensively, Barkey collected a secondary assist on a Tij ginla goal and later earned the primary assist on a nice setup to Riley Heidt. Barkey's London teammate, Oliver Bonk, did not play in this game after playing in Canada's previous game against Sweden.
Flyers 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko played fourth-line center for Canada. He was involved in two prime scoring chances -- one on the setup side, one off the rush for his own chance -- but did not record a point. Flyer defense prospect Carter Sotheran started at right defense on Canada's third pairing. He played a physical and feisty game. Flyers goalie prospect Carson Bjarnason got the start in net for the Canadian side, playing half the game and stopping eight of nine shots on goal.
Heikki Ruohonen, who had been centering Finland's third line in his first three games at the WJSS, was bumped up to the top line. He had an uneven performance against Canada but had some encouraging shifts as the match progressed.
In the USA vs. Sweden game, Flyers 2024 second-round pick Jack Berglund was one of the standouts for the Junior Crowns side. He scored the Swedes' second goal of the game, won several puck battles and later set up a good scoring chance. Berglund missed a couple shifts after he got clipped by a high stick and had to go off for stitches, but he returned to the game.
Flyers power forward prospect Noah Powell, who has dressed as the 3rd/4th line right winger in two games for USA Blue and one for the combined Team USA roster, did not play in Friday's game.
2) The WJSS wraps up on Saturday with two games. At 1:00 p.m., Sweden plays traditional arch-rival Finland. At 4:00 p.m., Team USA hosts Team Canada.
3) USA Hockey Hall of Famer and Flyers Hall of Famer John LeClair will be doing a meet-and-greet autograph signing on Sunday from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT at the Dick's Sporting Goods location in Pottstown, PA.
4) Speaking of LeClair, the former Legion of Doom member and current Flyers player development coach will be one of the coaches at the upcoming Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp at the Class of 1923 Rink on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. The camp runs from August 16 to 19). All player registration slots -- for the 10th straight year -- are sold out. However, games are open and free for the public to attend. The full list of coaches follows.
Team Results Guaranteed: Danny Briere, Brad Marsh, Dave Poulin
Team Toyota: Andre Dupont, John LeClair, Patrick Sharp
Team Neumann: Ian Laperriere, Keith Jones, Joe Watson
Team River Rock: Mark Howe, Mark Recchi, Paul Holmgren
5) August 3 Flyers Alumni birthday: Mark Lamb (1964)
6) Today in Flyers History: On August 3, 2005, the Flyers sign superstar unrestricted free agent center Peter Forsberg to a two-year, $11.5 million contract. With a new salary cap in place, the Flyers need to make a move to become compliant. The next day, Jeremy Roenick agrees to a trade to the Los Angeles Kings for future considerations.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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