A tale of two Flyers prospects
by Travis Hughes on Jan 27, 2012 4:53 PM EST
in Philadelphia Flyers Commentary
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Stefan Legein, formerly a prospect in the Flyers organization, was a second-round draft pick in 2007. In his final two junior seasons with the Niagara IceDogs, Legein played 94 games and scored 112 points.
His skill is NHL-caliber, and yet, he's never played a game in the NHL. Not even a sniff. Legein even retired from hockey at age 19 before ultimately coming back to the game a few months later. Two years and a trade to the Flyers organization later, he was demoted from the Phantoms to the ECHL for a time. In October, the Flyers shipped him to the Kings organization for future considerations. In other words, they gave him away for nothing.
Compare Legein to a guy like Harry Zolnierczyk. Not even a point per game player in ECAC Hockey, where the competition is not nearly as high as the Ontario Hockey League. Undrafted. Broke into the pros at age 23, three years after Legein. That certainly sets him back quite a bit in his development as a player.
But here Harry Z sits, a contributing piece on a team that's in the running for the top spot in the Eastern Conference this season. Legein, meanwhile, is still toiling away in the AHL, now a member of his third professional organization. Why is that?
The Flyers sent Zolnierczyk down to the Phantoms for the weekend so he could get some extra work in, while the rest of his Flyers teammates are off either in Ottawa as All-Stars, with family somewhere, or more likely, on a beach. It might just be a meaningless chirp, but here's Legein "congratulating" Harry Z on his new plans for the All-Star break:
It's probably silly to read too far into it, but I think it might be a bit illuminating. Here you see one player making fun of a guy for having to ship off to the desolate expanse of snowy New York for more work instead of taking a vacation to see family. Meanwhile, the player actually asked to put in the extra work? Via the Glens Falls Post-Star:
About 10 minutes after practice formally ended Thursday, Harry Zolnierczyk cradled an armful of pucks tucked in the front of his jersey. One by one he dropped them between two teammates doing some extra work on faceoffs.
This wasn't exactly the place Zolnierczyk expected to be this weekend. But he wasn't in a rush to get off the Civic Center ice, either.
...
They got in around 3 a.m. and a few hours later flew to Manchester, where they played in the Phantoms' 5-1 loss to the Monarchs.
Then it was a four-hour bus ride back to Glens Falls.
"It was a long day of travel with little sleep, but it's good to get back into the game," Zolnierczyk said.
Sometimes it's just about attitude. You can have all the skill in the world, but that doesn't necessarily dictate anything. Harry Zolnierczyk's a pretty hard working dude, as you can tell by his play on the ice and apparently off. There's a reason he's playing for the Flyers right now, and I'd bet that attitude and hard work are big reasons why he's been able to make the transition so quickly.
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It’s like any sport. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t work at it, that talent is going to do you no good.
There’s a ladies’ figure skater who is incredibly talented as seen before, but the past year or two it just seems like there’s no effort being put into skating (including info from articles on her/her coach). She’s started to slip way back in the standings because it seems like she just doesn’t care at all.
Madly in love with Jaromir Jagr's brilliant smile and epic goal salute.
Sean Couturier and Matt Read for joint Calder Trophy winners!
Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun. Definition: Bad-assery on skates
Legein was an offensive producing prospect whose game never transitioned to the pro level. Teams would be looking for him to be a major offensive contributor. Whereas Harry Z is a hard skating tough grinder that is only expected to fill a 4th line roll, so any offense is just a bonus.
2 completely different roles is the only explanation I can come up because I know nothing about the kid; attitude, work ethic, team player etc.
by kckrebs on Jan 27, 2012 5:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions
To me its like comparing Jody Shelley to Ryan Potulny. God damn you DSOD!
by kckrebs on Jan 27, 2012 5:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I like that nhl12 calls Harry z a sniper. Oh NHL12 you so funny.
by KornontheKobb on Jan 27, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
NHL 12 also called Matt Read a sniper. And Andreas Nodl, I think.
by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 27, 2012 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
Umm Matt Read is a sniper. Leads rookies in goals right?
by kckrebs on Jan 27, 2012 6:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
@ i hear he is available@
Beets,Bears,Battlestar Galactica.
MICHAEL!
Political Correctness - the belief that one can pick up a turd by the clean end.
"I got a crosscheck to the face and lost a bunch of teeth. You battle through it. That’s the way hockey players are made." - Claude Giroux
Don’t think that works as an excuse for Legein. Players can change their style and contribution when they realize that what they have isn’t working out. Andreas Nödl was above a point-per-game in Sioux Falls and St. Cloud State in his last 3 years there, but couldn’t manage to keep this up in the pros. So he became a defensively sound bottom six forward and at least has a job in the NHL.
Expectation doesn’t mean that you have to fill that role or else you’re toast. It’s also about what you’re willing to do. I can’t judge Legein in full, but he doesn’t particularly strike me as someone with a big work ethic, and that’s the point of the article really. Harry Z definitely has work ethic, and that can go a long way.
Sorry, Travis...
… But you are so, so, SO far off base here I may need to resign my BSH membership and burn my SBNation account in the fires of your shame. This has ZERO to do with attitude, nothing associated with work ethic and certainly no relationtionship to skill.
It’s all about the name.
You see, I happen to be a linguistics expert in precisely the two ethnic backgrounds of those youngsters (and no, I didn’t bring my diplomas with me to the Internets today, I’ll show you later).
Think about how you’d say those names. Leh-gaaaaaiiinnn… It even looks depressingh. It’s got no hip nor hop, and absolutely no pizzazz. It ends on such a DOWN note…
Whereas Harrison is ZOL-ner-CHUCK! You can’t just say it, it only leaves your mouth as a shout, a war cry! ZOL-ner-CHUCK! It ends on such a powerful up-note, you almost say “Norris” right after just because! Even his nickname, Harry Z! Evokes an instant feeling of victory! The good feeling and solid play of this team is entirely due to the sheer awesome from Sir Harrison’s outstaning nomenclature!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go explain to the NHL why the Norris trophy should go to Harrison over Lidstrom, such is the might of his Chuck.
by VorAbaddon on Jan 27, 2012 6:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Exposing yourself on the Internet doesn't help either!
-bob
by Rrainone on Jan 27, 2012 6:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The guy walked away from the game just as he was getting his big chance.
I would suggest he may have “issues”.
If that’s the case, I’m not making fun of the guy; there’s lots of that kind of illness in the world.
by Dave in Kitchener on Jan 27, 2012 7:05 PM EST reply actions
Better article from 2008 here:
Bottom line: I don’t think it’s a fair comparison. I know there are kids with bad attitudes who think the world owes it to them, but I don’t think that’s the case here. One day they couldn’t keep him off the ice, and the next day, they couldn’t get him back on it. This guy was “mixed up”, and maybe still is.
by Dave in Kitchener on Jan 27, 2012 7:13 PM EST reply actions
One thing that I love about the current roster:
A- Kimmo Timonen, former NHL captain
A- Danny Briere, former NHL captain
A- Claude Giroux, future NHL captain, former Gatineau Olympiques captain
A- Jaromir Jagr, former NHL captain
Matt Read, captain of Bemijdi State last season
Harry Zolnierczyk, captain of Brown University last year
Braydon Coburn, former Portland Winterhawks captain
Scott Hartnell, former captain of the Prince Albert Raiders
That’s some serious leadership and I’m sure I missed a few…
by OrangeNblacK on Jan 27, 2012 7:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Sadly, I’m guessing you didn’t forget Pronger
by The Gang Wins the Cup on Jan 27, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Def Pronger but I’m sure you know that.
How about Talbot? He seems to evoke a lappy-esque attitude from those around him..
Brayden Schenn – captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings
Of Philadelphia:
I always think it's a sign of victory when they move on to the ad hominem.
Talbot was captain in Gatineau, too. Plus Carle was captain of his college team.
Once you start going all the way back though, there’s probably even more of them who were a captain at some point. How meaningful it is might start to get watered down when you realize how many of the players were a captain at some point in their lives.
Warning: Arguing the NHL CBA with me could be hazardous to your mental health. Proceed at your own risk.
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 29, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
If you’re seriously asking, it was a burn in the 80s-90s. Like saying “not” after something.
G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*
by JerseyDriver on Jan 27, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
It should be spelled “sike!” technically.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Also true, but you can’t tell these kids anything today /s
G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*
by JerseyDriver on Jan 27, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking that
Warning: Arguing the NHL CBA with me could be hazardous to your mental health. Proceed at your own risk.
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 27, 2012 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
Nope – although it amuses me, because at the time in the ‘80s it bothered me that it was spelled ’sike’ rather than ‘psych’.
Maxime Talbot - in the Orange and Black ... better than chocolate and peanut butter!
by MaximumTalbot on Jan 28, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
Oh sike. Well he just mispelled it. Gotcha
by blimblam on Jan 28, 2012 2:41 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
These young guys we have now have a great attitude when it comes to the game. Very little partying and no hangover maintenance days off. It’s very refreshing. Mix in the vets with leadership skills and I’d say we have a great team. Now if only we can get our goalie back on track I’d say we could even be a dangerous team.
Very little partying and no hangover maintenance days off.
And you know this how? Did they tell you? Did Laviolette tell you?
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Everyone should get hangover maintenance days off, IMO.
"I wouldn’t run if there was a fire. I wouldn’t run anywhere. I hate running." - O. Munn
by doubleh on Jan 27, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Thank you.
G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*
by JerseyDriver on Jan 27, 2012 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
The Briere house has a pretty tight early curfew.
Simon Gagne AND Mike Richards may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, they will both always be Philadelphia Flyers.
One day Sean Couturier will win the Conn Smythe. You heard it here first.
by PursuitOfLappyness on Jan 28, 2012 3:54 AM EST up reply actions
I've figured it out
Harry Zolnierczyk, captain of Brown University last year
After the success of former Princeton Tiger Darroll Powe, the Flyers have decided to maintain their one-man quota of Ivy League alumni.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
They could do worse
At least they play hockey in that conference! And they’re “smart”, too :-)
by Georgia_Flyer on Jan 27, 2012 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
Powe was captain his senior year too, wasn’t he?
Warning: Arguing the NHL CBA with me could be hazardous to your mental health. Proceed at your own risk.
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 27, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
I am so glad that NBC sports has been showing so much hockey and hockey related programming. I think its great that they have been showing college hockey on Friday nights. Yale and Harvard has been very entertaining.
"When the Flyers win a playoff series, as they did this past year, is when you yell at me for being wrong? Because I said the Flyers won’t win a round"?
Geoff Detweiler.
The fact that Yale-Harvard is a matchup worth featuring is one of my favorite things about college hockey. I really wish Penn was in ECAC with the other Ivy schools, just so I could go to the games.
Flyers, Phillies, Union, Eagles, Phantoms, Wings.
I just went to their website.
Back in the mid/late ’80s there were A and B club teams. I played for both, mostly B. Looking at their schedule this year they must have combined the teams because the opponents look like a mix of both, mostly B. We played Penn State back then, Columbia and Navy and I think Army as well.
The league looks more organized and broader now. I would be so happy if they went NCAA again.
/s, more often than not
by flyersfaninchicago on Jan 28, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it’s pretty common for a school to have a club hockey team in ACHA. It’s about funding though, and most schools don’t have on-campus rinks to support teams.
What I find odd is that Penn (and Delaware for that matter) do maintain on-campus rinks, which seems like it would be a big part of the cost of having a hockey team.
Flyers, Phillies, Union, Eagles, Phantoms, Wings.
HAHA
#suspension @JLupul: Gary Bettman told me I handled the boo’s very well last night… And that’s coming from an expert in the field."
Quoth Scotty
"I wouldn’t run if there was a fire. I wouldn’t run anywhere. I hate running." - O. Munn
But despite firing 53 shots on goal, Phantoms lose to Bridgeport 6-2. Z was the #3 star of the game.
Score effects or just crappy luck/goaltending
G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*
by JerseyDriver on Jan 27, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
Which should have a question mark at the end but typing fail
G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*
by JerseyDriver on Jan 27, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Yet another narrative
Simon Gagne AND Mike Richards may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, they will both always be Philadelphia Flyers.
One day Sean Couturier will win the Conn Smythe. You heard it here first.
by PursuitOfLappyness on Jan 28, 2012 6:52 AM EST reply actions
I think once you’ve quit hockey, you’ll be known as “The Quitter” until proven otherwise. Fair or not – I believe that’s the perception. So you have to work that much harder than your peers, because it’s like you wear a scarlett ‘Q’ on your sweater until you prove your doubters wrong. That’s a heavy burden, but just a fact of life for Legein at this stage of his career.
Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life
Scared straight?
Scrabble had his scare with the videocamera issue and sometimes when people get a second chance, they realize it could be their last and make the most of it
The competition around might not be as high in ECAC as OHL, but generally a player who gets close to point/game in college hockey is more impressive that one who does so in major junior, just because the game is tighter-checking and more focus on defense-first often times. The effort definitely is what sets Z apart from other prospects though. That and raw speed, good awareness defensively, etc. He’s good great 4th liner skills, we’ll see where he goes from there.
generally a player who gets close to point/game in college hockey is more impressive that one who does so in major junior, just because the game is tighter-checking and more focus on defense-first often times.
But what about the fact that the CHL has better players and a longer schedule? I just feel that this is an overly-simplified comparison if you aren’t taking into account the talent difference between the leagues or the grind that CHL players go through compared to NCAA players.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Jan 29, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
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