The Flyers have certainly impressed thus far this season, with many calling it “unsustainable,” “a bad way to rebuild,” or “not an accurate depiction of where this team truly is.” While there are many reasons to support the above claims, one must also ask themselves if this is the new norm for Flyers hockey. It is very hard to call an 18-10-3 record a fluke. There have been some very solid wins mixed in, comebacks, and close games that the Flyers prevailed in. The locker room is officially “back,” and the team seems to be having fun. That is a recipe for success in any professional sports league, and the Flyers are embodying what it means to be a winning team. How has this success come so soon? What are the main factors right now in aiding the success of the Flyers?
Some started to see signs of this “new brand” of Flyers hockey last year. Players were sticking up for one another, working hard together, and playing as a team. Three ways the Flyers under Peter Laviolette always played but got away from for quite some time. That was very promising to see in Tortorella’s first year at the helm, a direct impact of his coaching style. However, the fact that this Flyers team did not finish dead last is surprising last year based on personnel alone. They played with half of their AHL team for most of the season, their veterans were out, and it was Tortorella’s first season. Many Flyers fans came into this season expecting the same result. It is easy to say this now, but in what world would you not expect an improvement this season? Bobby Brink, Morgan Frost, and Tyson Foerster were bound to get good playing time, Carter Hart has always been a great goaltender, and Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson are back in the fold. It still amazes me that some people were surprised this team could win games in the earlier part of the season. Now, with all of that being said, this team is still more successful than anyone could have imagined 31 games into the season. They are 10 games away from the halfway point and they are not here by accident. They are here because of the foundation John Tortorella, Danny Briere, Keith Jones, and the rest of the front office have/are building.
Flyers fans everywhere should be ecstatic with this “New Era,” because whether or not this team makes the playoffs, there is imminent future success in the air. If you look at some of the commonalities of a championship team in any professional sports league, there are a few things every team says. They preach about their locker room, the love they have for one another, and the harmony between players, coaches, and the front office. Everyone is working towards one common goal and trust amongst one another amplifies their efforts so that the field/rink/court sees the very best of each player. The Flyers are well on their way to creating that type of culture within the walls of this organization. They have all bought into the culture, the system, and the rebranding of Flyers hockey to what it once was. This has long been one of the most passionate and dynamic fan bases in all of sports. Flyers fans are loyal to a fault and a major part of the lack of enthusiasm in recent years has been because of the culture. Yes, if the team isn’t winning, the energy won’t be the same.
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However, Flyers teams recently have not only been bad performance-wise, but they have lost touch with what it means to be a team in Philadelphia, they lost their pride, and they became a shell of what this organization once was. The Flyers front office has brought that feeling back, and that alone should put a smile on every Flyers fan’s face. It just goes to show how important it is to build a team starting with the foundation. Some other teams across the league have been rebuilding for what feels like years. They add new parts every year and receive the same result. This has a direct correlation to the foundation of each organization and its values. Just because you have the pieces to the puzzle does not mean the puzzle is completed. You have to make sure they all go together, believe in the same mission, and work towards it. This is also not as simple as making sure everyone wants to win a Stanley Cup. Of course they do, they are in the NHL. It means making sure each player understands their role, trusts the coaching staff, and trusts one another. The Flyers are clicking on all of these cylinders and the coaching staff and front office deserve a lot of the credit. Just look at teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins. They have had some major personnel changes in the past 10+ seasons but the foundations have been built. Both are built differently but nonetheless, they are built and no matter who came in and out of the building over the years, they knew what the organization was all about, and the culture never changed. Yes, this Flyers team still needs more time to grow and add a few more pieces but buy stock now because this foundation isn’t going anywhere and the start of something great is happening in Philly. This team is fun again, they believe in one another, they play with pride, and most importantly they are playing for the City of Philadelphia: The Orange and Black we once knew and loved are finally back and they are here to stay!
Cutter Gauthier
Cutter Gauthier has been named as an Alternate Captain by Team USA for the upcoming WJC Tournament.
What an honor
