The importance of team chemistry and team culture off of the ice is something that cannot be ignored in terms of the success of a team.
You need certain players that will be the glue, the adhesive, the honey that sticks to your fingers on a warm summer’s day that keeps the team together through the hardships and wear and tear of a regular season in the NHL.
You look around the Flyers locker room last year and you seldom saw any of the joy that was developed during the 2020 regular season. You know…the “CAHTAH HAHT’s” or the “Young Beezer in Cut’s”… all of that joy and energy seemed to be lost during that dreadful 2021 season and well….yeah, I think it showed.
That was one area that Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher wanted to address during this offseason. He was even quoted as saying there was a “malaise” in the Flyers Locker Room.
It started with a makeover of leadership. Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere are gone and replaced with 6 (SIX!) new players in Rasmus Ristolainen, Ryan Ellis, Cam Atkinson, Derick Brassard, Nate Thompson, and Keith Yandle. All of whom wore “A’s” on their sweater at one point in their respective careers.
However, there are two new additions that stand out from all of the rest, for reasons other than hockey.
The first, well…it’s the SONK-master, himself. The King of the Bah-ston Hah-bah. A connoisseur of comedy, an endearing lover of hi-jinks and Good Housekeeping’s Hottest 40 under 40 candidate, Keith Yandle.
The second…the lovable and charismatic man who was voted “Most Likely to pump rainbows and smiley faces out of his ears” in High School…the guy who was recommended by 10/10 fathers who would let him date their daughters, Cam Atkinson.
No, I did not get paid to write these introductions, but tips are always encouraged.
What Flyers fans will notice for this upcoming year isn’t so much Yandle’s top 6 defensive pairing minutes. It’s not his great shot on the PP2. It’s not even his coveted Iron-Man Streak in which he sits 43 games away from beating Doug Jarvis’ consecutive games played record (964).
They might not notice Atkinson quietly putting up 25 goals, killing penalties, blocking shots or having more intensity than the energizer bunny out on the ice.
It’s what Yandle and Atkinson will bring off of the ice. As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, every successful team needs a glue guy. A guy to keep things loose off the ice. That one guy who will bring energy to the locker room during a two-game losing streak and elevate his team off the ice to prevent that 3rd straight loss from happening.
It’s an important role and it’s one that’s not often even considered. That is, unless you’ve been ignoring the makeup of championship teams over the past two decades.
However, this season, one thing is going to stick out from all of the rest…
I typically try to not be too serious when writing an article, but out of the suitable and utmost respect and honor for the situation, we are going to go forward as appropriate.
On August 23rd, 2021, Kevin Hayes’ brother and former NHL player, Jimmy Hayes, was found dead in his home in Milton, MA at the age of 31. The cause of death is still unknown.
The Hayes and Yandle families are documented to be extremely close. Specifically, the bond between Jimmy, Kevin and Keith. Each citing one another as “brothers” during several interviews over the years.
The highs and lows of an NHL season are already enough to mentally and physically wear down an individual. But to go through a season after losing your brother and best friend, can be considered almost insurmountable. No one can replace a brother.
The acquisitions of Keith Yandle and Cam Atkinson to the Flyers became more than just about hockey on August 23rd and it will remain to be more than just about hockey throughout their upcoming tenures with the team.
It’s hard to imagine that both Keith Yandle and Kevin Hayes won’t be playing hurt this upcoming season and it’s got nothing to do with physical injuries.
The fact that each of them will be able to support one another in Philadelphia, accompanied by fellow Boston College alumni and ex-teammate of Jimmy Hayes, Cam Atkinson, could speak more than any on-ice performance would show.
Three gentleman. Three individuals. Three unique, outgoing and charismatic characters that have treated their times as professionals with nothing but class and respect will be looking for that support this season.
This is one thing that all of us as fans of the Philadelphia Flyers should keep in consideration as we move forward to a highly anticipated season of Flyers hockey. We must look after and support our own. Kevin Hayes. Keith Yandle. Cam Atkinson.
Kevin Hayes shared this beautiful story at his brother Jimmy’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/jkVosgLNmo
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 30, 2021
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