It’s July 28 and Danny Briere is still an NHL free agent. Not a good sign for the former Philadelphia Flyers forward, who was bought out by the team two seasons ago before joining up with the Montreal Canadiens and, more recently, the Colorado Avalanche.
As it turns out, Briere’s well-documented connection with his kids, who still call the South Jersey burbs of Philadelphia their home, is one of the main things keeping him from returning to the NHL this coming season.
Well, that and the fact that he doesn’t have a contract, but he says he’s spent too much time away from his kids since leaving the Flyers, and he doesn’t exactly want to do that anymore.
“If I decide to play, I have to commit to full out training. I’m working out and I’m staying in good shape as of right now. But if I decide to play, I’ve got about two months left to really take it to the next level to be ready for next season.”
And how do the boys feel about it?
“I think they’re kind of torn on it, too,” he admitted.
The past couple of years, they have missed having their father around. But they also understand how special it is to have a dad who is an NHL player, especially given their interest in the game. The three teens will be playing travel hockey in the New Jersey/Philadelphia area this coming season.
“I guess it depends on the day,” Briere said, and that answer seems to apply to both father and sons.
If Briere returns, playing for a team that’s relatively local might be his only option — not the Flyers, of course, but maybe another team in the Metropolitan Division.
Or maybe he just hangs up the skates for good. Briere’s played 973 career NHL games.
