Minnesota native Bobby Brink will not feature for the Flyers against the Wild in his home state.
Minnesota native Bobby Brink will not feature for the Flyers against the Wild in his home state.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella revealed on Jan. 12 that he would not be playing Minnesota-born right winger Bobby Brink against the Wild.
Despite scoring against the Wild when they visited Philadelphia back in October, Brink has had an uninspiring stretch of games for Flyers as of late, so it's not entirely surprising that he's been scratched. Being outshined by other young players like Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost—who's been on quite the redemption arc since his own healthy scratch issues—has caused Brink to largely fade into the background within the team, despite the head coach still believing in his potential as a pro.
"Other players are playing better," Tortorella explained. "This is all part of the process for Bobby. He's going to be a really good player, but there are a lot of things he needs to work on, and I think he's been a little inconsistent. Bobby Brink doesn't have a cemented spot in the National Hockey League. He has a ways to go as far as to find that. But that's to be expected. I think he's going to be a really good player for us."
In typical Tortorella fashion, he didn't let the sentimental elements of this game affect his decision to scratch Brink for his homecoming game, something that the Flyers coach has done to multiple players.
On whether the choice to sit Brink out was tough: "Absolutely not, and don't start with all the hugging and that stuff, because I heard it last year. It's the National Hockey League. I can't get itineraries from players when their parents are coming in to decide what a lineup is. I can't. I knew that would come up. You're in the wrong game. If we're going to play inter-murals and all that stuff, whatever you want to call the fun stuff—this is the National Hockey League. These are part of the things that kids have to go through...I'd love for his parents to see him play. It just didn't work out that way."
He also stressed that the decision wasn't personal, highlighting other young Flyers that have faced the same adversity in order to help them grow.
"It's not a reset [for Brink], it's not a big deal," Tortorella said. "It's part of the process. Bobby's just starting with us, he hasn't even played a full season in pro hockey. This is to be expected—just because he's played some games doesn't mean he's qualified to play all 82. He's got to earn his way...This is the evolution of a team being better...Cam York went through it. Young players—it's all part of it."
Related: Flyers Trade Star Prospect to Ducks
Related: Flyers Prospect Named Top World Juniors Player For Team USA