VOORHEES, N.J. – Expectations can be a dangerous thing in sports, especially when you are a number two overall selection in 2007 NHL Entry Draft behind someone who just won the 2008 Calder Trophy, which in this case was Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Calder is given to the league’s Rookie-of-the-year. Just ask Bobby Ryan what it’s like to be drafted number two overall behind some kid named Sidney Crosby. Than you can imagine what it’s like to Ryan and James Van Riemsdyk these days. Van Riemsdyk was taken second overall in last year’s draft by the Philadelphia Flyers right behind Kane. In no other time in the history of hockey are NHL teams feeling the pressure to push their prized prospects through the system sooner and help be a part of their NHL clubs due in large part to the N HL’s salary cap. Still, Van Riemsdyk, or JVR as this reporter refers to him since before he was drafted, doesn’t feel the pressure of a huge paycheck, or the pressure to help the Philadelphia Flyers win more hockey games this upcoming season. Oh trust me, the Flyers have already discussed things with JVR, and his parents, to see if he’d be willing to turn pro this season, but without the promise of a spot on the Flyers roster. JVR turned down the Flyers and will head back to college for his second season with the University of New Hampshire. It was a very mature stance taken by a 19 year old who could have taken the money and left college for traveling first class, and 5 star hotels. But why take something that may or may not have been there for him? That is exactly why, despite the pressure from fan, media, and team management to do the quick and easy thing, JVR took the mature route and didn’t get caught up in all of the trappings of a young hockey player. Still, at the Flyers prospect camp that recently completed, JVR reflected on the past, and looked into the future as well, not only with the Flyers, but with New Hampshire as well. So how was prospect camp this year? Needless to say, a lot has happened to him since being drafted. “I think the past year went pretty well. I think I learned a lot. I definitely thought I grew as the year went on. I think I became a better player as the season went on. I came here to get in better condition and get stronger. I’ve been coming down here nearly every day from Middletown (New Jersey). I know last year after the first day I was dragging, but now I feel that I’m better prepared. I’ve been working on the weights in the morning, than run a little bit on the track.” Some people felt that playing on an larger ice surface at New Hampshire might have been a hindrance playing on an ice surface that is bigger than normal. Was that a good thing of a bad thing? “I think it helped a little bit. I think it worked to my advantage though. You are able to skate more and I think and I think it helped my staking because of it. Especially during skating drills. I think it made me a better player in the end.” So how does New Hampshire look next season? “We should be pretty strong. We lost a couple of really good players, but we’ve come a long way since last year. I know we have some holes to fill, but im confidant we can fill the holes with some of the new guys on the team. ” Last season JVR got to play in his first ever Frozen Four Tournament. What was that experience like? “It was definitely an eye opening experience. We played Notre Dame in the first round and they did the little things better than us, that’s why they won the game. Hopefully next season we will put ourselves in a position to make the tournament next season and go from there.” Interesting enough, despite the fact that the Flyers are not as deep on left wing as they are at center, the Flyers are actually considering moving him from left wing to center. So how does he feel about possibly switching positions? “I think there might be a little bit of a debate about that. When you are a more versatile player you become more important and more valuable to the team. They’re were a little bit of growing pains at first since it was a new position for me. I feel pretty confidant being there though.” What about the pressure to go pro, how does he see things going for him? “I’m just going to take it year-by-year and see how things go, and take things one day at a time. There are a lot of resources here to help me become a better player. Trainer Jim McCrossin is helping me off the ice to become a better athlete. Than you have Craig Berube and Eric Desjardins helping you become a better player. We will see but I am definitely going back to college next season.” Last season JVR had a rare opportunity to play at the World Junior Championships and was the tournaments leading scorer, despite Team USA’s failure to medal. Needless to say it was a great experience for him. “Anytime you can represent your country it’s a huge honor. We came up a little bit short in the end, but I had to raise my game to a higher level and it helped me get better and better.” So far, JVR has represented the Flyers well, and he hasn’t even put on an Flyers jersey yet. He is a class act, someone that any hockey team would be proud to have as one of their own. Sooner than later, he will become a huge part of the Flyers, unless Paul Holmgren loses common sense and decides to trade him for yet another former first round pick that never lived up to expectations (See Jay Bouwmeester for details). The Flyers not only need him for the future, they need him to grow at his own pace. Patience is a virtue. Let’s hope for Van Riemsdyk’s sake, and the Flyers sake for that matter, that the Flyers learn some sooner than later before they trade yet another promising young prospect away. For as much as the Flyers fans want to win the Stanley Cup, even they will agree that some things are worth the wait. Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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