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I just returned to Philadelphia last night from the Flyers Alumni Association’s week-long golfing and site-seeing trip to Ireland. While we were there, I kept a daily journal, highlighting each day’s activities, the places we saw and people we met. I had fun writing it.
Today, I am playing catch-up on various orders of business for Hockey Hot Stove, upcoming articles PhiladelphiaFlyers.com and coverage planning for the Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp (Aug. 15-18). Meanwhile, I hope the Flyers Alumni work again with Executive Global Tours for a future trip. This year’s trip, minus flight delays and cancellations (which are beyond travelers’ and travel organizers’ control), was an absolute blast.
It’s hard to pick one “favorite” part of the trip. However, meeting Ray McAdam, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, was probably the most unique thing the Alumni did during the week. One of the travelers on our trip, Bill Carabasi, is the grandson of the late Matthew McCloskey. Mr. McCloskey was the United States ambassador to Ireland during John Kennedy’s administration. Additionally, McCloskey and Company Builders was the company that built the Spectrum and Veterans Stadium in South Philadelphia. Matthew McCloskey’s son, Thomas (Bill Carabasi’s uncle), headed the day-to-day planning aspects of Spectrum construction.
Given the back story involved, and the fame of the Flyers’ brand, Mr. McAdam came in person to meet the Alumni and Mr. Carabasi. He also met with Dan Maggiani, who serves as the presenting sponsor for the Alumni’s various fundraising events. Dan is also the owner of Cover All Exteriors, the content sponsor for my Flyers blogs, Chris Therien’s “Therien’s Take” blogs and the flagship Hockey Hot Stove podcast, Off the Post.
Upcoming Philly content on Hockey Hot Stove
If you haven’t already done so, check out Anthony Mingioni’s blog. Anthony discusses how he thinks Rick Tocchet will deploy his defensive pairs. Meanwhile, Haley Talor Simon will interview Flyers Alum, former Phantoms assistant coach and current Nasty Knuckles co-host Riley Cote. The interview will be published on Haley’s Flyers Pulse podcast here on Hockey Hot Stove as well as on her YouTube channel.
Come Saturday, I will resume my normal Flyers daily blogs. Up first: Part three of my Flyers systems series, looking at the systems Tocchet employed in Arizona and Vancouver. Part 1 looked the box +1 defensive system. Part 2 looked at breakouts. Tomorrow, in Part 3, we’ll talk about forechecking (offensive zone and neutral zone). The final part, coming in late August, will look at the power.
The next installment of Therien’s Take will run on Monday. Bundy will explain his thoughts on how the Flyers can improve their long-struggling power play under new assistant coach Yogi Svejkovsky.
During the Alumni trip to Ireland, I spoke to Bill Clement. The Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster will be the guest on an upcoming edition of the Off the Post podcast.If you missed the most recent Off the Post, Jeff Marek was the guest. A couple weeks ago, the Off the Post crew (Mike Augello, Russ Cohen and Anthony Mingioni) had Chris Johnson on the pod.
Speaking of podcasts, within the next few weeks, Chris Therien will launch the Rusty Skates podcast here on HHS. The premise is simple: Bundy and an NHL Alumni guest will shoot the breeze on whatever is on their minds.
Flyers Daily: Alyn McCauley
On the current edition of the Flyers Daily podcast (the Flyers’ official flagship pod), Jason Myrtetus has an in-depth conversation with Alyn McCauley. Alyn, of course, is one of the Flyers three assistant general managers to Danny Briere. Alyn serves as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ de facto general manager while overseeing player development and pro scouting matters. Do not be surprised if Alyn becomes a head general manager in the NHL sometime in the future. Brent Flahr oversees amateur scouting and NHL Draft matters. Barry Hanrahan is in charge of salary cap and CBA compliance.
On the current Flyers Daily, Alyn and Jason discuss the following topics, among others:
- Porter Martone’s decision to attend Michigan State in 2025-26.
- The Phantoms and their new coaching staff.
- Developmental prospects for players in the Flyers’ system.
- Alyn’s interactions and working relationship with Tocchet.
- What traits define a “winner”
