On June 15th, the Flyers posted an image of Joel Farabee to their social media outlets, showing the fanbase that the team, and hockey in general, are on their way back. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the world has been deprived of sports. The MLB has been in a pseudo-lockout, the NBA has yet to reconvene, and the NFL season has not yet begun. Thankfully, there is some orange and black hope on the horizon.
According to Farabee, it will be more difficult to return to play now than it is during the typical summer break, “You have less time to prepare, usually you have the whole summer,” Farabee said, “Right now we’re just kind of going with the flow.” Although, there are some players at the Skate Zone joining Farabee, with the likes of Yegor Zamula, the circumstances and environment around them is much different than it was before the pause. There is a limit on the amount of players in a single workout at a time, and there is a limit on the coaching staff that is allowed in contact with them. According to the NHL’s Phase 2 of the Return to Play plan, “Players will be participating on a voluntary basis, and will be scheduled to small groups.” While it is quite different then before, Farabee says it’s good to see the other players at the skate zone with him.
The Flyers were on a tear when the pause began, and were poised to carry that momentum through the end of the season and into the playoffs. With the pause beginning in the middle of it, the momentum the team built up will have to be rebuilt, “The biggest thing is trying to get the chemistry back,” Farabee said, “I’m pretty confident in all our guys that we can do that pretty well.”
According to Farabee, the Flyers have put themselves in a good spot, and will soon be on a roll into the playoffs. For such a young player, the confidence and maturity Farabee exudes is absolutely encouraging. Hopefully, soon enough, ice hockey will return to a television near you.
