VOORHEES, N.J. – As Wednesday’s practice came to a close, in a typical Flyers’ tradition, the players formed a circle at center ice and kneeled to honor one special individual.
In this case it was new teammate Karsen Dorwart, who signed a contract out of Michigan State University last weekend.
While the ritual happens at the Flyers Training Center every once in a while, this one was somewhat unique because it involved an undrafted player who’s making the jump right out of college to the NHL.
The last player to attempt and really succeed at such a leap into pro hockey (initially with the Phantoms) was Flyers forward Matt Read, who was signed out of Bemidji State on March 24, 2011.
Flyers interim coach Brad Shaw has already gone on record that Dorwart, a center, will make his debut in Saturday’s game at Montreal.
Making a new guy feel at home right away is something the Flyers have always honored. It reflects on how they strive to keep a locker room close.
“It made me feel welcome for the guys to do stuff like that,” the 22-year-old Oregon native said with a grin. “Guys were talking to me in the lines in practice and stuff. They made it feel real easy.”
Out on the ice, Dorwart skated on a fourth line with Garnet Hathaway and Nick Deslauriers. Now that’s what you call a couple of reliable bodyguards.
Bobby Brink, selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, began play with the Flyers at the end of the 2021-22 season right after his Denver University squad was eliminated from NCAA play.
Brink said the Flyers players make a player feel right at home as soon as possible.
“Yeah, when I came in here, all the older guys were great to me,” he said. “They welcomed me in right away. I felt like I was part of the team immediately.
“That was kind of our job to do the same for Karsen. He’ll play better if he feels welcome.”
It certainly makes life easier for a new guy if there are teammates willing to share where to find the best pizza or laundromat.
“I’m guessing he’s going to have a pretty singular focus coming in here,” Brink said. “Not doing too much outside of hockey. Just including him in stuff is important for us right now.”
Brink played 10 games at the end of that 2021-22 season and it was an eye-opener.
“The NHL is the best league in the world,” Brink pointed out. “So coming from anywhere is a different change of pace. Some guys, when they come in, if they have the smarts and the speed, it doesn’t take much adjustment. He’s a skilled, smart player so I’m thinking he can come in and make an impact right away.”
Forward Jakob Pelletier has only been here since February after a trade from Calgary. He felt comfortable here almost from day one.
“I remember when I got traded eight or 10 guys texted me,” Pelletier said. “They welcomed me. It took me a while to get here because of the visa but once I got here the guys were really awesome to me. They helped me get used to being here. They welcomed me with open arms.”
Shaw has been behind the bench for all of three games since taking over from John Tortorella. But he’s been here for three years as an associate coach and knows all about the inner workings of the team.
“It’s a great room, full of professional athletes that know how to treat their teammates,” Shaw said. “That’s a real luxury to kind of come in when I did when that room is kind of taken care of to the extent that it was. I’m not surprised that he (Dorwart) was greeted with open arms. I would expect that with any new guy that comes in.”
During the practice, Shaw asked Dorwart what his best asset might be.
“He said his head, his brain, he really thinks the game,” Shaw said. “That’s a great answer for me. I like guys that are aware on the ice. I was impressed with how he got around today. It’s not easy sometimes your first day – a lot of nerves out there. Seems like a real centered, focused, humble young man.”
Read led all NHL rookies with 24 goals that first season. If Dorwart plays well enough in these last few games and makes the roster next season, just getting close to Read’s total would be a bonus.
“It’s been a kind of quick few days,” Dorwart said. “I’m just super excited. I’m a two-way center, responsible at both ends of the ice. Play a complete game.”
Dorwart did have some other options but chose the Flyers.
“Just the interest from the brass, (president of hockey operations Keith) Jones and (general manager Daniel) Briere,” Dorwart said. “They were unbelievable with me all year. One thing they had mentioned was an opportunity up the middle (with the trades of Morgan Frost and Scott Laughton).
“That was exciting. You have to work for everything you get but it reminded me of when I got to MSU. That’s what’s exciting to me.”
