Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Cam York is one of the Flyers top prospects for good reason, and he is typically as decisive as they come, “I still believe in myself,” Cam York said at training camp. “I think I can make a team still, but it’s a long year. It’s 82 games and the schedule is really tight. There’s going to be a lot of guys coming in and out of the lineup. If you block a shot wrong, you’re out eight games. That’s eight games that people need to fill. I didn’t look at it like ‘Dang, there goes my spot.’ I’m still confident. I still believe in myself.”
One thing that remained constant during his recalls to the big club was that York appears to be NHL ready. If there is a silver lining to this dreadful season, it was the improved play of York. He really showcased himself, and he took advantage of the injury riddled Flyers to include players that were out in Covid Protocol.
“Obviously, it was a crazy year at times,” York said. “I think we’re all confident in my abilities and we all know what I can do. Just continuing to progress, have a big summer and do a lot of good things in June. Continue to progress and hopefully become a full time NHL player, a shutdown defenseman and a guy that’s playing a lot of minutes and on the power play. I have high expectations. I always have and I’m going to continue to feel that way.”
The guy wants it and one can sense it, “I’m going home for the month of May and I’ll be back here training all summer, from June to September or whenever,” says York. “I think it will be good for me. It’s always good to be around the facilities and continue to build relationships with trainers and staff members. I think it will be good for me and everybody here.”
York was confident, skating well, and appeared to be a confident blueliner, before his injury by an Alex Ovechkin shot on the penalty kill. He sustained a hairline fracture, but he should be fine by June, York said:
“I should be good to go for workouts. It was a hairline fracture in my foot and it’s tough for me to tie up my skate. The pressure of the skate was hurting my foot and I wasn’t able to push off. It obviously sucked and it was a time of the year where I wish I could have played, for sure. It feels good now. Just trying to continue to progress here and get back at it at the start of June.” – Cam York
One of the best qualities that York possesses is his shot accuracy. He hits the net nine times out of ten, and York showed that while quarterbacking the top Power Play unit at times this past season. York was great with cycling the puck, and holding the pucks in at the blue line thus extending zone play for the Flyers.
To put more perspective in this area, York finished the season with one Power Play goal, and four Power Play assists. It appeared he was gaining confidence with the man advantage, and making the right adjustments in his limited time of working with the club.
The best part of York’s game is his confidence. This leads to long strides skating wise, and he’ able to make quick decisive passes with the puck, which lead to clean zone exits. It just appears that when he was on the ice he settles things down, which is tough to do for a young player.
Getting back to his confidence, one could sense it as he is not afraid of joining the rush up the ice, and pinching when needed. York really has stood out in the good way, especially to those that didn’t think he was ready for the big show before this recall. He just shows so much poise and calmness that he doesn’t look lost on the ice, like some younger players do at this stage of their career.
York did provide some nice plays with the man advantage this past season. For instance, York used his good instincts to keep a pucks in Flyers zone and a game in particular against the Washington Capitals. York was able to extend the Power Play on the first man advantage, which lead to a prime scoring chance. He is as good as Shayne Gostisbehere it appears at holding pucks in at the blue line.
He was faster than I’ve personally seen him, and credit goes to the developmental and coaching staff Lehigh for this. York will be a good player for years to come, and it will only get better for York.
“The AHL and NHL are two different games so it’s a little weird trying to adjust,” York said. “Sometimes it felt like it would take a few games to feel comfortable out there. I felt I got better and it’s been a long year. The schedule’s tough so obviously taking care of your body is one of the biggest things I’ve taken away. How my body felt during the year. It’s going to be important that I stay on top of things.”
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I have no high or medium expectations until fletch is flushed.