It's time for another edition of Between the Pipes. Here are a few stories in Flyers hockey and around the NHL that are trending right now.
Al Arbour passes away at 82 – [New York Islanders] [Tim Panaccio – CSN Philly]
The legendary Islanders head coach who helped lead the team to four straight Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983, one of those against the Flyers, passed away on Friday at the age of 82. Arbour had tremendous success as a coach, spending 1,499 games behind the bench from his hiring in 1973 to his retirement in 1994. He returned to the Islanders bench as a special guest for one game in 2007, allowing his to reach the 1,500-game plateau. His 740 wins behind the Islanders bench remains an NHL record for a coach who stayed with one team. He also added 119 playoff wins. Arbour was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.
Phantoms sign pair of goalies – [Brent Baldwin – Flyerdelphia]
The Phantoms made an announcement that goalies Martin Ouellette and Connor Knapp had signed AHL contracts on Thursday night. The Phantoms have four goalies under contract, giving the Flyers some depth at the pro level while recently drafted prospects like Felix Sandstrom and Matej Tomek progress through their junior and college years. Ouellette and Knapp will likely be competing for the starting job with the Reading Royals, as Anthony Stolarz and Jason LaBarbera share duties in Lehigh Valley.
Wayne Simmonds helps NHLPA donate equipment – [Broad Street Hockey]
There have been several acts of charity in the hockey community, several involving Flyers, perhaps none more notable than Dave Hakstol's day with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. Wayne Simmonds did his part on Friday, in conjunction with the NHLPA's Goals and Dreams. The Flyers forward was part of a program that donates hockey equipment to children who may not be able to afford or obtain their own gear and offers the chance for them to play hockey.
