Over the last several years, the WHL and the Quebec Hockey League have acted as developmental programs for Flyers prospects Claude Boivin, Reid Simpson, Dominic Roussel and Len Barrie. The coaches and general managers of those teams are understandably more interested in winning championships than in developing their players for NHL careers. Their jobs and futures hinge on wins, not instruction.
That is where Farwell's junior-league contacts and the reassignment of former Hershey Bears coach Kevin McCarthy may help the Flyers.
Farwell wants Boivin, Simpson, Roussel and Barrie to come to training camp in September prepared to play the Flyers' style of hockey. In the past, that has not always been easy because junior coaches expect those same players to be adept at playing their style.
Because of that conflict, Farwell said it is important that the Flyers keep a working relationship with the coaches and GMs of their prospects' junior teams. By working closely with junior-team management, Farwell hopes to convince junior coaches that developing players along the same lines as the Flyers would benefit both teams.
To speed that development, Farwell said he intended to offer McCarthy a position as scout and coach with the Flyers. In addition to aiding coach Paul Holmgren and his staff, McCarthy would be responsible for keeping the lines of communication between the Flyers' managers and their junior-league counterparts open and cordial.
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Farwell said he had not hired an assistant GM yet because he wanted to familiarize himself with the entire Flyers operation before allocating some of his responsibilities to another administrator.
However, he said that he was starting to define what an assistant could do for him and that he did expect to have one.
Do you think your boss underestimates your monetary value to your company?
If so, take heart.
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Sam St. Laurent, a one-time Flyer, was sold to the New York Rangers last week for $1.
