Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Cam York didn’t knock down the doors at Training Camp. Spots have to be earned, even though he’s a kid at the age of 21. If the Flyers kept York it could have really hindered his development that they would be satisfied with poor play just because he’s York. Most people had him slated to start the season on the bottom pairing with Justin Braun, and some still aren’t satisfied with him being sent down to the Phantoms even though it’s the right call.
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There are high expectations for York, even coming from myself. I personally did not think he would be sent back to the Phantoms, but I didn’t think he would have a mediocre camp and poor pre-season also. Do those naysayers want to settle for a mediocre York, or a good/great York in the future?
“We think it’s the best thing in terms of his process,” said Tortorella. “Some people think when you are sent to the minor leagues you’re throwing them away. To go down there and play it’s a great league to learn and train in.”
In regards to Cam York here are my thoughts:
Everything is a process, he’s only 21 for lord’s sake. He had a mediocre camp, and the same could be said with the pre-season. This happens, he’s learning to become a pro, it’s not an easy transition. Unfortunately, York plays in one of those positions that’s very tough, as tough and unpredictable as a Goaltender. He was giving every shot to grab a spot by the bull horns, and failed. Now this is his mental test to go back and kill it with the Phantoms..York will kill it with the Phantoms, and be called up shortly thereafter.
The AHL is it good developmental league, like John Tortorella said yesterday. It’s not a bad thing to be sent back, it can only help his development.
“That American league (AHL) is a great league to develop players. Guys, we have to develop our players, we have to get a foundation of developed players if we want to get this thing where we need to go.” – John Tortorella
I understand the fans frustrations with possibly seeing one of Nick Seeler or Kevin Connauton again this season, but again that’s why they are with the organization. Hopefully it will only be a temporary measure until York receives a recall. Regardless of how anyone feels towards this decision, this happened to be the right decision and it was not an easy call but it was the right one.
