Featured Article
Flyers prospect postseason update
Written by: Al Alven on 05/07/2004 
Below are statistics for and updated reports on all Philadelphia Flyers prospects still alive in their respective playoffs through Thursday, May 6th. Skaters are listed alphabetically on a level-by-level basis. Goaltenders are listed separately at the bottom of this page.
New to the list this week:
Rejean Beauchemin, Goaltender
Gone from the
list:
Brett Engelhardt, Forward
Rosario Ruggeri, Defenseman
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (NHL)
Joni Pitkanen, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 71 | 8 | 19 | 27 | +15 | 44 | 5 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Pitkanen continues to hang in there as a rookie in the Stanley Cup playoffs. His pairing with veteran Mattias Timander has been the least-consistent of the Flyers’ defensive units in the playoffs, though Timander did step up and play well during the Toronto series. Pitkanen has struggled from shift to shift at times, and proved to be turnover-prone when he came under attack from the Maple Leafs’ ultra-physical forwards. He managed to get through the series without making any major mistakes, however, and will now look to regroup against the less-physical, but highly-skilled Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference finals. Pitkanen finished the series against the Leafs with a minus-two rating and two assists. One of those helpers come on the outlet pass to Jeremy Roenick that led to the overtime, series-clinching goal in Game 6.
Patrick Sharp, Center
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 41 | 5 | 2 | 7 | -3 | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 35 | 15 | 14 | 29 | +5 | 45 | 7 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
After struggling in his role as the Flyers’ fourth line
center, Sharp was a healthy scratch for Games 4, 5 and 6 against the Maple
Leafs. He was assigned to the Phantoms for the opening game of the team’s
second round series against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and responded by scoring
two goals in the losing effort. Sharp has the ability to be a dominant
player at the AHL level, as he was clearly one of the best players on the
ice on Wednesday night. He is, however, expected to be returned to the
Flyers in time for the start of the conference finals against Tampa
Bay.
PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS (AHL)
Calder Cup Playoff East Division Semifinals (vs. Norfolk Admirals)
Game 1 – Phantoms 1, Admirals 2
Game 2 – Admirals 2, Phantoms 1 (OT)
Game 3 – Phantoms 3, Admirals 1
Game 4 – Phantoms 2, Admirals 1 (3
OT)
Game 5 – Tonight at Norfolk
Game 6* – Tomorrow at Philadelphia
Game 7* – Monday at Philadelphia
Phantoms win series, 4-2
Calder Cup Playoff East Division Finals (vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)
Game 1 – Penguins 5, Phantoms 4
Game 2 – Tonight at Philadelphia
Game 3 – Tomorrow at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Game 4 – Monday, 5/10 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Game 5* – Wednesday, 5/12 at Philadelphia
Game 6* – Friday, 5/14 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Game 7* – Sunday, 5/16 at Philadelphia
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads series, 1-0
* = if necessary
B.J. Abel, Center
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 53 | 6 | 4 | 10 | +5 | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| Trenton Titans | ECHL | 13 | 1 | 3 | 4 | +2 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Surprisingly, Abel has been one of the Phantoms’ more effective forwards in the postseason. The rookie pivot is tied for second on the team in goals and third in points through seven playoff games. He had a three-game point streak snapped in the 5-4 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday night.
Jeff Carter, Center
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| S.S. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 57 | 36 | 30 | 66 | +4 | 26 | 11 | 6 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Carter appears to be gaining confidence and getting more comfortable with every passing game. The 19-year-old center notched his first professional goal last Saturday, the game-winner in the series-clinching win over the Norfolk Admirals. He then was one of the Phantoms’ best forwards in Game 1 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, netting another goal and playing a solid, all-around game. Carter simply exudes talent and superior skill on the ice. The more the London, Ontario native plays, the more this becomes apparent. This time last week, Carter was still looking for his first goal with the Phantoms. This week, he has the poised look of a young player getting ready to explode offensively.
Ben Eager, Left wing
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oshawa Generals | OHL | 61 | 25 | 27 | 52 | -3 | 204 | 6 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Oshawa Generals | OHL | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | E | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Eager has been a scratch for each of the Phantoms' seven playoff games thus far. He did not travel with the team for road games during the semifinals series against Norfolk, feuling speculation that he is suffering from some sort of undisclosed injury. The Phantoms have been very quiet on the matter.
Joey Hope, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 48 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +1 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| Trenton Titans | ECHL | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Hope has played well in his five postseason appearances. Because he is not the most talented of defensemen, the rookie has to keep his game simple to be effective. He has done so thus far. Head coach John Stevens has scratched popular, solid rearguard Kirk Furey in favor of Hope over the past few games. With the Phantoms (and Flyers) getting back to full-strength defensively, it will be interesting to see if Stevens stays with the current lineup or continues to tinker.
Randy Jones, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 55 | 8 | 24 | 32 | E | 63 | 2 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Phantoms would certainly benefit from an increase in offensive production from its defensive unit against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Jones’ one assist on the playoff year is a disappointing figure, as he is the team’s most talented offensive defenseman behind veteran John Slaney. The rookie rearguard has continued to provide the team with smart, positional play in his own zone, but his contributions at the other end of the rink (particularly on the power play) have been far from stellar so far this spring.
James Laux, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 23 | 4 | 3 | 7 | +7 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Trenton Titans | ECHL | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Laux has been a healthy scratch for each of the Phantoms' seven playoff games thus far.
Freddy Meyer, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 59 | 14 | 14 | 28 | +13 | 50 | 6 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Like Jones, Meyer’s offensive output to this point in the postseason has been disappointing. The rookie blueliner was second among defensemen and fifth on the team overall in goal scoring during the regular season, but he has not been able to generate much through seven playoff games. His inability to find the back of the net is a cause for concern, though he has played reasonably well in his own zone. Meyer is one of the ice time leaders for the Phantoms, and he will continue to see plenty of action in all game situations.
Stefan Ruzicka, Right wing
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Owen Sound Attack | OHL | 62 | 34 | 38 | 72 | +2 | 63 | 5 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Owen Sound Attack | OHL | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 | +3 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Ruzicka appeared in the Phantoms’ first two playoff games, but has been a healthy scratch since. At this point, head coach John Stevens is opting to sit the talented, 19-year-old forward in favor of players with more experience. Whether Ruzicka can work his way back into the lineup remains to be seen, but look for a forward shakeup if the team drops Game 2 to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight.
Dennis Seidenberg, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 33 | 7 | 12 | 19 | +11 | 31 | 2 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | E | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Seidenberg has been very busy in the past week. He was recalled to the Flyers on Tuesday to serve as an emergency seventh defenseman for Game 6 of the team’s semifinal series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite suiting up, he did not get off of the bench in the 3-2 overtime win. The German defender was reassigned to the Phantoms the following day. Despite the team’s disappointing performance in Game 1 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Seidenberg was a bright spot. He played his best game since returning from his broken leg, notching a power play goal, an assist and a plus-1 rating.
Wade Skolney, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 56 | 1 | 8 | 9 | +1 | 106 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Like all of the other Phantoms defensemen, Skolney will be asked by head coach John Stevens to step up his game in the wake of the team’s Game 1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Skolney has continued his quiet, yet effective play in the postseason. He has also been very disciplined, as his low penalty minute total so far would attest.
Stephen Wood, Defenseman
Regular Season
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Providence College | HE | 37 | 11 | 18 | 29 | – | 66 | 6 | 2 |
Playoffs
| Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIMs | PPG | SHG |
| Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Wood has been a healthy scratch for each of the Phantoms' seven playoff games thus far.
GOALTENDERS
Rejean Beauchemin
Regular Season
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Playoffs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In a very surprising move, the Flyers have summoned Beauchemin to Philadelphia to serve as an emergency third-string goaltender for the team. The presence of another netminder was needed, with Antero Niittymaki and Neil Little still involved in the AHL playoffs with the Phantoms. Beauchemin, who had been working as a teacher's aid in Manitoba, was sensational in his first season as a starter in the WHL this year. He led the Prince Albert Raiders to their first playoff appearance in four years, earning an Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star berth in the process. The Winnipeg native will practice with the Flyers for now, but will only dress for a game if Robert Esche or Sean Burke sit out due to injury.
Bernd Bruckler
Regular Season
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Playoffs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
World Championships
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruckler served as a backup to Reinhard Divis on this year’s entry for Team Austria at the World Championships in the Czech Republic. The 22-year-old netminder did not appear in a game, but did gain valuable experience by being a part of one of the biggest events on the hockey calendar. Austria made big strides in the tournament this season, despite being eliminated in quarterfinal play.
Antero Niittymaki
Regular Season
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Was credited with shorthanded empty-net overtime goal at Hershey on April 11th
Playoffs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Recorded an assist vs. Norfolk on 4/21/04
Niittymaki had a rough go of it in the Phantoms' 5-4 Game 1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The sophomore netminder was victimized for five goals on 29 shots in what was one of the team’s worst defensive efforts in recent memory. The skaters blew multiple coverage assignments during the second half of the contest, leaving Niittymaki out to dry on a number of occasions. Considering that this was the young Finn's first “bad” postseason game in the AHL, it will be interesting to see how he responds.
David Tremblay
Regular Season
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QMJHL Playoffs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It looks like Tremblay and the Gatineau Olympiques will be representing the QMJHL in this year’s Memorial Cup Tournament. The Olympiques currently lead the Moncton Wildcats in the “Q” finals, three games to none, and can close out the series tonight. Tremblay has been very strong against Moncton (3-0, 1 shutout, 1.33 GAA, .935 SP), just as he has been all season long for the Olympiques. He is on the verge of making a huge name for himself.
League Legend
AHL – American Hockey League
ECHL – (The former East Coast Hockey
League)
HE – Hockey East (NCAA)
IIHF – International Ice Hockey Federation
NCAA – NCAA Frozen Four Tournament
OHL – Ontario Hockey League
QMJHL – Quebec Major Junior Hockey
League
WJC – World Junior Championships
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
HF Quick Navigation
