Not awkward at prospect camp for JVR's brother
VOORHEES, N.J. – It’s only been two weeks since the Flyers dealt winger James van Riemsdyk to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but there’s already another skater wearing a van Riemsdyk jersey around the halls of the team’s practice facility.
And though it might seem like a bit of an awkward situation for 20-year-old Trevor van Riemsdyk, he isn’t at all uncomfortable about attending prospect camp, which kicked off Monday morning, even though his older brother is no longer a member of the Flyers organization.
“No, I don't feel it's awkward,” he said. “I mean, it happens in the business, people get traded. Anyone can get traded, obviously, [GM Paul Holmgren] has done some pretty big moves these last few years. I'm a different person. I guess some can see it as a little bit awkward, but I really don't feel that way.”
Certainly, so far, Trevor has followed in his brother’s footsteps. Both he and James attended Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey, and now, just as James did, Trevor attends the University of New Hampshire.
But with the exception of a smile and demeanor that call to mind his older brother, the similarities between the two largely end there. Trevor is a defenseman, invited to Flyers’ prospect camp not as a draft pick but as an invitee. James, of course, was the No. 2-overall pick in the 2007 draft.
That said, Trevor knows a lot about the Flyers organization, despite growing up in Middletown, N.J. – known primarily as Devils country. James, he said, had only good things to say about the Flyers, something that continued on through the end of his three-year tenure wearing orange and black.
“James has always had nothing but the best to say,” he said. “Now that he’s gone, he didn’t have any harsh words to say going out. He has nothing but praise. It’s cool to be here. Obviously, for myself, I just feel thankful that I got the opportunity and I’m going to try to make the most of it.”
Van Riemsdyk (6-2/185) also had the opportunity to attend the Ottawa Senators’ prospect camp at the end of June, also as an invitee. Though he was eligible for this year’s draft, he was passed over by each of the league’s 30 teams.
And so for “TVR,” this week’s camp is about absorbing as much as he can and learning from the coaches and mentors who taught his brother. That’s exactly what James reminded him before he arrived in Voorhees ahead of Monday’s Day 1 of camp.
“Just enjoy it and work hard, and everything else will take care of itself,” were James' words of wisdom, he said. “Don’t try to do too much, just try to be yourself and see what they think about it, but don’t try and do too much or try to impress anyone. Just be yourself.”
Family affairVan Riemsdyk was only one of a few prospect camp participants with familial ties to current or former Flyers players and coaches.
In addition, Braydon Coburn's brother, Greg, is attending camp as an invitee; Nick Luukko, Peter Luukko's son, is attending his second prospect camp; Chase Hatcher, Derian's son, has returned to camp; and former coach John Stevens' son John is participating, as well.
Sestito agrees to dealForward Tommy Sestito on Monday agreed to a one-year deal with the Flyers worth $605,000. He has not yet signed the contract, however.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com
