"He was never cocky and he's always been someone who is good to be around - someone you're proud to introduce to your parents as your friend," he said.
When van Riemsdyk scored his first NHL goal, against the Panthers in the third period of the Flyers' 5-1 win over Florida on Oct. 24, Passariello and Keenan erupted in the Wachovia Center suite in which they were sitting.
"I think the people around us thought we were nuts," Passariello said. "When he scored, it made it 5-1, but we were screaming and high-fiving like it was an overtime goal."
The trio has some more road trips planned. They will be in Madison Square Garden to watch the Flyers play the New York Rangers on Dec. 30, then head to Boston for the Winter Classic at Fenway Park on Jan. 1.
By then, van Riemsdyk could be in the thick of the rookie-of-the-year race. His 18 points were second most among NHL rookies going into last night's games.
"I'm unbelievably proud of him and all the work he's put in to get here," Keenan said.
Van Riemsdyk and his buddies are longtime video-game junkies. NHL 10 is one of their favorite games, and, despite being apart, they compete against each other online.
Sarlo recalled recently having the Flyers in a game in which he defeated van Riemsdyk.
"So I beat him with the team that had him on it," said Sarlo, laughing at the irony. "It was kind of cool."
Almost as cool as traveling to NHL rinks - with free tickets, no less - to watch their unassuming friend fulfill his boyhood dream.
Contact staff writer Sam Carchidi at 215-854-5181
or scarchidi@phillynews.com.
