Trial on the Isle: Flyers Prospects Again a Big ‘Hit’!
Flyers’ prospects playing in the annual volleyball tournament.
Every year, Stone Harbor has the pleasure of hosting the Philadelphia Flyers’ “Trial on the Isle” as a part of the team’s development camp for prospects. It combines athletic challenges in fun events with the opportunity to interact with the public, which fans, families and children enjoyed again this year on June 27.
The day before development camp actually starts at the team’s practice facility in Voorhees, the prospects are brought to Stone Harbor because it is the hometown of Jim McCrossin, the Flyers’ athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach. He considers it the perfect way for him and his team to give back to the community that gives so much to him. This year marks McCrossin’s 18th season with the Flyers organization.
“Actually, the original Trial on the Isle spanned both Avalon and Stone Harbor,” McCrossin says. “It consisted of a run, bike and kayak across the Seven Mile Island, topped off with an autograph session at the Windrift and a charity softball game at the 80th Street field. We have been in Stone Harbor for the past several years and have enjoyed great cooperation and coordination with the Borough and the American Legion.”
The prospects’ busy day at the shore actually began the night before, June 26, when they visited the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May. There, the prospects were given a tour of the facilities and took a turn on a few of the base’s seaside obstacle courses used in training exercises.
On Wednesday, the players were treated to brunch at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, where the team presented a check for $10,000 to American Legion Post 331, the beneficiary of the event’s proceeds for the second year in a row.
“The Flyers have been supportive of veterans on this Seven Mile Island for years and years,” says Post Commander Tom McCullough. “We appreciate the Flyers’ and Comcast’s unwavering support and are humbled to accept their generous donation.”
After brunch, the prospects headed to Stone Harbor Elementary School where a clinic for kids was held by Jason Tempesta, the team’s senior manager of community relations. Tempesta was later joined by three Flyers’ first-round draft picks: Joel Farabee and Jay O’Brien from the 2018 draft and Morgan Frost from 2017. The trio teamed up in a learn-to-play drill in which children were taught stick skills, puck-passing techniques and shooting.
“Every year brings a new crop of prospects, as well as others who are returning to camp as their development continues,” McCrossin says. “They come from all different parts of the world but each shares the common goal of making it to the NHL. Not everyone can reach this level, but every one of them gives it their all. Anything I can do to help them get there has been my honor. This year’s group of prospects was unique in that we had five Americans in the group. This is a sign of how hockey is growing in the United States, and that’s exciting!”
As the fun-filled afternoon continued, fans patiently waited to enter the gym of Stone Harbor Elementary School, where the prospects sat ready for an autograph session. This allowed the excited fans to get some one-on-one time with future Flyers.
The last event of the day was the volleyball tournament, won by Team Farabee, Ivan Fedotov, Mark Friedman and Mikhail Vorobyev.
“Flyers fans are amazing!” says Mc-Crossin’s wife, Robyn. “They will find you! Social media has certainly played a part in ease of awareness and coverage. I understand that this event gets as many ‘hits’ as a playoff game! That is pretty amazing.”
From beginning to end, the “Trial on the Isle” was a day filled with smiles, laughs, and of course, hockey. After 17 years of bringing Flyers to the shore, McCrossin and the success of his charity-driven event have become Flyers fans’ favorite day of the summer.