Cam York Reflects On A Tumultuous Flyers Season: 'I Know I Can Be Better'

The Weight of Expectations

After making huge strides as a top-pair defenseman last season—mixing smooth skating, calm decision-making, and flashes of elite puck movement—expectations for York skyrocketed. He was supposed to be one of the Flyers' cornerstones, a bridge to the rebuild's brighter future.

Instead, this year often felt like swimming against the current. A nagging injury early in the campaign set him back physically, just as he was trying to ramp up for the grind of a full 82-game season.

“About two weeks, I would say,” York said, when asked how long it took to feel like himself again. “For a little bit there, I was probably not one hundred percent or where I needed to be physically. It kind of sucks with the timing of it because for the first maybe 10 games, you’re getting your body ramped up for the season and getting your legs under yourself.

"I felt like I was kind of playing catch-up after that, but our training staff did a good job. Throughout the whole year, that was something we were working on. I’m excited to go into the offseason on a healthy note.”

A healthy York is a dangerous York. But staying healthy wasn’t the only challenge. Confidence—and the freedom to play instinctively—became elusive under the rigid, often punishing systems in place.

As the season wrapped up under interim head coach Brad Shaw, he was more optimistic about where his game was at

“I thought I was better,” he said. “I was able to play with a little more freedom…It felt good to go back to that and have that mindset, so it was good.”

Bright Spots and Lessons Learned

Still, there were flashes. His partnership with Jamie Drysdale offered a glimpse into what the Flyers' blue line could look like in the near future—with two cerebral, mobile defenders steering the ship.

“[He has] a really good hockey mind,” York said. “It’s really cool to play with a guy like that. We’re both thinkers of the game—we’re not overly physical, we use our legs more than anything, and think our way through problems, versus a guy like [Rasmus Ristolainen] who blows plays up. It’s just a different style. It was cool, with us being such good friends off the ice, on the ice, I think that helped us. It would be really good to revisit that next year.”

Off the ice, York’s conversations with Flyers GM Danny Brière have already laid the foundation for a summer of targeted growth. More offensive confidence. Better lateral movement. Leaning into the skillset that made him a first-round pick in the first place.

“I just talked to Danny about it,” York shared. “Offensively, playing more free and making more plays. I think I can do a better job of getting pucks through from the blue line. I didn’t feel like laterally I was as good this year in terms of using my space and my legs.

"I have the ability to do it, and I just wasn’t doing it. I think there’s a few things I can do offensively to help that…[It’s] something that I’m going to revisit this summer, for sure.”

York doesn’t need to reinvent himself. He just needs to rediscover the easy, natural creativity that marked his rise through the U.S. National Team Development Program and the University of Michigan.

“Having a good training summer, and just playing free,” he said simply. “When I’m not thinking out there, that’s when I’m playing my best. I’m psyched to the start of next year and to get back to those ways and be that 200-foot player.”

'A Breath of Fresh Air'

There’s a sense of cautious optimism now surrounding the Flyers. A new coach will bring a new voice—and for players like York, a badly needed reset.

“I think you saw that with [Shaw] at the end,” York said. “It’s just a different voice, a different style or mindset for a lot of players. I think it would be a breath of fresh air to have a different voice. I know a lot of guys are excited.”

Cam York is a realist. He knows he didn’t meet the lofty standards he set for himself this year. He also knows what he’s capable of—and he’s not shying away from the challenge ahead.

If anything, he sounds eager. Not to relitigate the past, but to shape the future.

And if his exit interview revealed anything, it’s that York won’t be defined by one bad year—or one bad moment. He’s too steady, too smart, and too stubborn to let that happen.

The best version of Cam York is still out there. And next season, he plans to find him.