Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Covid Update, Phantoms, NCAA Prospects, Joe Watson

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Covid Update, Phantoms, NCAA Prospects, Joe Watson
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill

Joe Watson must be disgusted seeing what the flyers have become in the last decade.

Thanks Bill for showing respect to Joe Watson. Joe was an honest hockey player who played a simple stay at home game. He was paired with a young Tom Bladon for several years. It gave Bladon the opportunity to carry the puck and create scoring opportunities. They complemented each other. While Joe was not considered a big hitter he never shied away from physical play and did whatever was necessary to make plays whether it was blocking a shot or being the first man in the corner and getting destroyed. I say all of this because I was fortunate enough to watch him play.

The older Joe gets the more he looks like his father who used to come down from Smithers occasionally back in the day. What a character.

O’Brein’s assist was just his second ES point for the season.

The older Joe gets the more he looks like his father who used to come down from Smithers occasionally back in the day. What a character.

O’Brein’s assist was just his second ES point for the season.
- Djapana

BU as a team lives off their power play and transition game. They normally get outpossessed. But power play points don't count any less than ES points.

TLDR.. You haven't written that many words about Dallas in all your Stars blogs combined.

The older Joe gets the more he looks like his father who used to come down from Smithers occasionally back in the day. What a character.

O’Brein’s assist was just his second ES point for the season.
- Djapana

He is doing much better than his first year at providence. Time. Give him time.

TLDR.. You haven't written that many words about Dallas in all your Stars blogs combined.
- Udogs

Sounds like you wouldn’t read it if he did.

Bill, I'm sure you touched on it before, but can you explain why their 1st pick from last years draft is already on the Phantoms. Was he overage or are there COVID exceptions to the age rule?

Bill, I'm sure you touched on it before, but can you explain why their 1st pick from last years draft is already on the Phantoms. Was he overage or are there COVID exceptions to the age rule?
- backfire

The OHL isn't playing (and WHL doesn't start until Feb. 26) so the AHL age rule has been relaxed temporarily.

Bill,
Appreciate the write up on Joe. He is what hockey, and life should still be....no nonsense, simple, honest, hard working, and self reliant. I’m proud to have watched him in all his Flyers capacities, and play golf with him in various charity events.

He is everything a Flyers ambassador should be.

When you see him, he owes me a few tix in the box they use. Bought them at a charity event and never got them from him. No worries, the point was the charity, but it would be fun to break his stones!

The Watson brothers were all awesome and Joe was my favourite. They have a brother that was one hell of a goalie in Smithers back in 1960. I was fortunate to have lived right next door to them in Smithers, BC for one winter. Every street had at least one outdoor rink.

BU as a team lives off their power play and transition game. They normally get outpossessed. But power play points don't count any less than ES points.
- bmeltzer

Yes, I’m aware that PP points count also. O'Brien is the only forward on his team with a minus record. But I’m sure this says nothing about his ES play. Thanks Bill

Yes, I’m aware that PP points count also. O'Brien is the only forward on his team with a minus record. But I’m sure this says nothing about his ES play. Thanks Bill
- Djapana

I've watched all but two games. He is playing fine.

Thank you Joe for all you have done for Philadelphia. We will always be thankful for the cups, dominant performance against the Soviets, and the great team stories.

I've watched all but two games. He is playing fine.
-bmeltzer

Living in the area, I have had a chance to watch O'Brien this year and agree he is playing much more confidently and is much more impactful for BU than he was for Providence College two seasons ago. I wasn't thrilled about the Flyers picking a forward in the first round and then seeing what he looked like at Providence, but this year is huge step forward for him so far.

Yes, I’m aware that PP points count also. O'Brien is the only forward on his team with a minus record. But I’m sure this says nothing about his ES play. Thanks Bill
- Djapana

Jay has two even strength goals tonight. One period to go. Just a FYI.

Living in the area, I have had a chance to watch O'Brien this year and agree he is playing much more confidently and is much more impactful for BU than he was for Providence College two seasons ago. I wasn't thrilled about the Flyers picking a forward in the first round and then seeing what he looked like at Providence, but this year is huge step forward for him so far.
- jd250

At that draft I wanted Miller , kupari, veleno or Samuelson. Don’t mind at all an trust they had a reason. Imo under hex our drafting was great.

In the early 80s I was in the Coast Guard stationed in Miami. No internet in those days and no Florida teams to generate any hockey news in the local papers. I called up the Flyers and asked the person who answered the phone what was going on with the Flyers and could I talk to someone who could give me an update. I was put on hold and the next thing I know I am talking to Joe Watson. He could not have been nicer and we talked for quite a while. He asked me about the Coast Guard and brought me up to date on the Flyers. A few days later I received a yearbook in the mailand above the return address was Joe's autograph.

In the early 80s I was in the Coast Guard stationed in Miami. No internet in those days and no Florida teams to generate any hockey news in the local papers. I called up the Flyers and asked the person who answered the phone what was going on with the Flyers and could I talk to someone who could give me an update. I was put on hold and the next thing I know I am talking to Joe Watson. He could not have been nicer and we talked for quite a while. He asked me about the Coast Guard and brought me up to date on the Flyers. A few days later I received a yearbook in the mailand above the return address was Joe's autograph.
- 54fightin

Great story and thanks for sharing!

PS: "54fightin, hello!"

In the early 80s I was in the Coast Guard stationed in Miami. No internet in those days and no Florida teams to generate any hockey news in the local papers. I called up the Flyers and asked the person who answered the phone what was going on with the Flyers and could I talk to someone who could give me an update. I was put on hold and the next thing I know I am talking to Joe Watson. He could not have been nicer and we talked for quite a while. He asked me about the Coast Guard and brought me up to date on the Flyers. A few days later I received a yearbook in the mailand above the return address was Joe's autograph.
- 54fightin

THAT'S a cool story. Thank you for your service.

Jay has two even strength goals tonight. One period to go. Just a FYI.
- Peter Richards

Hat trick.

No new Flyer names on the covid protocol list. No news is good news for now.

Yes, I’m aware that PP points count also. O'Brien is the only forward on his team with a minus record. But I’m sure this says nothing about his ES play. Thanks Bill
- Djapana

All I can say is how very Flyer-like of JOB to get a hatty tonight with these comments flying around lately. You’re going to make me like him, keep it coming.