Cam Atkinson had cuts all over his body, from his face – he needed 75 stitches after Ryan Kesler’s skate injured him – to 17 on his back from Marcus Foligno’s skate and another 10 on his left wrist from then-teammate Alex Wennberg over the boards. Travis Konecny recently had a scare when a skate hit his visor and Travis Sanheim suffered a cut just below his neck and above his shoulder pads while playing junior hockey for the Calgary Hitmen.
On Friday, the trio, already wearing protection including additional Kevlar wrist guards and socks or pants, took the next step in protection by wearing neck guards while training.
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“I just look at it from the perspective of how many years I played hockey compared to being a father,” said Konecny, whose wife gave birth to their second child in July. “For me it’s a no-brainer to put it on. It doesn’t matter, even if it’s hot during the game, it’s a shame. Think of a way to cool down.”
Atkinson, who is a father of three, wore a neck brace as a child in Connecticut but stopped wearing one in high school. On Friday, he wore a Warroad neck and wrist top like Konecny — the company was founded by Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie — and everyone will be wearing it at games starting Saturday, when the Vegas Golden Knights head to the United States for a matinee come to town. The Flyers enter the game having won three straight last month and narrowly lost 3-2 to the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Sanheim wore a Daredevil hockey jersey after asking the company to make him a version, but it’s just a sample and he’s not sure yet when he’ll be able to wear it in a game.
The two types of shirts the Flyers wore had sewn-in wrist guards and a Velcro fastener in the neck that could be opened when things got too hot. Atkinson, who admitted he already uses a fan during breaks because he overheats, didn’t even notice the neck brace when he was wearing it and insisted he was doing what was best for himself and his family.
“Maybe it’s a feeling thing about whether it feels uncomfortable,” Atkinson said when asked why men don’t want to wear the protection. “Maybe guys don’t think it’s cool, but at the same time, freak accidents are happening more and more, and if it’s supposed to save lives, why not?”
The three Flyers are the latest to add neck protection after former Lehigh Valley forward Adam Johnson died Oct. 28 in England when an opponent’s skate blade cut his neck during a professional game. Since then, several NHL players across the league have worn neck guards; Atkinson and Konecny were only able to get their jerseys now because the jerseys are on backorder.
“If we can get some of the older guys on board, it will probably make it a lot easier to push the whole thing forward with the other guys and hopefully make it a team thing,” Sanheim said. “At some point we can get every man to wear it because I think that’s where it’s going to go. I think that’s where it has to go. …It can happen to any of us on any night. So if we can take protective measures without that happening, I think that would be a good thing.”
Tortorella doesn’t refuel
John Tortorella reads every letter he receives. As the bank boss said: “My mail is the highlight of the day for me.” He reads every single one – including the postal form – because he doesn’t want to miss anything that comes from a young fan. But he’s amazed at some of the things he gets.
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“It’s mind-boggling, and we talked about this last year, and I’ll say it again: Stop sending me letters about gas, because that’s not going to happen,” he said. “I know people want that high draft pick and, you know, ‘Next year we’re going to draft’ and ‘You’re not going to win the Stanley Cup, so just lose the game.’
“That’s not going to happen. That’s so wrong and the worst way you can develop your young players.”
Runaway
Winger Bobby Brink will be a healthy substitute for the third straight game against Vegas. He last played in Anaheim. … Defender Marc Staal is “ready to play,” according to Tortorella, but he doesn’t want to commit to getting fit again on Saturday. Staal, wearing all black for the second straight day, was paired with Rasmus Ristolainen on Friday, wearing non-contact yellow. … Atkinson was voted best dressed man at Thursday’s Casino Night event. … Former Flyer Patrick Brown was placed on waivers by the Boston Bruins on Friday.
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