Flyers Notes: York Sat Out for Disciplinary Reasons, Flyers Reportedly Signing College Free Agent

John Tortorella may have been out as Flyers head coach ahead of Thursday’s game, but that didn’t mean the benchings stopped right away. Cam York, who only played 3:50 of Tuesday’s game in Toronto, was stapled to the bench for the duration of the game, never taking a shift despite dressing.

Interim head coach Brad Shaw provided a reason after the game.

“It was just a disciplinary issue and I’m not going to go beyond that,” Shaw said. Shaw added that the plan is for York to play on Saturday against Buffalo.

While the team may not be providing much detail, there were reports that there was a heated verbal exchange between York and Tortorella in Toronto.

Told from a team source that “it’s fair to say” something happened between Cam York and John Tortorella in Toronto, that contributed to the coach’s dismissal on Thursday morning. Was put to me that “they probably both crossed the line.”

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) March 28, 2025

Further to @KKurzNHL report, sources clarify there was no physical altercation btwn Cam York and John Tortorella – but a heated verbal exchange that led to York’s discipline last night.#Flyers couldn’t scratch York because #NHL rules don’t allow teams to voluntarily play short. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 28, 2025

Because of NHL rules, the Flyers could not play without dressing 18 skaters. York was dressed to comply with those rules, but essentially a healthy scratch from the bench. York talked on Friday about how the incident is behind him and he’s ready to move on.

“I’m not going to get into the details of it,” York said. “I will say this: I take full responsibility for my actions and it’s been addressed here in the locker room. It’s something that I’m going to put behind me and move on from. We’ve got eight games left here and that’s my focus right now.”

Flyers Reportedly Signing College Free Agent

With all the news of the Flyers making subtractions, including at the head coach position, the Flyers could have a new addition within the organization soon.

According to a report from Anthony DiMarco of Daily Faceoff, the Flyers are closing in on a deal with college free agent Karsen Dorwart. 

Dorwart, 22, is a 6’1”, 194-pound forward who just completed his third season with Michigan State. This season, he had 13 goals and 31 points in 35 games. Last season, he had 15 goals and 34 points in 38 games.

In his final game with Michigan State, a last-second loss to Cornell in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Dorwart had a goal and an assist.