Phantoms Coach Paterson Assessing His Talent Early
VOORHEES, N.J. — Adirondack Phantoms coach Joe Paterson has been on the ice with the Flyers’ rookies every day of this three-day camp. When the Flyers’ camp starts — including veterans — and they decide whom they don’t need, he’ll have a good idea of who he’ll be coaching this season.
But with all the talent on the ice, it’s tough for him not to let the gears turn in his head a little early and think ahead to who might be donning some purple with their orange and black this year.
“Going through it, you’re not really sure what’s gonna happen in terms of some of the talent, because some of these kids are still the age of juniors, so they’ll be going back to juniors as well,” Paterson said.
“We had some players like [Eric] Wellwood and Luke Pither and Harry [Zolnierczyk] played last year for the Phantoms and are in the lineup as well here — and Zac Rinaldo —they’re good in the lineup for a good comparison. It seems like those guys and Brayden Schenn and [Sean] Couturier are skating very well. They look very good.”
Not only is Paterson seeing new guys like Tyler Brown, Brendan Ranford and Tye McGinn who will likely join him in Aridondack, but he’s also seeing some of his veteran players improve in terms of leadership, helping the younger players.
“They’re doing a great job out there in terms of adding that leadership and some of the drills so that’s a real good thing,” he said. “Then you get to see someone that has a year of experience in the American League going against some of the younger players in practice and competing against them so it’s a good measuring stick for the whole organization.”
But like Peter Laviolette mentioned earlier this week, the real test will come on Thursday night when the Flyers’ prospects face the Washington Capitals’ prospects.
“We don’t try and judge too much on one day or two days,” Paterson said. “We try and take a long look at them so it’s exciting to see them get better every day in practice and see them get more comfortable.
“Some of these kids are coming in here and want to be comfortable in the environment too, so it’s good to see that as well.”
Thanks to his work during the camp, once the rosters are set, Paterson will likely have already made an imprint on most of the players who will join him on Oct. 8 when the Phantoms open their season against the Connecticut Whale.
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