Flyers Notes: Flyers sign speedy New Hampshire forward
NEW YORK - The Flyers on Wednesday signed highly regarded free agent Kevin Goumas, a small but swift left winger/center who starred at the University of New Hampshire.
NEW YORK - The Flyers on Wednesday signed highly regarded free agent Kevin Goumas, a small but swift left winger/center who starred at the University of New Hampshire.
Goumas, 22, the top scorer the last two years for UNH, will spend the rest of the season with the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms on an amateur tryout contract.
"He's got good speed and hockey sense and skill," general manager Paul Holmgren said before the Flyers faced the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. "He's not a great big guy, but we certainly feel like he can help us right now for the Phantoms, anyway."
The Long Beach, N.Y., native had 19 goals and 52 points in 40 games this season.
Holmgren said the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Goumas has some skills similar to those of Matt Read, a former college free agent who has become a Flyers mainstay. "But Matt's a little bit thicker than this young man. But who knows? He's in the organization and we have a front-row seat to watch and see how he does."
Downie update
Winger Steve Downie missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury but is making progress. Holmgren did not rule out a concussion but said there was a chance Downie would skate with the team at practice Thursday.
He is questionable for Friday's game against Toronto, "but looking better after that," Holmgren said.
Downie had a concussion earlier in the season. He was injured Saturday when he collided, face-first, with Patrik Berglund of the Blues.
Tye McGinn filled in for Downie on Wednesday.
Clarke's Hall input
Bob Clarke, the Flyers' senior vice president, was named to hockey's Hall of Fame selection committee. He is expected to push for former Flyer Eric Lindros.
"I know Bob thinks Eric has Hall of Fame numbers, for sure," Holmgren said. "And if he were healthy all those years, who knows where he would have been?"
Breakaways
Ron Hextall, the Flyers' assistant general manager, was selected as a Team Canada assistant GM for the World Championships in Belarus in May. . . . Goalie Anthony Stolarz, a Flyers prospect playing for London, was suspended eight games by the Ontario Hockey League for slashing Windsor's Josh Ho-Sang in the head. . . . Rangers winger Dan Carcillo, a former Flyer, missed the game with the flu.