Dvorak bet on himself and won a big contract

PHILADELPHIA – If Christian Dvorak ever goes to the racetrack and sees a horse named “Christian Dvorak” on the entry list, he should bet him.
That’s because he already bet on a hockey player named Christian Dvorak and came away a big winner.
A new five-year contract worth $25.75 million, signed on Monday, certainly qualifies as big.
It goes back to Dvorak’s decision to sign a one-year free-agent deal with the Flyers last July 1 for $5.4 million. He might have gotten more years, more money from somebody else but both the player and the Flyers were comfortable with this arrangement.
And now it’s paying off for the 29-year-old Illinois native.
“I believe I had more offensively,” Dvorak said on Tuesday. “That’s kind of why I took the one-year deal. I kind of bet on myself. Thought I had a good opportunity here. My teammates, I have to thank them, too. They’ve been good to me.”
General manager Daniel Briere spoke before Tuesday night’s game against Anaheim and sounded relieved that Dvorak will stay in the fold.
He confirmed what Dvorak had said about betting on himself.
“What I like about Christian is, he bet on himself going into this season,” Briere said. “Took a one-year deal, we wanted to get to know him a little better. Since he arrived, a total pro. He’s a good example for our players and for all our young guys coming up.
“I’m excited about what he’s bringing to the rest of the team. Plays both ends of the ice, wins faceoffs, smart hockey. I’m excited that he wanted to stay here. I think for us it’s a good sign. Someone that bet on himself. Chose us and wants to stay here. It’s very exciting.”
Dvorak had a feeling the Flyers would be much improved. That’s another reason why he bought a plane ticket to Philly.
“It’s been a lot of fun and it’s a good fit for me,” Dvorak said. “We’ve been playing some good hockey this year. I think we’re just headed in a good direction here. And that’s really important to me.”
Dvorak already played a couple seasons for Flyers coach Rick Tocchet when the two were together in Arizona. That definitely helps the comfort level for both individuals.
“Yeah, that helps for sure,” Dvorak said. “That’s definitely a reason why I signed here last summer. I was comfortable with playing with him from before. I think it’s gone well so far this year. He’s given me a good opportunity and I’ve tried to make the most of it.”
Dvorak said the length of the contract was important to him. It will take him all the way to age 34.
“It was important,” Dvorak agreed. “I think it (the negotiations) were a pretty smooth process overall. It (the length) was one of the things I was working for. I’m just very excited and happy it got done.”
The center said he hasn’t been surprised by how well it’s gone. The fit with Trevor Zegras has been superb. He’s also been helpful in keeping the Flyers’ penalty kill at a high level.
“I don’t know if I would say surprised,” he said when asked if he was caught offguard by the Flyers’ success. “You believe, you trust that things are going to work out. That’s why I made the decision to come here. I thought it would be a good fit for me. I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Tocchet expressed satisfaction that Dvorak isn’t going anywhere when this season is over. He’s one of the guys the coach relies in all situations.
“Centermen are tough to find,” Tocchet said. “He’s come in here and he’s done a really nice job. He’s well liked in the locker room, he’s a culture guy. Came into camp in shape, does the right things.
“You’re keeping character and quality in the room. It’s good for us.”
Dvorak entered Tuesday night’s game with nine goals/25 points and a plus-8. Coincidentally, the Flyers entered Tuesday night action with a plus-8 for the season.
The signing might have been a signal to the rest of the team that the Flyers won’t be traders at the trade deadline. They’re thinking positively, they’re thinking of adding and making the playoffs.
“We talk about building blocks, that’s the way I look at it,” Tocchet said. “You have a quality player in that room for the next five years. He’s played really well for us.
“Who knows what happens in the future but it’s another strong asset in your room.”
Some might wonder why the Flyers might throw 25 million at a soon-to-be 30-year-old player. Tocchet, who played well into his late 30s, had a quick answer.
“Thirty is still young, don’t get me wrong,” Tocchet said. “You train a little different. ‘Devo’ has a really good hockey IQ. When you have a really good hockey IQ, you can play late into your 30s.
“He’s a good faceoff guy. Things like that you can still be really good at when you get older.”
Briere also played well into his 30s.
“There are guys who play until they are 40,” he said. “I have no doubt if he takes care of himself, absolutely no worries about that.”

>Vladar, Abols named to Olympic teams

Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar and center Rodrigo Abols were added to their native countries’ Olympic rosters on Tuesday.
Vladar will be joining Team Czechia. He entered Tuesday night’s game vs. Anaheim with a 15-8-3 mark, a 2.39 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
Abols was named to Latvia’s team. Abols has played in 35 games for the Flyers with two goals/eight points.