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Quick Hits: September 2, 2022
1) The Flyers posted videos of Travis Sanheim arriving at the Flyers Training Center for pre-camp workouts and of Travis Konecny working out in the FTC's facilities. In addition to those two veterans, players such as Cam Atkinson, Scott Laughton, Joel Farabee (rehab), Rasmus Ristolainen, newcomer Nicolas Deslauriers, Zack MacEwen, Tony DeAngelo and young defenseman Cam York are already on site. Rookie hopefuls Wade Allison, Tyson Foerster, Egor Zamula, Zayde Wisdom, and Wyatte Wylie have also been informally skating and working out on site.
Reminder: Sept. 14 is the official reporting date for Rookie Camp while veterans are required to report for NHL Camp on Sept. 21.
2) Friday's edition of Flyers Daily is a follow-up to the podcast earlier this week in which host Jason Myrtetus asked listeners what the Flyers mean to them personally and what do they consider their own top priorities to see from the team. In this edition, Myrtetus reads some of the responses. To listen, click here.
3) Beginning on Sept. 6, the Flyers will be running a three-part preseason docuseries on their official YouTube page. The series is called "Beyond the Boards" and will be similar in nature to the "Behind the Glass" series that NHL Network aired in 2019.
4) Today marks the 50th anniversary of Game 1 of the legendary 1972 Summit Series between Team Canada and the USSR. There are many fine retrospectives on the series that have been posted today, as well as 50 Nifty Facts article that is worth checking out.
From a Flyers standpoint, the Summit Series marked a breakthrough in the still-young career of 23-year-old center Bobby Clarke. It was during this series that he first rose to wider prominence across the hockey world. Within the next year, he'd become the Flyers captain and win the first of his three Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player.
It was also during the Summit Series that the infamous slashing incident involving Clarke and Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov unfolded in Game 6. The incident is surrounded in so much lore (and, frankly, exaggeration in the retelling) that it took on a life of its own.
What happened: With Canada leading 3-1 in the third period and the teams skating 4-on-4, Clarke pursued Kharlamov as the Russian forward entered the Team Canada zone. He delivered a nasty two-hander with a downward chop to the high-scoring rival's ankle.
Kharlamov stayed on his feet, and the Soviets had a scoring chance. Gary Bergman blocked the shot and touched the pick as the whistle blew for a stoppage on the delayed slashing penalty. Kharlamov then skated over to Clarke to confront him. They had a stare-down and Kharlamov shoved Clarke, with Team Canada's Gary Bergman coming over in Clarke's defense.
What did not happen: Contrary to some accounts, Kharlamov didn't "fall in a heap" to the ice. His ankle was not broken, much less "shattered". In reality, he sustained a deep bruise. Kharlamov was sidelined for Game 7 of the series but returned to play in Game 8.
In Game 8, Kharlamov assisted on a Vladimir Lutchenko power play goal that briefly gave the USSR a 2-1 lead before Brad Park tied the game. Canada went on to prevail in the game, 6-5, on Paul Henderson's famous series-winning tally late in the third period.
Kharlamov missed no time in the ensuing'1972-73 Soviet Ice Hockey League regular season, which began shortly after the Summit Series. Kharlamov won the league's equivalent of the Hart Trophy as MVP. Not bad for a player with a "shattered" ankle.
The next time Kharlamov would enter the consciousness of most Flyers fans was during the Red Army's 1975-76 tour of Canada and the United States to play against NHL opponents. It was Kharlamov that was on the receiving end of a first period hit by Flyers defenseman Ed van Impe. He laid on the ice trying to get a penalty call that was not forthcoming. CKSA coach Konstatin Loktev then had his team walk off the ice (receiving a delay of game penalty in the process). The protest backfired. After the Red Army routine returned to the ice about 15 minutes later, the Flyers scored on the power play. Philadelphia won, 4-1.
5) Sept. 2 Flyers Alumni birthdays: Michel Belhumeur (1949), Paul Guay (1963), Petr Hubacek (1979).
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