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The annual World Junior Summer Showcase gets underway today (July 26) through August 1 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario. The Showcase series serves as an evaluation period for players seeking to earn roster spots their respective national teams for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta (Dec. 26, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027).
The Flyers have four North American prospects at this year’s showcase: Carter Amico (USA, Team White), Brek Liske (Canada), Jack Murtagh (USA, Team White) and Jack Nesbitt (Canada).
Philadelphia drafted Nesbitt in the first round (12th overall) of the 2025 Draft. Later, Philly drafted Amico early in the second round (38th overall) and Murtagh (40th overall) two selections later. This year, the Flyers picked Manitoba native Liske in the second round (53rd overall).
Shane Vansaghi (2025 second round, 48th overall) played for Team USA at last year’s WJC. However, he’s not eligible for the 2026-27 WJC. The hard-hitting winger turns 20 on October 11. Max Westergard (2025 fifth round, 132nd overall) represented Finland last year.
Max Laatikainen, drafted by the Flyers in the seventh round of the 2026 Draft, will represent Finland at the 2026 Showcase.
Michkov seems poised for fast start at training camp
Flyers right winger Matvei Michkov is slated to return from Russia to the Philadelphia area at some point within the next couple weeks. The flashy 21-year-old forward made the highlight reels this week with a hat trick — including a Michigan lacrosse-style goal in a late July exhibition game in Russia.
More important than a nifty goal in a no-checking summer exhibition match: from ever indication, Michkov has taken his summer training program very seriously this year. He seems to be in considerably better physical condition than he reported to Flyers’ training camp last year. The player is well-aware that conditioning issues set him back significantly a year ago in the first half of the season.
He appears determined to avoid a repeat. That itself is an encouraging sign.
THN coach rankings: Tocchet places 8th
Offseason rankings — whether for NHL players, prospects, coaches, farm systems or whatever — are designed for filling content space and generating debate. Always view it in that light.
That said, it’s interesting and entertaining when a high-profile publication runs one of these lists. The Hockey News is in the process of doing subjective rankings of all 32 current National Hockey League coaches. They placed Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet in the top one-third of the league, placing him eighth overall. Hockey Hot Stove’s Mike Augello discussed it on THN’s Wrap around Panel.
Team Toyota Spotlight: Simon Benoit
The Flyers acquired defenseman Simon Benoit in the June 16 trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs that also sent goaltender Joseph Woll to Philadelphia. Goaltender Samuel Ersson (now with Ottawa) and defenseman Emil Andrae went the other way in the trade.
Benoit, who will turn 28 on September 19, has one season remaining his contract ($1.35 million cap hit). Last season, he dressed in 73 games for Toronto, chipping in six points (0g, 6a).
The Quebec native is the polar opposite of Andrae as a player. The diminutive Andrae’s biggest strength is his puck-moving ability. Although he’s fearless about taking contact to make a play, the 5-foot-9 blueliner often ends up in physical mismatches.
Conversely, Benoit (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) counts his size and physicality as his main assets. He is also an above-average skater for a player his size.
However, Benoit is well below average as a puck handler. The puck, in fact, is not his friend. Even at the junior hockey level, he never had more than five goals in a season. As a pro, he’s never reached the 20-point mark. Beniot is strictly a third-pair or depth defenseman. However, he can contribute on a penalty kill. Andrae has not killed penalties at the NHL level.
Currently, Benoit slots sixth on the Flyers’ defensive depth chart. Rookie hopefuls such as David Jiricek, Oliver Bonk, or Ty Murchison could push for a top-six spot in camp or during the season.
This week in Flyers History
July 26 is a rare date in Flyers history in that there were no notable Flyers-related events — birthdays, trades, etc. — on this date. However, there were two notable happenings on the 27th of July.
- Andre “Moose” Dupont was born on July 27, 1949. Additionally, defenseman Bob Hoffmeyer, who attended the recent Flyers Alumni Charity Classic Weekend, was born on July 27, 1955.
- On July 23, 1973, the Flyers traded longtime goaltender Doug Favell to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Favell was the player to be named later in the deal that brought Bernie Parent back to Philadelphia. Parent and Favell went way back together in junior hockey(Niagara Falls Flyers), the Boston Bruins farm system and the early years of Flyers history. They were also born just two days apart. Parent was born on April 3, 1945. Favell was born two days later.
Collectors Corner: Dan Vladar
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will be at Carl’s Cards and Collectibles on August 29 for 1p.m. EDT to 2:30.
Autographs are $49 each. Photo-ops are $39 each. Inscriptions are $20 each. You can also add JSA certification for $10. A JSA rep will be onhand.
Ticket Details: each autograph is $49 each for any item, inscriptions are $20 each and can only be purchased once you purchase an autograph ticket. Inscriptions are something Vladar would write in addition to his autograph, for example – Darth Vladar, Let’s Go Flyers, etc. Photo-op tickets include one posed photo with Vladar (limit of 4 people per photo). An autograph is not included with a photo-op ticket.
Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp countdown
The 12th annual edition of the Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp is sold out.
Camp is right around the corner from August 14 to 17, 2026, at the Class of 1923 Arena on the University of Pennsylvania campus. This year’s Flyers Alumni coaches: Mark Recchi, Mark Howe, Patrick Sharp, Joe Watson, Tim Kerr, Keith Jones, and Robert Esche. Flyers Alumni president Brad Marsh is also scheduled to participate as a coach. Marsh, however, is currently hobbled with a knee issue.
HHS Contest: Guffaw Cigars
Hockey Hot Stove’s next random drawing giveaway is scheduled for August 12, 2026. As we did back in June, we’ll give away a sampler pack of Flyers’ Hall of Famer Brian Propp’s premium “Guffaw” cigar line. The Flyers Hall of Fame will autograph the box.
This time, the winner will get to enjoy a box of five Guffaw limited edition 56 x 5 cigars. Deep, refined power with a velvet finish — the Guffaw Limited Edition is built for slow nights and serious palates. Bold from the first draw, it stays smooth and controlled the entire way. Guffaw Limited Edition is a statement cigar: structured, rich, and intentionally layered. Crafted with select tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, it delivers intensity without harshness. The smoke is dense and creamy, with a progression that feels deliberate — evolving steadily, never jumping or turning bitter.
Cold War in Philly
Flyers Community Caravan schedule
Flyers Summer Caravan schedule
Every summer, the Flyers Caravan tour comes around to various areas to promote the upcoming season. There are always special autograph-signing appearances by Flyers Alumni. Likewise, Gritty, the Ice Team, and in-arena host Everett Jackson are regulars at these events. There are also swag giveaways, inflatables and other family-friendly attractions. Preliminary dates:
Wednesday, July 29 – Voorhees, NJ
5:30-7:30 PM | Flyers Training Center | 601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043
Tuesday, August 4 – Cape May, NJ
2:00-4:00 PM | Congress Hall Great Lawn | 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204
Wednesday, August 5 – Mays Landing, NJ
6:00-8:00 PM | Mays Landing Ball Hockey | 3155 Leipzig Ave, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Thursday, August 6 – Ocean City, NJ
12:00-2:00 PM | Sport and Civic Center | 6th St and the Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Wednesday, August 19 – Exton, PA
5:30-7:30 PM | Miller Park | 220 Miller Way, Exton, PA 19341
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