Remember Me? Flyers That Make You Go, "Who?"
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 4:26 PM EDT
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PrintThere once was a great, but spiteful head coach who opined to one of his former players:
"For six years, I taughtcha how to skate, I taughtcha how to score, I taughtcha how to go for the "W". You could have been one of the greats! An' now look at yourself. You're not even a has-been. You're a never-was."
Well, since this off-season has been pretty slow, we've taken to amusing ourselves in other ways. The recent "Name that Former Flyer" in the Fly By is just another way for me to reminisce about past players.
So that got us thinking: Who were the greatest "never-was" players for the Flyers? Yes, this idea is pretty stupid, but it's fun. Maybe you've never heard of these guys before, maybe you have, but when will you ever hear these names again? Probably never.
The criteria for this group is pretty simple: 1) Must have played at least 1 game for the Flyers, but no more than 30; and 2) Have made their NHL debut in the Orange and Black. That's it. We've come up with 20 (well, 19) players who fit this description from the past 20 years to form the "Bombay Blues".
Honorable Mentions - Len Barrie (C), Jeremy Duchesne (G), Kyle Greentree (LW), Martin Houle (G), Jon Kalinski (LW), Boyd Kane (LW), Neil Little (G), David Printz (D), Jared Ross (C), David Sloane (D), and John Stevens (D)
Each player is linked to their hockeydb.com player page, which was the source of record.
Forward Line 1:
LW - Guillaume Lefebvre (2001-'03, 17 games, 0 points)
C - Petr Hubacek (2000-'01, 6 games, 1 goal)
RW - Tomas Divisek (2000-'02, 5 games, 1 goal)
Forward Line 2:
LW - Vaclav Pletka (2001-'02, 1 game, 0 points)
C - Nate Raduns (2008-'09, 1 game, 0 points)
RW - Kirby Law (2000-'04, 9 games, 1 assist)
Forward Line 3:
LW - Mike Maneluk (1998-'00, 14 games, 8 points)
C - Kimbi Daniels (1990-'92, 27 games, 3 points)
RW - Mark Greig* (1998-'03, 30 games, 12 points)
Forward Line 4:
LW - Paul Healey (1996-'98, 6 games, 0 points)
C - Ian MacNeil (2002-'03, 2 games, 0 points)
RW - Jesse Boulerice (2001-'08, 8 games, 0 points)
Defense Pair 1:
Jussi Timonen (2006-'07, 14 games, 4 points)
Bruno St. Jacques (2001-'03, 13 games, 0 points)
Defense Pair 2:
Darren Rumble (1990-'97, 18 games, 1 goal)
Lars Jonsson (2006-'07, 8 games, 2 points)
Defense Pair 3:
Aris Brimanis (1993-'97, 21 games, 3 points)
Nate Guenin (2006-'09, 12 games, 2 points)
Goalies:
Maxime Ouellet (2000-'01, 2 games, .889 S%)
Jean-Marc Pelletier (1998-'99, 1 game, .828 S%)
There you have it. The Flyers' all-time "never-was" list. Unfortunately, Stefan Ruzicka had too many games played. He also was too successful; 17 points in 55 games.
Have any others to add to the list? Any you actually miss - like Bruno St. Jacques? Have some fun.
*Mark Greig made his NHL debut 8 years prior to joining the Flyers, even playing in 95 games before playing 30 games for the Flyers across 4 years. I don't care. He gets the one exemption, not only because he spent three years in the IHL before the Flyers gave him a chance. And besides, it's Mark Greig.
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Kalinski and Ross
are good young players. I think Kalinski has a lot of talent. Ross had an off year in the AHL but still but up 46pts. I dont think its fair to put them on this list…at least not at this time.
Yeah, that’s why they weren’t included.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry I see now that they were in the “honorable mention” section.
by philliesfan314 on Aug 6, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Two Words:
Two NHL games, both with the Flyers. One assist. I remember him screening Ron Hextall during a goal against the Flyers, and Hextall having some words for him afterwards.
I actually remember being happy to get him, since the Flames were (ostensibly) high on him. Oh well.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
haha, he’s a great addition. I thought I put him as an honorable mention, but I guess Kreider only told me to and I ignored him. Oh well.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I did mention him, and you did ignore me.
Flyers Fans: We've survived Lock-outs, Lindros and Cooperalls. If you want to get rid of us, you'll have to split an atom or two.
by KreiderDesigns on Aug 6, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Billy TIbbets and Mike Bollard those guys were traded for guys that never made it.
Jussi Timmonen’s stat line is actually pretty good for a D-man.
Pat Maroon has never was written all of him, unfortunate but true.
None of Tibbets, Bullard, or Maroon fit the criteria.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Tibbetts did not make his NHL debut with the Flyers, though.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
The town went apeshit when they brought Tibbets in here. Anybody else remember that but me?
Guy was convicted of rape, for f’s sake.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
I remember that.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
We gave up Kent Manderville for him. To this day, I’d love to know why.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
because kent was too good defensively. Or maybe because he won too many faceoffs. Locker room shake up? You know, that year, the team needed a veteran presence and leadership in the locker room. Mr Tibbetts commanded the respect of his teammates no matter where he went. Being the immovable force he was, he deserved the respect. The only reason he was traded after a week and half of being on the team is because the rest of the team was afraid they could not be “Half the man Billy Tibbetts was”. They had to get rid of him, his greatness was, well, too great.
I remember he was booed every time he touched the ice. Yeah, I will never understand why they got rid of Manderville. I really appreciate role players, he was one of the better ones of the last decade.
I know Im guilty beating a dead horse
In the 15 games he played for the flyers on the 09-10 season he had 0 Goals 0 Assists
But unfortunately we also dressed him 141 other times before last years contributions, so he is exempt.
Riley Cote once again dose not make the cut for this team either.
Screw Jesse Boulerice. I effing hate that scumbag.
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Yeah, I do too.
Another example of the Flyers drafting assholes/worthless hockey players.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting fact:
Drafted six spots below Jesse Boulerice was Robert Esche.
Yeah, hindsight is… but I don’t care. I’d rather the Flyers have drafted the guy taken immediately after Boulerice who played exactly 0 NHL games. Because that guy became a point-per-game ECHL player. Why he only had 23 AHL games over 7 years is beyond me.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Triston Grant WOO! Or something…. I really only know him from looking through the Milwaukee Admirals’ roster in deciding if I wanted to go to a game or not.
"I did my walk of shame this morning and everyone was so much nicer," she said. "People were inviting me to parties at 9 a.m."
Does Steve “Coates’ Corner” Coates fall under this I am not sure. In his one pro game he scored on a break away while tearing both hamstrings.
Just Call Me "M"!
Researched it and Coates only played that one infamous game for the Detroit Red Wings. From what I have heard, first hand, is that Coates so entertained Clarke over the years, like a clown, that he was kept around for comic relief and the rest is history.
Just Call Me "M"!
hockeydb said 5 games…
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I know I should be researching these before throwing names out there but it spurs more conversation. So what the hell.
Peter, the son in law, White. I know there were a couple games and the infamous playoff year where Lindros took his place and a shot.
Just Call Me "M"!
White played 77 games in 2000-01 alone, but yeah, I was looking at Todd White too.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Glen Seabrooke. 21st overall pick. Yea there was the injury and all but that was after not cracking the line up on several occasions.
Just Call Me "M"!
haha, draft pick busts? That’s a whole other can of worms.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Kirby Law
The mention of Kirby Law absolutely made my day! I was geeking when I saw the name. I remember Lars Jonsson and Jussi Timonen both being players who were kinda hyped up. But they sucked. Great piece!
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Travis and/or Geoff
Hey seeing as we are talking all time lists puck daddy is doing his mount puckmore of teams and I am not sure if you two are in on the flyers but maybe in response we should do a mount rushmore poll and vote on top four.
Just Call Me "M"!
by MJDII on Aug 6, 2010 8:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I'm not against it, but...
Wouldn’t Mount Rushmore be kinda easy though? Bernie and Clarkie are definitely in, then we’re just arguing over Barber, Leach, Hextall, Lindros, etc.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
But we love polls and arguing. Besides those two slots are very arguable. Desjardin, Mcrimmon, hell tocchet or Schultz. Fighting is a big part of the organizations past.
Just Call Me "M"!
by MJDII on Aug 6, 2010 8:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Fanpost?
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 6, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Right but Bernie and Clarkie are retired numbers, won two cups for us, and Clarkie went on and became GM for an age as well. I’d go Barber (honourable mention to Big E) personally for the third. Hall of Fame, retired number and all that. Would perhaps put Lindros only because having three players from the same era is a bit undesirable.
Briere, Betts and Pronger; Briere, Betts and Pronger; Briere, Betts and Pronger;
Our team is so much stronger
We've got Briere, Betts and Pronger...
by PursuitOfLappyness on Aug 6, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m bring this one up for the sake of being thorough, because of the obvious extenuating circumstances involved.
Hopefully you all know me well enough to know I’m not a heartless b* just for saying this…. but on paper, Yanick Dupre just misses your criteria. 4 years, 35 NHL games, with a total of 2 goals and 0 assists. Like I said, there are major health factors involved, but I thought it had to be here for the sake of completeness.
Yeah, good point. I literally didn’t look at anybody with 31 games or more, so I don’t know who’s close to making it.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 7, 2010 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess I think it’s the other way around, and I feel it’s far more heartless for me to call out Dupre (if that was my actual intent, but it really wasn’t my original point)…. Tertyshny wasn’t doing too badly and had a freak accident. He played 1 season, 62 games, and put up 10 points as a D-man, which I think elevates him above this criteria anyway. On the other hand, Dupre was scoring well in the AHL and then not scoring at all when he was in the NHL; but yet we’ll never know how many of those NHL games he played while sick with side effects of his leukemia and what kind of effect that had on him. It’s just that when you look at the stat lines, ignoring all the context, you see a left wing who in 94-95 put up 34 points in 41 games with the Hershey Bears, then came up to the Flyers when the NHL finally resumes play, and played in 22 games without registering a single point. But he may have been far sicker during the time he was up with the Flyers, I don’t remember the circumstances well enough. I’m not sure the public was very well informed about how sick he was until closer to his death anyway.
by DragonGirl0583 on Aug 7, 2010 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not really sure how I feel about this list. I never really shared in any hype for the guys on this list except for the goalies. I’ve heard of most of the players on this list but I never really expected much from them in terms of NHL success.
by tmurder on Aug 7, 2010 12:19 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Fair enough. But excluding the goalies, this is how the draft order shakes out:
1st Round: 1 (Lars Johnsson)
3rd Round: 1 (Daniels)
4th Round: 3 (MacNeil, Brimanis, Guenin)
5th Round: 2 (Boulerice, Timonen)
7th Round: 3 (Pletka, Divisek, Lefebvre)
8th Round: 1 (Healey)
9th Round: 2 (Hubacek, St. Jacques)
Undrafted: 3 (Maneluk, Law, Raduns)
That’s not a lot of high end picks wasted, but a lot of them got extended tryouts for the team, a few were penciled into an NHL job, and a few were solid AHL players whose names got tossed around.
But the point of this isn’t a “look what hyped players busted”, it was just a fun exercise to look back at those players whose stay in Philadelphia was brief, but possibly memorable (St. Jacques, Ouellet, Maneluk, Brimanis, Boulerice, etc.)
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 7, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Other possibles:
Mark Eaton (D, 27 games, 2 points)
Denis Tolpeko (RW, 26 games, 6 points)
Pat Murray (LW, 25 games, 4 points)
An honorable mention under the Grieg Rule to Corey Foster, for playing 4 seasons with 4 teams at ages 19, 22, 26, and 27.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Yeah, not exactly flattering, was it?
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 9, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
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