Quick Hits: August 2, 2023
1) Flyers Daily: There has never been a question about whether Alex Bump has above-average offensive ability. The 19-year-old Minnesota native has always shown excellent hands and ability to read the play offensively. It's been his 200-foot game and skating that have been works in progress. He's making good progress in those areas, although his offensive numbers were a tad (not concerningly) below expectations at the USHL level in 2022-23. Bump was one of the standouts at the Flyers' recent Development Camp, especially in the scrimmage on the final day of camp.
Bump spoke one-on-one with Jason Myrtetus for an episode of Flyers Daily. The interview airs on today's edition. Note: the interview was conducted before Bump decided not to attend and play for the University of Vermont in 2023-24 (The decision was likely related to head coach Todd Woodcroft's dismissal in a scandal involving the hockey coach allegedly sending inappropriate texts to a student. Woodcroft, a former Winnipeg Jets assistant coach, had been instrumental in Bump's recruitment to the UVM program). Bump had reportedly been on campus and practicing with the Catamounts team this summer before making a final decision to enter the NCAA transfer protocol. Bump will have the option of returning to the USHL for the 2023-24 season and retaining all four years of NCAA Division 1 hockey eligibility.
During the short interview, Bump discussed his progression so far and his personal expectations moving forward. There's also an update on the World Junior Summer Showcase. To listen to the 11-minute episode,
click here.
2) World Junior Summer Showcase: Today's games at the WJSS should be interesting ones with all four teams (USA White, USA Blue, Sweden and Finland) entering with 1-1-0 records. At 1:00 p.m. EDT, traditional archrivals Finland and Sweden square off with one another. At 4:00 p.m. EDT, USA White (Cutter Gauthier, Devin Kaplan) goes head to head with USA Blue (Cole Knuble). In addition to the participating Flyers prospects, the latter game will feature incoming Boston College freshmen and now-former USNTDP linemates Ryan Leonard (USA White), Will Smith (USA Blue) and Gabe Perrault (USA Blue) on competing sides. Live streams of all WJSS games can be purchased on
usahockeytv.com.
3) Today in Flyers History: August 2
* 1967: The Flyers' first pick in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft, goalie Bernie Parent, becomes the first player to sign an NHL contract with the fledgling franchise.
* 1993: The Flyers sign veteran checking forward Dave Tippett as a free agent to a one-year contract.
* 2004: Although there was a looming lockout in the NHL, the Flyers re-signed restricted free agent left winger Simon Gagne to a one-year contract.
* 2005: The Flyers sign three defensemen as unrestricted free agents, bringing in Derian
Hatcher (four years, $14 million), Mike Rathje (five years, $17.5 million) and bringing back Chris Therien (one year, $500,000). The club also signed forward Jon Sim to a one-year deal.
* 2022: The Flyers re-sign restricted free agent Zack MacEwen to a one-year deal.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»