VOORHEES, N.J.When he leaned up against a wall to chat with a teammate outside of the Flyers locker room earlier this week, the player who wore No. 60 on his jersey looked eerily familiar.
As it turns out, there was a good reason for that. This years prospect camp is practically defined by its family tiesand No. 60 is one of five participants with relations to current or former Flyers players or coaches. Hes Braydon Coburns younger brother, Greg.
Ive been to Skate Zone about probably five or six times, Coburn said. Ive been through the locker room, Braydon has shown me through. Its nice that it wasnt such a shock when I got here. But its definitely humbling to be here and see so many great names on the wall and stuff like that.
Coburn, 23, is attending this weeks prospect camp as an invitee. Hes currently a rising senior at Union College, where he plays defense in a pairing with recent Flyers' draft pick Shayne Gostisbehere, who's also attending camp (see story).
His familiar name and likeness are a big part of why Coburn has drawn a fair amount of media attention over the past few days, despite his relative anonymity amongst a group of accomplished prospects. But, he said, though its fair to say theres a spotlight on him because of his surname, he doesnt feel any added pressure.
No, I dont think so, he said. There is extra pressure there, but Im just trying to be myself and be the player that I can be.
Last season at Union, Coburn recorded five goals and nine assists in 40 games, helping his team to a 26-8-7 record. Hes not at camp because hes expecting the Flyers to sign him, but his older brother did have a few words of wisdom for him to keep in mind during his week here in New Jersey.
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He just said to enjoy it, Coburn said. Just to learn a lot, and ask a lot of questions and just have fun.
Prospect camp, led this year by new Flyers director of player development Ian Laperriere, isn't an occasion for players to earn or lose spots on the 2012-13 Flyers' rosterLaperriere has emphasized that repeatedly. Instead, it's an opportunity for players new to the Flyers' organization or searching for a spot in the future to work on fundamentals they can build on going forward in their careers.
And that's a welcomed opportunity for Coburn, who is one of the older players taking the ice at Skate Zone this week. He only wants to have fun and learn as much as possible while he's here in the building his older brother spends so much time in.
Just showcase my skills and do the best that I can, he said.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com