In the National Hockey League, some defensemen develop in spectacular fashion with a huge offensive contribution. But most of them develop quietly, taking care of their business and becoming more and more comfortable. If you don't notice a defenseman in a game, a lot of times that's a good thing.
Cam York's trajectory continues upward with increased NHL experience
If you don't notice a defenseman in a game, a lot of times that's a good thing
It's probably best for the Flyers if Cam York develops somewhere in the middle of those two trajectories. But like everything else in the realm of John Tortorella, defense and structured play come first, and it's those aspects where York has shown to be more and more sound since joining the Flyers back on December 9.
"I feel pretty good out there," York said ahead of the team's road trip to Minnesota and Winnipeg. "Each game I feel like I'm getting more and more confidence. Playing the right side with [Ivan Provorov], it's been going well for us so far. Obviously Provy helps me out a lot. He's a really easy guy to play with. I feel like we've found some good chemistry and are playing some good hockey right now.
In 22 games since his recall from Lehigh Valley, York quietly assembled a plus-10 rating, which was the second-best on the team behind only Wade Allison at plus-11 heading into the road trip. He was a minus player in just four of those first 22 games. At the other end, he has also chipped in a goal and nine assists; he did that through his first 21 games, and in doing so matched his total of three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 30 games last season.
It's clear that York's time in Lehigh Valley this season helped him. It's why Tortorella has said the organization's decision to start him in the American Hockey League after training camp was in no way malicious, that they simply wanted him to get top-pairing minutes and work on shutting down opponents a bit more, which he accomplished. At that level, he also eclipsed last season's scoring totals (2-10-12) with three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 14 fewer games. So he's on the right path, and the Flyers in early December felt it was time for him to come develop at the NHL level.
"Any time you get that phone call, it's pretty special," York said. "I'm really happy to be up here and just want to make the most of the opportunity. I feel like I've done a pretty good job of that so far, so I just want to continue to do that. When I got the news it was pretty exciting."
York hails from one of those "non-traditional" hockey markets that is quickly breaking the mold of what is "traditional" - he is from Anaheim Hills, California, about 10 miles from the Honda Center, where he grew up watching the Anaheim Ducks play. The establishment of the franchise there in 1993 certainly started growing the sport in southern California even in ways that the Los Angeles Kings, in the market of course since 1967, never really did. But even 15 years later when York started playing, it wasn't in a huge program like a lot of NHL players start in.
"I remember when I was younger, we would have practice twice a week and have ice for an hour, so it wasn't the best circumstances," he said. "If you look at it now compared to what it was, it's come a long way. It's truly exciting to see. Hopefully one day I can go back there and give back as well. It's growing. Every year I feel like you see more kids from California come out. They're producing some really good players. So hopefully it's the start of things to come."
York's formative years in the sport came in more well-known places. When he was 14, he caught on at Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota, a prep school whose boys program has produced almost 100 NHL draft picks and whose girls program has been just as successful. There, he caught the attention of the US National Team Development Program, where he played until enrolling at the University of Michigan.
He also represented the United States internationally on five occasions - once at the U-17 level, twice at the U-18 World Junior Championships, and two more times at the U-20 main event WJC. He captained the 2021 squad that won the gold medal, doing so alongside Bobby Brink and an entire roster of NHL-drafted players.
With all that happening far from his Southern California roots, it's sometimes a challenge for friends and family to catch York in person. So the timing of his call-up this year was especially helpful, as it came ahead of the team's annual trip to the West Coast.
"I got to go home for Christmas break, so that was really nice," he said. "The California trip right after, it was perfect timing. I had family at every California game, from San Jose to LA to Anaheim. So it was special. Anytime I'm playing back home, everyone usually goes."
York's hope is to just keep things moving forward from here, doing everything he can to both help the team and to grow as a player. Fortunately those two things are pretty intertwined.
"I feel like I'm playing some pretty good hockey, I just want to keep it going on a consistent basis," he said. "One thing I learned last year is you've got to be super consistent every night. I feel like I wasn't consistent last year, and I feel like I've been doing a better job this year of that. It's just trying to bring your A-game every game."
