The Philadelphia Flyers’ newcomers arrived in Philadelphia Thursday night during the team’s loss to the Washington Capitals.
Friday, the pair of former Flames skated with their new teammates for the first time at the Flyers Training Center in Vorhees, New Jersey. Andrei Kuzmenko was getting some early work in with Matvei Michkov ahead of Friday’s practice. Kuzmenko was also the last person on the ice after practice, staying on well past the noon end time. On the other rink, Jakob Pelletier was doing some skill work with many of his new teammates.
After practice was over, both players met with the media for the first time as Flyers.
It’s time to meet Jakob Pelletier, who describes himself and his play style as “a dog on a bone.”
Here’s the full quote from Pelletier: “I am a dog on a bone. I play each shift like it’s the last one. I am not the biggest guy, but I am going to hit guys; I am going to go in front of the net; I am going to do everything in my power to win each game here.”
According to the Flyers’ roster, Pelletier is 5′ 9″ and 170 pounds. He has played in both the NHL and AHL this season. Calgary waived him in October before the roster finalization deadline. In 20 games with Calgary’s AHL club, Pelletier had three goals and 16 assists for 19 points.
The Flames recalled him in early December and has 11 points (4G, 7A) in 24 games played.
Pelletier is someone who cares about his team.
“It’s tough (leaving the Flames). I am a guy who cares about the team and the guys there. I am going to do the same thing here.” said Pelletier.
He said that he became excited to be a Flyer once he could step back from the emotion.
“I am excited to be here, pretty excited to meet the guys, and to hopefully play,” Pelletier said.
He added that Nicolas Deslauriers called him the day after the trade and received a text from Flyers’ captain Sean Couturier welcoming him to the Flyers. Both players, along with Pelletier, are French-Canadian.
If you are unsure what kind of player the Flyers are getting in Andrei Kuzmenko, here is a good example.
It had been over a week since Kuzmenko last practiced with an NHL club, so he stayed late–almost a half-hour of practice had ended. During his time in Calgary after the trade, both Kuzmenko and Pelletier skated with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.
Now that he is with Philadelphia, Kuzmenko is excited to be here and optimistic about the team. When asked what made him waive his no-trade clause to go to the Flyers, he said it was because they have a good team.
Kuzmenko said, “Good team in Philly. Good young players, I think this is a good team for the future. I believe (in) this team.”
One of those promising young players he was talking about is Matvei Michkov. Kuzmenko spent time with him in the KHL before either player came to the NHL.
“He’s a really good player, a future superstar. I hope.” Kuzmenko said about Michkov.
Kuzmenko said it was not just Michkov but the Russian community that the Flyers had made it easy for him on his first day. Along with Michkov, the Flyers have Ivan Fedotov, Aleksei Kolosov, and Rodrigo Abols, who all speak Russian.
Both players will look to make their Flyers debut on Saturday when the Flyers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins.
