Flyers' Dingle excited by trade

Not surprisingly, Ryan Dingle thinks he is more than just a throw-in in the recent deal that brought the 25-year-old AHL forward from Anaheim to the Flyers with veteran NHL defenseman Chris Pronger.

"You try not to pay too much attention to things said like that," Dingle said. "Obviously, I'd like to view myself as a young, developing player."

To obtain Pronger and Dingle, who posted 11 goals and seven assists in 70 appearances with the AHL's Iowa Chops last season, the Flyers sent right winger Joffrey Lupul, promising defenseman Luca Sbisa, the 2009 No. 1 draft pick (21st overall), and next year's No. 1 selection to the Ducks. Anaheim also received a conditional third-round pick in 2010 or 2011.

The key to the deal for the Flyers, of course, was acquiring the gritty and imposing Pronger, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound standout and 15-year veteran.

"Being involved in a blockbuster trade like that was very exciting for me," said Dingle, who likely will begin the 2009-10 campaign with the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms. "It's an honor to be grouped with those players in a deal and be recognized by another squad."

Dingle joined about 30 players yesterday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees as the Flyers opened their summer prospect camp. Other attendees were 2007 first-round pick James van Riemsdyk and six of the club's 2009 entry draft selections, including goalie Adam Morrison (third round, 81st overall.)

Among other things, the players underwent off-ice fitness tests and attended a late-morning nutrition class.

"It's great for them to get some education on what it takes to train properly and be ready and to get introduced to the facility here," Flyers coach John Stevens said.

When the Flyers acquired him, the 5-10, 183-pound Dingle was two days away from becoming a free agent. He signed a two-year entry-level contract with Anaheim in 2007. The Ducks had yet to exercise their option for a third year.

"At that point, my agent [Kurt Overhardt] and I were sitting back and just waiting to see what was going to happen," Dingle said. "Philadelphia showed interest, and that was very exciting."

Last season, Dingle, who starred for three seasons at the University of Denver, said he "was banged up a bit" late in training camp and sent down to Iowa for his first full AHL season. He had alternated between the AHL's Portland Pirates and East Coast Hockey League's Augusta Lynx the previous year.

Pronger teamed with and against Dingle in 2008 preseason scrimmages and called the diminutive forward a "little spark plug" who "opened up a lot of eyes."

Dingle, a native of Steamboat Springs, Colo., said: "I try to play with a lot of energy. I try to create something offensively, make a hit, or something like that. I do enjoy playing that style of game, offensively."

The Flyers' prospect camp continues today at the Skate Zone. A pair of on-ice sessions, open to the public, will start with drills from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by scrimmages from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Meet the Flyers. Tomorrow, some of the Flyers will hold their annual conditioning event, Trial on the Isle, through the streets and waters of Stone Harbor, N.J. Players participating in the team's prospect camp will compete in a triathlon that consists of cycling, kayaking, and running.

This all-day event starts and finishes at the intersection of 96th Street and Second Avenue in Stone Harbor. Following the competition, the players will be available for autographs at the Harbor Bizarre from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. and will later play in a charity softball game at the 80th Street Field.

Fans are welcome at all locations, team officials said.