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Flyers’ Hakstol flew 4,000 miles to have dinner with Voracek

Dave Hakstol

Dave Hakstol

AP

Even though Dave Hakstol is now in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers, it doesn’t mean he’s shelved his recruiting ways.

The former bench boss at the University of North Dakota, who was named the 19th head coach in Flyers’ history in May, recently jumped on a plane and flew 4,000 miles to have dinner with Jakub Voracek.

“I talked to him over the phone and he told me that he would like to see me in the middle of June,” said Voracek who signed an eight-year contract extension this week. “I was like, ‘Yeah that’s perfect, but I’ll be still in Czech.’ He was like, ‘Yeah I know, I’m just going to fly to Czech to have dinner with you.’”

According to the Daily News, Hakstol and the right-winger met prior to contract talks between the Flyers and Voracek’s agent started heating up.

The two discussed the upcoming season, Hakstol’s coaching style and what was expected of Voracek and his teammates.

“When he came down, I asked him what was his next plan, if he’s staying for the week or going somewhere else,” Voracek said. “He was like, ‘No, no. I’m flying back tomorrow morning.’ I told him that’s a long trip for one dinner, but it meant a lot to me and it was great to talk to him eye-to-eye.”

Voracek had a team-leading 59 assists and 81 points to go along with 22 goals in 82 games last season.

Related: No extension on the horizon for Flyers’ Brayden Schenn

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