Flyers sign local defenseman T.J. Brennan

Free agent T.J. Brennan, a high-scoring minor-league defenseman with local ties, signed a contract with the Flyers on Tuesday and then spent several hours answering congratulatory calls.

"My phone," he said, "has blown up."

The much-traveled Brennan, a Moorestown native, signed a multiyear contract, general manager Ron Hextall announced.

Brennan, 27, ranks fifth in AHL history in goals scored (113) by a defenseman. He said he was on a two-way, two-year deal, one that carries a reported $625,000 annual salary-cap hit if he is with the big-league team.

"They're an organization that is close to my heart because I grew up around here," said an excited Brennan, who followed the Flyers as a youngster and idolized players such as Eric Lindros, Dan McGillis, and Hextall. "One of my first true loves for the game was watching them play, and to be able to sign here and now say I'm part of the Flyers organization in some ways is a dream come true."

The Flyers have a crowded defense, which may include Ivan Provorov, a junior-league sensation.

If one includes Brennan, Provorov and restricted free agent Brandon Manning — who was recently given a qualifying offer — the Flyers will have nine defensemen battling for six spots. And that doesn't include highly touted prospects Travis Sanheim and Sam Morin, among others.

If Brennan begins the season with the Phantoms, he could be paired with Sanheim.

Brennan, selected in the second round by Buffalo in the 2007 draft, spent the last 1 1/2 years in Toronto's organization. For most of last season, the 6-foot-1, 213-pounder was with the Maple Leafs' minor-league affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He had 25 goals and 68 points in 69 regular-season games, then added five goals and four assists in 15 Calder Cup playoff games.

After the season, he won his second Eddie Shore Award, given to the AHL's best defenseman.

"It's definitely something very exciting," Brennan said of the signing. "There's definitely a lot of work to be done, but for my personal life and my hockey career, there's some very big steps I've taken, and I'm very excited that the relationships are starting with the Philadelphia Flyers and that I'm getting the opportunity."

In the last two seasons, he appeared in a total of 13 NHL games with Toronto, notching a goal and an assist.

Brennan, who played hockey and lacrosse at Moorestown High, has appeared in 53 NHL games with Buffalo, Toronto and Florida, collecting five goals and 13 points.

He will try to earn a roster spot during training camp. If he is sent down to the Phantoms, as expected, Brennan made it clear he is a team player.

"I live my life day by day," he said, "and whatever happens — making the Flyers or playing in the AHL — I think it's a bonus. I feel very fortunate to be able to do something I'm passionate about and to get paid for it."

Snider mansion for sale

Ed Snider's California mansion is up for sale for $52 million, according to the Orange County Register.

The Flyers' co-founder, 83, died April 11 after a two-year battle with bladder cancer.

The 9.4-acre estate, located in Montecito and lavishly landscaped, totals 21,345 square feet.

In addition to the eight-bedroom main house, the property includes a two-story tennis pavilion with a wet bar and rooftop viewing deck, a two-bedroom guest house and a swimming pool with a one-bedroom cabana, the paper reported.

A flagpole with a Flyers flag greets visitors as they approach the mansion, along with a circular pool with a fountain, surrounded by hedges with sheared openings that reveal ornamental urns.

The estate has a famous neighbor: Oprah.

Breakaways

Twenty-four NHL restricted free agents, including Brayden Schenn, Manning, and Jordan Weal, filed for salary arbitration Tuesday. Hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20 to Aug. 4. Last July, Michael Del Zotto filed for arbitration but ended up signing a two-year, $7.75 million contract before a hearing was held. … The Flyers' development camp, featuring their young prospects, begins Thursday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees starting at 8:30 a.m. … The Phantoms signed goalie Martin Ouellette and forward Mark Zengerle to AHL contracts.

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