Flyers Notes: Van Riemsdyk reveling in early success

There's no denying the immediate impact James van Riemsdyk has had on the Flyers this season.

The highly touted rookie from Middletown, N.J., was tied for second on the team with six assists entering last night's game against the San Jose Sharks.

But van Riemsdyk will tell you that none of his early success compared to netting his first NHL goal Saturday in the third period of a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

"It's something you dream about your whole life," he said yesterday. "And for it to finally happen was pretty cool."

Van Riemsdyk missed two of the Flyers' first eight games after suffering a concussion in an Oct. 6 win against the Washington Capitals. Now that the injury is behind him, the left winger can focus on maturing as an NHL player.

"I have confidence in myself," the 20-year-old said. "I trained hard throughout the summer. I thought I was ready to come in and make an impact, and the coaches put me in some good situations with some really good players. And it's not too hard to produce when you're playing with some really good players."

Flyers coach John Stevens teamed van Riemsdyk with Jeff Carter and Danny Briere on Saturday, and the line combined for 20 scoring chances.

The Flyers made van Riemsdyk the second overall pick in the 2007 draft. He is well aware of the expectations surrounding him, and he fully expects to meet them.

But long after Saturday's game, he was still relishing that first goal.

"I was really wired all [Saturday] night after the game," he said. "It was tough getting to sleep."

The Flyers recalled defenseman Oskars Bartulis from the Adirondack Phantoms. Bartulis, a third-round draft pick of the Flyers in 2005, has two goals and one assist in eight games with the Phantoms this season.

- Chris Melchiorre