Oh, I don't care about the players. I mean, of course I do but the article is about the Phantoms, and those are the guys that just happened to be the rising young prospects on the team that particular year (which also coincided with the lockout). Great story in there about how Sharp agreed to move to wing if he was going to be playing with Carter.
Those years at the Spectrum were a good time, and the fan base was big enough and passionate enough to support both teams, and probably still would be if the Spectrum was standing. Especially with many people not being able to afford Flyers tickets, or just enjoying the way the AHL team more resembled following the Flyers in the '60s and '70s in terms of community and player accessibility (and every seat in the house also better).
And they also won two more championships than the parent club has.
Allentown's a good market, nice little arena and convenient location, but completely different fan experience. Also being selfish here as I would go to 10 Phantoms game a year if they were in Philly. Lucky to do one a year in the LV.
As for the players, kind of ironic Patrick Sharp actually works for the Flyers now. And John Stevens obviously wasn't meant to be an NHL head coach but he has three Stanley Cups as an assistant to go with his Calder as a HC.
Kjell Samuellson was also with the Phantom that year, and for many more, including a few interim HC stints. But he never had an on-bench or NHL practice coaching job with the Flyers, so this new hire is indeed the first-ever European Flyers coach.
