Flyers' Timonen making progress, will play in golf benefit
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who will miss at least part of the season as he recovers from blood clots, is apparently making progress because it was announced Wednesday that he will be able to participate in the team’s benefit golf invitational Sept. 16.
"We got the good news this week _ that he is able to play," said Scott Tharp, president of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall did not answer messages asking for an update on Timonen's condition on Wednesday night.
Last month, Timonen was treated at a Finland hospital for blood clots in his lungs and his lower right leg. At the time, Hextall said it was a "long-term situation," and the Flyers later signed free-agent Michael Del Zotto to fill the void.
Timonen will play in the golfing event at Trump National in Pine Hill; proceeds benefit the Snider Youth Foundation, and Tharp said they were on target to raise over $1 million.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux missed last year's tournament because of a freak injury suffered on an Ottawa golf course _ his club shattered and splintered his right index finger, which required tendon surgery. He resumed golfing this summer and he will participate in the Sept. 16 event. A Flyer will be playing in each of the 23 foursomes.
Giroux said he has been taking his golf shots "nice and easy" after last year's injury, and that he has not had any issues.
"But I'd rather be on the ice," he said in a conference call with reporters.
With Scott Hartnell traded to Columbus, the Flyers will be searching for a left winger to fill his spot on Giroux's unit. Michael Raffl is among the candidates, and Giroux said the winger has "great potential and lots of passion."
"We're not looking for one good line, but four good lines," said Giroux, who dismissed questions about his arrest in July for jokingly grabbing a policeman's buttocks, saying it's "over with."
The Flyers will start camp Sept. 19 at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. The club will hold its five-day rookie camp in Voorhees starting Sept. 12, and it will culminate with a Sept. 16 game against the Washington Capitals rookies at the Skate Zone at 3 p.m.
The Flyers will have 27 players in rookie camp, and expected attendees include former first-round draft picks Scott Laughton, Sam Morin and Travis Sanheim, along with highly regarded prospects Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, and Anthony Stolarz.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.