This won’t be like any other home opener.
There’s a natural buzz that carries throughout the arena when the Flyers take to the Wells Fargo Center ice for the first time in a new season.
Tonight’s opener will be even more amplified as the franchise looks back on 50 years, trots out numerous recognizable icons from teams past and above all else, honors the legend that was Ed Snider when they raise his banner to the rafters.
“I think anyone connected to the organization… you can’t not feel something,” said general manager Ron Hextall. “He certainly deserves it.”
Fans are urged to get into their seats by 6:50 p.m. as the festivities — which will include a lengthy video on the jumbotron, alumni, maybe a brief speech or two, the Snider banner being raised and a pre-game light show. (And yes, there will be bracelets again.)
In other words, there’s going to be so much going on, it could either go one of two ways when the players take the ice. They could come out flying, score a goal, get the place even more wound up, or get lost in the distraction and let that energy subside.
Head coach Dave Hakstol is hoping the former prevails. He says the ceremony will be “a real meaningful and important moment.”
“You have to make sure you filter through the excitement of the home opener with simply the importance of the hockey game,” Hakstol said.
“Everybody looks forward to that. Now it’s making sure our focus is in the right spot to be able to come back to the Wells Fargo Center and be able to play in front of our fans. It’s a day that’s been marked on our calendars for a lot of our players.”
One player who had this date marked was Brayden Schenn. In addition to it being the home opener, it’s also the start of the season for Schenn as he returns from his three-game suspension.
He’s looking forward to not only returning, but doing so in front of the home crowd.
“Home openers are always fun to play in front of your fans, especially at the Wells Fargo,” Schenn said. “We need to use these home games to our advantage.”
