Plenty of family ties at Flyers' development camp
It wasn't awkward.
Nope. Not one bit.
At least that's what Trevor van Riemsdyk said, wearing an orange and black Philadelphia Flyers jersey across the dressing room from where his brother James sat until last month. The younger van Riemsdyk was a participant in the Flyers' development camp, hoping to catch the eye of an NHL front office while he follows his brother's footsteps as a college player at University of New Hampshire.
James van Riemsdyk was traded from the Flyers to the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 23 in exchange for defenseman Luke Schenn.
"I mean, it happens in the business, people get traded," Trevor van Riemsdyk said. "Anyone can get traded. Obviously, (James has) done some pretty big moves these last few years. I'm a different person, I guess some can see it as a little bit awkward, but I really don't feel that way."
Van Riemsdyk wasn't the only familiar name at development camp, but the sentiment was the same for the others as well -- regardless of what their brothers or fathers did for the organization, the younger generation is trying to keep the family name alive in the NHL.
Greg Coburn, brother of Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn; John Stevens, son of the former Flyers coach by the same name; Chase Hatcher, son of former Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher; and Nick Luukko, son of Comcast-Spectacor COO Peter Luukko, all attended the development camp.
"I've been skating at the Voorhees (N.J.) rink since I was probably 2 years old," the younger Stevens said. "I learned how to skate on that ice, so it brings back memories, and now you're trying to prove yourself. It's a little different feeling now, but it still brings back memories and stuff like that."
More than 40 players took part in the camp, and for almost all of them, it will be a one-time show. Barely any will return for the Flyers' real training camp in September. In July, however, it's fun to get some family involved.
"I try not to think that my dad's out there," said Chase Hatcher, whose father was an on-ice instructor in the camp. "I try to think of him more as a coach than a dad. It's just about having fun right now and becoming a better player."
