Flyers' James van Riemsdyk gets tribute and ovation in Toronto return

Another night, another long-time Maple Leaf comes home.

A month after former linemate and good friend Tyler Bozak got honoured with a lengthy ovation and video tribute in his return Toronto as a member of the St. Louis Blues, James van Riemsdyk was back in his old stomping ground.

Now a member of the Flyers, JVR was given the crowd appreciation and Jumbotron montage he deserved after six productive seasons in the Blue and White.

Van Riemsdyk is on his second stint with the Flyers after the club selected him second overall in the 2007 Draft. He was acquired by former Leafs general manager Brian Burke — in what turned to be out one of the more favourable trades in the club’s history — during the 2012 offseason in exchange for blueliner Luke Schenn, and re-signed in Philadelphia as a free agent this past summer after being victimized by the Leafs’ salary cap squeeze.

Over 413 regular season games with the Buds, JVR potted 154 goals — averaging 30 per 82 games— and added 140 helpers for 294 points in six campaigns.

The 29-year-old tallied seven goals (five on the powerplay) and 14 points In 20 postseason contests with Toronto.

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