Cam York is leaving Michigan early, joining the Flyers on a three-year contract

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that Cam York will forgo his final two years at Michigan after the defensemen signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers yesterday. Following in the footsteps of other highly rated prospects Cole Caulfield (MTL), Matthew Boldy (MIN) & Spencer Knight (FLA), who signed their ELC’s, Cam York is going pro.

World Junior

Going into the world juniors this year I expected York to have a more expanded role, receiving limited playing time in the previous tournament due to older players playing in front of him.

Captain of the team? That’s awesome. York took off with the opportunity, putting up 1G-5A in 7 games. He was an absolute treat to watch. I loved his ability to put a so-so Semifinals game vs Finland behind him and follow it right up with his best performance of the tournament vs Canada in the gold medal game.

I always think back to this play on #2 overall pick in 2020, Quinton Byfield (LA).

It’s even more impressive knowing his teammates are the ones who vote on who should lead them into battle for a gold medal, and they chose Cam. Not only is he a very, very good hockey player but he has leadership qualities as a 20 year old. That’s a huge deal.

Gold, baby!

Sophomore Year

Before we talk more about York’s sophomore campaign, let me lay it out for you real fast.

Scored 20 points in 24 games with Michigan (4G-16A)
Captain’d Team USA to gold, scoring 6 points in seven games
Nominated for Big Ten Player of the Year
Nominated for Big Ten Defenseman of the Year
Won Big Ten Defenseman of the Year
Sign 3-year ELC with Flyers

Similar to how I felt about York’s world junior tournament last year, I expected him to take on a much more expanded role with Michigan in his second season, and he did. York started out his sophomore year with a 3-point night vs Arizona State (1G-2A) and didn’t look back from there. Scoring 4G-16A in 24 games, York was Michigan’s best defenseman and displayed why Chuck Fletcher selected him with his first pick as Flyers GM.

A gifted two-way defenseman, for what York lacks in size (5’11) he makes up for with his quick stick, elite gap control (something the entire Flyers defense is lacking) and effortless skating ability. Plus, he plays a more physical game than you’d think for a 5’11 185 pound defenseman. Added on to that, York seems to know what’s going to happen before it actually does. Hs ability to read the play and settle the game down around him is very fun to watch.

It’s extremely frustrating to see his college career come to an end by being set home due to covid protocols. I feel for the players, coaches and everyone who was involved in getting things organized. In the same breathe, Michigan being sent home left the window wide open for York to sign his ELC. Chuck has already said he didn’t see York being a “four year guy“, so finally signing after a stellar sophomore campaign isn’t surprising.

What Now?

The cool thing about this deal is it kicks in this year so York will report to Leigh High or Philadelphia presumably tomorrow or Friday. The Flyers haven’t announced where he’s going yet, which sort of makes me raise my eyebrow regarding the Ghost on waivers news yesterday. Even with that being said, I’d expect Cam to head to the Phantoms who are currently winning vs Hershey and have a 10-3-2 record and jump into a very good situation. Unlike somewhere else right now. These were the defensive pairings tonight vs Hershey with Egor Zamula still being day-to-day with a injury according to AGM Brent Flahr:

Wotherspoon – Day
Hogberg – Bigras
Pouliot – Wylie

If Cam is assigned to Leigh High and Zamula eventually makes his return, maybe we could see something like this:

Wotherspoon – Zamula
York – Day
Pouliot – Bigras

The Flyers need defensive help there’s no secret there. This, is a start. Not saying York is going to come in here and completely fix the Flyers defense but it’s always a good day in my book when you sign a good hockey player to your hockey team. Maybe York does play for Philadelphia this year and makes my prediction in October that he’d make an impact this year, come true.

Who knows, like I’ve said, stranger things have happened. Go Flyers!