VOORHEES, N.J. – There is no catchy nickname for the five Flyers players who hail from Minnesota but that doesn’t mean the team isn’t aware of their meaningful heritage.
There’s a certain ethos about people who hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. They’re known as hard-working folks who don’t suffer fools lightly.
On Saturday afternoon, Bobby Brink, Ryan Poehling, Noah Cates, Nick Seeler and Erik Johnson will be back in the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Wild, who surprisingly hold the NHL’s best record at the moment.
It’s always special to go home and play in front of fans who cheer for the home team but, from an individual standpoint, root for their native sons to do well.
Brink looks forward to this trip, his first one back to Minnesota as a Flyer. It’s a chance, albeit a brief one, to take on the home squad for some possible bragging rights if the Flyers should come away with a win.
“Yeah, I’m excited,” Brink said after Friday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “I think it will be a good day for me and my family, friends so we’ll have fun.”
The Minnesota guys do have a bit of a fraternity going.
“I think a lot of the team is excited to go there,” Brink said. “It should be a good day. I live with ‘Poehls’ (Poehling) in the same apartment building. We see each other a lot. It’s fun.”
A couple seats down from Brink in the Flyers’ locker room sits alternate captain Scott Laughton, who was having some fun with Brink during the media session
“I think we have a really fun relationship,” Laughton said. “He’s a really great guy. Hilarious to be around, very light. We’ve gotten pretty close over the year and through last year, too, so it’s been a nice relationship to have with him.”
Laughton has noticed Brink continues to make strides off last year’s rookie season.
“I think it’s confidence,” said Laughton. “A big part of that, to make plays. To stick with it, to believe in yourself. I think he’s done a great job with that. He’s getting opportunities on the power play. The puck always finds him. Great skater and he sees the ice well.”
That first trip home is always a big deal, according to Laughton.
“I think it’s always special going home,” said Laughton, who hails from Oakville, Ontario. “Playing in your hometown, seeing family and friends. Being able to enjoy it with them and hopefully we get a big win.”
Minnesota has caught some people off-guard with its stellar play, although it is coming off a somewhat humbling 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.
“They’ve got a lot of top-end skill,” Brink pointed out. “And they’ve got depth to go along with it. I don’t think they really have a weak spot. That’s why they’re winning a lot.”
One player who’s been following Brink’s development is Morgan Frost.
“He’s a dangerous player when he’s playing confidently and moving his feet,” Frost said. “We all know he can make really good plays. He’s been more aggressive and that’s been opening up plays for him.
“I noticed he’s getting more feisty. I see his name up there on the hit totals list the last couple games.
In recent games, Brink has become more physically involved in games. He doesn’t fancy himself as a real tough guy but he is willing to get in the corners and mix it up with some of the bigger boys.
“I don’t know, maybe it’s coming natural,” he said. “I’m getting involved a little bit, I kind of know I have to play that way. I’m trying to do my best.”
Brink has even been involved in an incident or two where he’s helped stick up for a teammate.
“Everyone likes each other in here and everyone is willing to stick up for one another,” he said. “I think that’s been part of this team for awhile now.”
>Short shots
Aleksei Kolosov is scheduled to start in goal against the Wild. . .Coach John Tortorella said there won’t be any lineup changes for the Minnesota game so defenseman Emil Andrae figures to be scratched for a second straight game.
