ALLENTOWN – Phantoms coach John Snowden deserves much of the credit for the quick development of Flyers rookies Denver Barkey and Alex Bump last season.
If you add Porter Martone – who made the jump from Michigan State straight to the Flyers – you have three young players who figure to have a big impact on the NHL team for years to come.
Now, as rookie training camp opened at PPL Center on Friday, those three are helping some of the “new kids” begin their journey toward the big league.
It’s a natural progression, one which gives Snowden a feeling of gratification.
“All of them are incredibly good people,” Snowden began after the hour-long workout. “And they’re incredibly willing to talk, making sure everyone knows what’s going on.
“Just adding those players who have been through it, played in the NHL, spent time in the NHL, were successful in the NHL. A lot of these guys were here last year and they were in the same situation you (the new youngsters) were in. It’s great. They’re willing to go right back into it. Hopefully they can rub off on all the other prospects.”
Barkey said the Flyers’ last season late charge and positive experience in the playoffs had a positive effect on a number of prospects, including Jett Luchanko and Oliver Bonk.
But rest assured – Barkey, Bump and Martone are certainly not resting on their laurels. All three believe they still have a lot to prove.
“It’s going into camp with a chip on your shoulder mentality,” Barkey said. “It’s always something that’s separated me. . .bringing that compete, that motor. Coming into camp with something to prove, not being satisfied with what I did last year. That was really cool, it was a great experience, I learned a lot, I grew a lot this summer. But I’ve still got something to prove.”
Barkey registered five goals/17 points in 43 games with the Flyers and came up big at clutch moments.
Martone really lit it up in short span of time. In just nine games, he produced four goals/10 points and scored a pair of game-winning goals against Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs.
Bump also enjoyed his moments. He scored five goals/nine points in only 17 games.
All of that success was watched closely by young talent in the Flyers organization.
“Going against the Stanley Cup champions (Carolina Hurricanes in the second round), you learn a lot from that,” Barkey pointed out. “It really shows you what it takes to win a series. And what a battle it is to go all the way.
“It gave us a good taste of what it’s going to take mentally, physically, emotionally – it was all beneficial to take that experience home with us this summer.”
While technically Barkey is no longer a rookie, he definitely wants to be involved in both the rookie and veteran training camps because the whole package only lasts about three weeks. The Flyers open regular-season play on Sept. 30.
“You’ve got to earn your spot,” he reiterated. “Just continue to grow as a player. Do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
No doubt about it, the young guys look to Martone, Bump and Barkey and dream about their chances of duplicating their success.
“It’s cool for them and they’re probably watching you with a close eye,” Barkey said. “You want to show them what it takes, day to day, to be an NHL hockey player. I remember when I was them – (Bobby) Brink, (Tyson) Foerster – and I was looking up to those guys.
“They showed us the way and now we’re showing them the way.”
Big things are expected of Martone this season. Like goaltender Dan Vladar, he has a way of getting his teammates fired up with his exploits and style of play.
“It’s shortened preseason this year,” Martone pointed out. “I hope I do crack the lineup.”
Well, on right wing, he does have Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov listed ahead of him on the early depth chart predictions. But it’s hard to imagine he won’t find a place somewhere in the lineup.
“I’m ready to go, I’m ready to be successful,” he said. “Just getting back into the gym, I think I’ve got a ways to go there.”
Martone was asked that with all the early success he’s experienced, how does he avoid taking a step back?
“I’m someone who believes that every day is a new day,” he said. “I think for me it’s not looking too far ahead. Come to the rink every day and focus on getting better. It doesn’t matter if I have the best game in the world the night before, or the worst, you kind of reset after that.”
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