Flyers add Patrick Brown to checking line

Patrick Brown is ready for his first shift as a Flyer in a Friday night meeting with visiting Vancouver. Though he claims to have limited knowledge of his new franchise’s history, his self-analysis should help him to a snug fit.

“I’m gritty,” he said. “I play with high energy. I am willing to go into the dirty areas and the blue paint. And I like to forecheck and get up on the defensemen.”

For those reasons, and also because Kevin Hayes has been slow to recover from abdominal surgery, the Flyers snagged the 28-year-old forward off the waiver wire Tuesday from the Vegas Golden Knights. Sight barely seen, Alain Vigneault granted him a regular spot in the rotation, likely on a fourth line, probably with Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Nate Thompson.

“He should be one of our 12 regular forwards,” Vigneault said. “We didn’t play against Vegas last year, but I’ve got memories of coaching against him in a game or two. He’s a hard-working young man who keeps his game simple. North, south. He plays the body when he has the opportunity and I hear that he’s a great teammate.

“He should fit in real well with our group.”

Brown, who was a teammate of Hayes at Boston College, has had limited NHL opportunities in his sixth-year career, scoring a total of two goals and one assist in 33 games with Carolina and Vegas. He played four games for the Golden Knights last season, going scoreless. According to Vigneault, however, the Flyers’ scouts were impressed with Brown, which nudged the club into giving young Jackson Cates more seasoning time in the AHL.

Brown said he is “comfortable” at all three forward positions, which also added to his appeal. Though he expected to play for the Knights, Brown said he was happy to pack quickly and bring his family to Philadelphia, where he will have an opportunity to keep a roster spot.

“It’s a crazy job,” he said. “But it’s the best job in the world. So someone wants me to play for them in the NHL and I’m excited. I’m happy for the opportunity and glad to be in Philly.”

Brown was pleased with the chance to reunite with Hayes, who was placed Wednesday on the Long-Term Reserve list, meaning he must miss at least another 10 games and 24 days.

“I am very close with Kevin and we’ve been in touch over the years,” Brown said. “I loved watching him play and learning from him. He is one of the best players I have ever seen, an awesome player.

“He sent me a text and we talked for a little bit. He let me know that if I needed anything to let him know. A whole bunch of guys reached out. It was very nice and welcoming. It seems like they have a great group.”

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The Flyers claimed Zack MacEwen off waivers from Vancouver Wednesday. The 25-year-old had two points in 34 games last season and has collected six goals and three assists in 55 career games. He is expected to be a reserve forward.

Last season, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound MacEwen had six fights. From 2017 through 2020, he played 155 games for the AHL Utica Comets, producing 37 goals and 59 points.