As Flyers fans weather the off-season doldrums between a disappointing lack of lottery luck and the impending appointment of a new President of Hockey Operations, there is some news to report regarding three athletes in the orange-and-black organization.
Scott Laughton, the only player on the Philadelphia Flyers to don a letter in the 2022-23 season, has been named an alternate captain for Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championships, scheduled to begin Friday, May 12, in Finland and Latvia.
Laughton is one of four alternate captains on the Canadian squad. He’ll join Lawson Crouse, Milan Lucic, and Mackenzie Weegar in assisting team captain Tyler Toffoli of the Calgary Flames.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy
Scott Laughton was also nominated by the Philadelphia Flyers for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The makes for the third straight season Laughton has been nominated.
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Laughton is well-respected for his leadership abilities, as recognized by his alternate captaincies for the Flyers and now Team Canada, and for his involvement in the Philadelphia community. When the time comes for Flyers’ head coach John Tortorella to name a full-time captain, there is little doubt that Laughton will be on the short list of candidates.
Representing USA
In addition to Laughton, the Philadelphia Flyers have two other players participating in the 2023 World Championships.
Top-prospect Cutter Gauthier, drafted 5th overall by the Flyers in 2022, and 24-year-old right-handed defenseman Ronnie Attard are joining forces on behalf of Team USA. Attard and Gauthier made their presences felt in USA’ lone pre-tournament game, a 6-3 win against Germany held in Munich on Tuesday, May 9.
Attard kicked off the scoring with USA’s first goal. He blistered a wrist shot from the slot as a passive German defense let him slide into the middle untouched.
Ronnie Attard opened the scoring versus the Germans
— Ryan Leonard Propoganda Account (@JimIkeHW) May 9, 2023
Gauthier did not land on the scoresheet. He did flash enticing speed and power in transition though. Towards the end of the second period he was elbowed in the head by German forward, Nico Sturm.
Sturm earned a major penalty and game misconduct for the infraction. Gauthier did not return.
A head injury to their top prospect in a meaningless international scrimmage is not what Flyers fans wanted to see. Conjuring bad memories of Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau, Chris Pronger, and Nolan Patrick. All four Flyers careers were damaged by head injuries.
Flyers fans will keep their fingers crossed that the blow to Cutter Gauthier is not serious.
Joe Kania is a Contributor for HW Hockey
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