Patrick Sharp trades TV glamor for central role with the Flyers
Photo credit: The New York Times
Patrick Sharp's journey from trade regret to Flyers' future builder.
In a twist of fate that still stings for many Philadelphia Flyers fans, December 2005 saw Patrick Sharp traded to the Chicago Blackhawks�a move that would later haunt the Flyers as Sharp ascended to NHL stardom.
Initially swapped along with Eric Meloche for Matt Ellison and a 3rd round pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, Sharp's potential was yet to be realized.
It wasn't until he reached 26 that Sharp hit his stride, netting 36 goals in the 2007-2008 season and becoming a pivotal figure in the Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup victory.
His career achievements include a gold medal with Team Canada in 2014, and impressive career stats with 287 goals and 337 assists across 939 NHL games.
After retiring in the 2017-2018 season, Sharp returned to Philadelphia, not as a player but in a new role as a special advisor to hockey operations.
This position was crafted to leverage his experiences and insights to help capture overlooked talents�players who might otherwise slip through the cracks.
«Being the 95th pick overall and turning into the type of player that he did is huge, but what I really focused on was the fact that he was with an organization, and they didn't see it, and they traded him,» Jones noted. «It happened to be us.»
«You never want to give up on a player too soon. So having that perspective, I think, is a good reminder to all of us that some of these kids may not be great today, but there may be signals that they're going to be great in the future that we want to be careful not to miss.»
Now at 42, Sharp actively participates in the Flyers development camp, sharing his knowledge and passion daily on the ice.
His impact isn't just felt in strategic meetings; it's visible on the rink, where he easily connects with young hopefuls.
«It's really cool to see him out here,» remarked Jett Luchanko, Flyers 2024 first-round pick. «Looks like he could still be playing. You can tell he just loves the game.»
Sharp's new role takes him across the country from his base in Connecticut, enabling him to scout, meet, and mentor draft picks personally, as evidenced by his multiple meetings with prospect Cutter Gauthier.
«Being around the team, being around the players, being around our younger players. Working with Nick Schultz and Riley Armstrong on the development staff,» Sharp shared when asked about his duties. «Doing what you (saw last week), being out there laughing, joking, and being a hockey player again. I missed that part of it in the six years of retiring from the game. I missed thinking and talking hockey.»
His return to the rink is a rejuvenation for Sharp, who admits that while television kept him connected to the sport, it never replaced the thrill of being part of a team.
His conversations with former teammate and broadcaster Brian Campbell helped cement his decision to return to hockey operations.
«He was doing the TV and I just kind of explained to him how much I'm enjoying being a part of a team now,» Campbell explained. «That's why we kept talking about it. I know him inside, and what fuels him and what makes him tick and gets the adrenaline going. I felt that was a natural fit for him to move forward, in the right situation, and doing it the right way.»
Sharp is optimistic about the Flyers' prospects and is enthusiastic about contributing to their path to success, finding fulfillment in his front-office role as much as he did on the ice.
His journey from overlooked draft pick to NHL star and now mentor illustrates the unpredictable arcs a career can follow and underscores the value of experience and perspective in shaping the future of hockey teams.
| POLL | ||
10 JUILLET | 71 ANSWERS Patrick Sharp trades TV glamor for central role with the Flyers Do you think Patrick Sharp will be successful in Philadelphia? | ||
| Yes | 61 | 85.9 % |
| No | 10 | 14.1 % |
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