As the Flyers kick off their 2025-26 Training Camp under new Head Coach Rick Tocchet, one storyline that’s quickly emerged is Tocchet’s consistent and vocal support for young defenseman Cam York.
Coming off a challenging 2024-25 season where York faced criticism from former Coach John Tortorella, the 24-year-old has shown early signs of a resurgence, and Tocchet—fresh off his successful stint with the Vancouver Canucks—hasn’t hesitated to highlight York’s progress. This praise aligns with the Flyers’ recent five-year, $25.75 million extension for York (signed in July 2025), signaling the organization’s belief in his potential as a two-way blueliner.
Key Highlights from Tocchet’s Comments
Tocchet has singled out York multiple times over the first few days of camp (which began on September 18, 2025), focusing on his defensive aggression, puck-moving ability, and overall confidence.
“I actually have liked York’s camp,” Tocchet said following the scrimmage yesterday. “To me, he was good today.”
Why this matters for York and the Flyers
- A Fresh Start: Under Tortorella, York was often benched or criticized for defensive lapses, despite his offensive pedigree (e.g., captaining the U.S. gold-medal-winning World Juniors team in 2020). Tocchet’s approach—aggressive forechecking, conceptual power plays, and player empowerment—seems tailor-made for York, who played more freely under interim coach Brad Shaw last season.
- Team Impact: General Manager Danny Briere and president Keith Jones have echoed this optimism, with Briere stating there’s “more” to unlock in York’s game. Teammates like Travis Sanheim (York’s frequent partner) have also stepped up vocally, fostering a positive locker room vibe.
- Broader Camp Buzz: York’s standout play has been part of a strong early camp, with surprises like seventh-round pick Alexis Gendron impressing and veterans like Sanheim in mid-season form.
York himself has reciprocated the energy, calling Philadelphia “home” and expressing excitement about Tocchet’s fit with the young core (including Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny).
As camp progresses expect Tocchet to keep leaning on York’s growth—potentially pairing his offensive flair with the team’s revamped power play, which ranked near the bottom last year.If this is building toward a breakout, it could be a game-changer for the Flyers’ blue line. After all, Tocchet did say on Friday he was looking for York to take the next step leadership wise.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
