FLYERS NEWS

The Flyers have completed training camp and preseason play. They get the regular season under way tomorrow night in Carolina against the Hurricanes. As for the preseason the Orange and Black went 2-3-2 overall, but played a lot better than their record would indicate. All in all they appear to headed in the right direction as the season begins. There are a few important things to note from the preseason. First backup goalie Brian Boucher was injured during the preseason, and so the Flyer's backup goalie is currently the rookie Jonas Backlund. Apparently Backlund didn't look so good in the preseason and he's also nicked up so Ray Emery better be worth his weight in gold. Of the players to make the Flyers final roster, some notable additions are 1st round draft pick from 2 years ago, James Van Reimsdyk, a 20 year old winger who was participating in his 1st NHL training camp, and veteran center Blair Betts, late of the Rangers, who was just signed to a 1 year contract today. Van Reimsdyk has a lot to live up to. After his exploits at New Hampshire university and as a member of team USA at the junior world cup, he has been touted as the best U.S prospect to come along in some time. It is no surprise to see him join the Flyers this season, it's just surprising to see him start the season with them. Hopefully it won't be too much for him to handle. As for Betts he'll likely center the Flyer's 4th line, filling the one hole the team really had, after all those additions they made on defense this offseason. He is supposed to be very good on faceoffs and on the penalty kill and that's pretty much all you can ask for from a guy on the 4th line.