MELTZER'S MUSINGS: AUGUST 15

* Today is Flyers forward Jakub Voracek's 26th birthday. The 2015-16 will be his fifth as a Flyer since coming over from the Columbus Blue Jackets -- along with the 2011 first-round pick the Flyers used on the selection of Sean Couturier and the 2011 third-round selection used on Nick Cousins -- in exchange for Jeff Carter. With one year remaining on his current contract and an eight-year extension set to kick in for the 2016-17 season, Voracek figures to be in Philadelphia for many years to come.

Through his first four seasons in Philadelphia, Voracek has compiled some impressive numbers. He has missed only four games -- none in the last three seasons -- and has already dressed in 290 regular season games and 18 playoff games (four goals, 10 assists, 14 points). For his regular-season career with the Flyers, Voracek has 85 goals, 153 assists and 238 points (0.82 points per game).

A little-known fact about Voracek is that the Flyers considered trading down in the 2007 NHL Draft and Voracek (ultimately selected seventh overall by Columbus) would have been their pick had they parted with the second overall pick (James van Riemsdyk) to accept an offer from the Edmonton Oilers that would have included the sixth overall pick.

* Alumni birthdays: Today is former Flyers goaltender Martin Biron's 38th birthday. Helmetless center Craig MacTavish turns 57 today. The late Jim Cunningham would have turned 59 today.

* Cunningham, a minor league tough guy who became a fan favorite while a member of the AHL's Maine Mariners, played his lone NHL game for the Flyer on Feb. 28, 1978, when the Flyers visited the Boston Bruins. Looking to make an immediate impression, he made a beeline for Boston's Terry O'Reilly. The linesmen pulled them apart before a full-fledged fight developed, so the two were sent off on double roughing minors rather than fighting majors. Cunningham finished the game, which ended in a 4-4 tie, as a plus-one. He did not register a point.

On April 29, 2011, Cunningham died near his home in Shoreview, Minnesota, after being struck by an oncoming train. The 54-year-old was walking along the tracks, possibly trying to take a photograph. He had regularly taken walks on the same path since childhood, and did not feel endangered going along the tracks.

After playing hockey at Michigan State University, Cunningham spent four-plus years in the minor leagues, including parts of four seasons over two stints with Maine. As with many players who were once scoring-line players at hockey's lower levels (he collected 36 points in 34 games for Michigan State in 1976-77), Cunningham had to find a different niche at the pro level. In the AHL, he was mostly an agitator and secondary enforcer. His best season for the Mariners came in 1978-79, when he racked up 223 penalty minutes and 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 78 games.

Cunningham's pro career came to an end in 1981, although he made a three-game return to pro hockey in 1983-84 for the IHL's Toledo Gold Diggers. He spent most of the remainder of his life in his native Minnesota. For more on Cunningham's life and passing, click here

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The Flyers Alumni will host a fantasy hockey camp from August 21-24 in Atlantic City, open to anyone age 21 and older. Instructors and Alumni participants will include Bernie Parent, Brian Propp, Ian Laperriere, Todd Fedoruk, Andre "Moose" Dupont, Dave "the Hammer" Schultz, Joe Watson and Bob "the Hound" Kelly.

Participation costs $3,000 apiece and you can register a spot online. Over on the Flyers' Alumni website, there is more information on camp-related activities and on-ice schedules.