If you were in a Voorhees, N.J. GameStop late Monday night, the dejected future NHLer you saw walking away empty-handed was Flyers’ prospect and former second-overall pick James van Riemsdyk. Van Riemsdyk tried his best to pick up a copy of EA Sports’ highly anticipated title NHL 10. But let it be known that even potential future cover models for the game don’t get early copies.
“I actually went last night to get a copy during the reserve sale, but they wouldn’t give it to me,” said JVR, who foolishly didn’t reserve a copy of the game, therefore was not eligible for the late-night reservist sale the night before the official release. “They had them in stock so I said ‘listen, I’m not going to be here for a couple days,’ but they still wouldn’t give it to me.”
The Sept. 15 release of the game comes at a bad time for JVR, who has three road preseason games in four days, starting at Detroit on Wednesday and ending on Saturday in Toronto.
“They told me when I get back they will have it waiting for me,” said JVR, who was drafted one spot behind coverboy Patrick Kane. “So I reserved it and I’m excited to get to finally play it.”
With his role in the preseason contests telling whether the 20-year old starts the season with the Flyers or in Glens Falls with the Phantoms, by the time he gets the game he will be one step closer to knowing whether or not him or his (roster updated) NHL 10 character will be wearing orange and black.
Phila.Bright 
I doubt he’s even in the game this year, as EA usually only includes players who have played at least 1 game in the AHL or NHL. Someone on our site already said he’s not in it, so maybe JVR creates himself. And at that point, is it even cool any more?
He needs to play for a roster update. I didn’t check, but I assumed since Patrick Maroon was in it, he was. But you know what happens when you assume.