Flyers' Read hopes to follow in JVR's footsteps

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Even before Mike Richards was traded, the magnetized placard Matt Read was hanging up in Paul Holmgrens office on a line with Richards and Kris Versteeg.

Now Richards and Versteeg are gonebut Read is still here and was among the on-ice contingent at Skate Zone this week during the Flyers prospect camp.

If there is one thing we have learned about the new-direction Flyers this summer its this: Anything is possible.

I didnt know what to think, at first, Read said, adding his friends were texting him after the Richards trade, saying the odds of him making the Flyers roster went up.

Its still a big jump for me. Ive got to come prepared. There could be an open spot. I have to look at it in the way it could be an opportunity for me and opening up a spot for myself. Theyre a developing team that wants to win a Stanley Cup.

Read is the first American-born Flyer since Joel Otto to have played collegiately at Bemidji State in Minnesota. Hes also what youd call a thick player.

Though just 5-foot-10, hes broad-shouldered and a solid 186 pounds. Hes a guy who can play both wing and center. Hell come into training camp this fall with rather intriguing numbers.

Read played just 11 games with the Phantoms after making the jump out of college last spring, compiling seven goals and six assists for 13 points. What everyone wants to know is whether that was an aberrationor something else.

Can he project out to a point-per-game player in the NHL without a full season of understudy in the American Hockey League? Probably not. But what about making the Flyers roster?

There was a reason Holmgren had Reads name on the board. The organization is betting he can. The 25 year old is on a one-way contract, too.

Thats the price of doing business with that type of free agent because of his age, hes out of the entry-level system, Holmgren said. He demands a one-way deal. When you sign him, hes either going to play for you or youre going to live with him in the minors for a little bit of time and hope hes quick to develop.

Matt is a real smart player. When you watch him play, he looks like a hockey player. How quickly it translates into jumping to the NHL, I dont know.

It wasnt mandatory for Read to attend this camp. He volunteered. Hes that eager to get his NHL career going.

Its hard to know where I will be at the beginning of the year, he said. Obviously, the goal is to make the team and well go from there and make goals from there.

As for how those glittering stats for 11 games translate over the course of the season, even Read admits hes never played more than 40 games in any season, and knows its going to take him time to adjust to a pro schedule.

Its a different animal, Read said.

The Flyers think he can handle it.

I saw him play in the Phantoms last game and he was clearly the Phantoms best forward, said Holmgren, adding the organization was impressed that his game didnt drop off despite playing a grueling AHL schedule which often has three games in three nights.

He adapted and in every game, he played good, Holmgren said.

Consider this: other than Reads age, what is so vastly different between him making the jump out of college and James van Riemsdyk doing the same out of New Hampshire in 2009-10?

JVR played seven games out of college at the end of 2009, then played 78 as a rookie for the Flyers.

The jump from college to pro wasnt easy for van Riemsdyk, who had a turbulent rookie season and then gradually blossomed into a stronger, more aggressive forward. Whether hell ever become a consistent power forward isnt known, but he certainly took major steps toward that direction last season.

Which is to say: The transition from college to pro might not be much different for Read.

Ive thought about that, Read said. I went to Adirondack and learned a lot in the 11 games there. I think Im a quick learner. Hopefully, if I get a shot here, I can learn as quick as I can and develop into an NHL player.

It wasnt easy. It was beneficial going up there and playing with their top guys ... I surprised myself for sure.

What impressed the Flyers initially about Read was that hes a responsible two-way on the ice. He had two role models, he said: Sidney Crosby on the offensive side of the puck and Pavel Datysuk on the defensive side.

Defense wins hockey games, Read said. You start in your own zone and go from there.

For Read, this prospect camp is just a start. The real test comes when the full training camp opens in September.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net. Follow him on Twitter at @TPanotchCSN.

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