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Quick Hits: Bump, TIFH and More |
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Quick Hits: August 4, 2022
1) Flyers 2022 fifth-round (133rd overall) draft pick Alex Bump has been selected as the 2022 USA Today Hockey Player of the Year; an award for the top high-school or prep school player in the United States. The 6-foot, 195 pound left winger racked up 43 goals and 81 points as a senior for the Prior Lake Lakers (Minnesota) High School in 2021-22.
The Lakers finished fourth in the Minnesota state championship tournament. In Prior Lake's 6-0 quarterfinal win over Cretin-Derham Hall, Bump figured in all six goals with five goals and an assist. Earlier, the team won the Section 2AA championship. In the final game, Bump collected five points (four goals, one assist) in a 7-4 victory.
Bump was a Mr. Hockey finalist this past year but did not win Minnesota's top high school hockey honor. However, he was named the Associated Press' High School Player of the Year along with the USA Today honor.
Bump also played 27 games at the USHL level this past season, posting 11 goals and 17 points in the regular season. He added three points (2g, 1a) in four playoff games.
Bump was projected to be selected in roughly the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He slipped to the fifth round. The Flyers did not interview Bump during the NHL Draft Combine but felt comfortable enough in this range to select the player.
Bump, who is a very self-confident player, admitted after the Flyers selected him that he was hoping to go earlier than the fifth round but was relieved to have been drafted. He said that he considers himself a natural offensive player, citing his hands and puck skills as his No. 1 attributes, and that he's a player who relished big-game pressure.
The knock on Bump is that he doesn't embrace off-puck play as wholeheartedly as he pounces on scoring opportunities. Critics say that he needs more shift-in and shift-out focus and competitiveness on an every-game basis.
Bump will play one more USHL season. He will join the University of Vermont in 2023-24.
2) Today in Flyers History: Aug. 4, 2005
In order to make room under the newly created NHL salary cap to accommodate recently signed unrestricted free agent center Peter Forsberg, the Flyers had to move out veteran Jeremy Roenick. On Aug. 4, 2005, the Flyers traded Roenick and Nashville's previously acquired 2006 third-round draft pick to the LA Kings for future considerations.
3) Today in Flyers History: Aug. 4, 2006
In an ill-fated trade, the Flyers sent two-way center Michal Handzus to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Kyle Calder. Calder was coming off a 25-goal, 59-point season for the Blackhawks the previous year but struggled both on and off the ice during a 59-game stint with the Flyers in 2006-07.
On Feb. 26, 2007, the Flyers dealt Calder back to Chicago in exchange for defenseman Lasse Kukkonen and a 2007 third-round pick (Garrett Klotz). The Hawks then quickly flipped Calder to Detroit for Jason Williams to complete a three-team trade.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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