Caps prospect Brett Flemming does what he does best against a rushing forward from the Trenton Titans (Photo Credit: M. Richter)
When asked about starting his second year in the ECHL, Brett Flemming (drafted by the Caps in the fifth round, 2009) was positive despite Saturday night’s loss. “I’m having fun here, so far, in Reading.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the name, Flemming was one of those who stood out when the Stingrays (ECHL affiliates of the Caps at the time) visited Reading last year. Not only was he recently arrived in the ECHL on the heels of a strong showing in Hershey – 21 AHL games in his first pro year – but he notched his first ECHL goal at the Sovereign Center on that cold January afternoon.
He kicked off professional season number two with another notable performance, albeit this time with his fists. The encounter was the first major penalty assessed against a Reading player on home ice this season, though Flemming contends he doesn’t expect to make a habit of the practice. “You know, I’m not much of a fighter. I will, if I have to, like in that instance. I wasn’t given much of an option [by Trenton’s Andrew Conboy]… Sometimes it’s part of the game, and you just have to fight.”
Flemming also tallied an assist in the season home opener, something which he hopes to do more of this year (in 2011-12, he went 2-2-4 in the AHL and 3-10-13 in the ECHL). “Everyone likes to score goals, and I think I worked pretty hard this summer to achieve that, so hopefully that’ll go my way… As a junior player, I was always a two-way player, so I hope to continue that. Last year, I thought maybe I could have put up a couple more points, but my defensive game was pretty good. Maybe I can keep up the defensive game and maybe put up a few more points [this year].”
As a player, Flemming continues to handle the transition from juniors to professional hockey well. It’s only a matter of time before he’ll be making an appearance in Hershey again, whether for a cup of coffee or a full ride.
