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Alex Lyon is just one of promising young Flyers goalies

Suddenly, the Flyers are deep in goaltending prospects. In April, they signed touted free-agent Alex Lyon, who starred at Yale, and last month they selected Carter Hart - the first goalie chosen in the draft - in the second round.

Suddenly, the Flyers are deep in goaltending prospects.

In April, they signed touted free-agent Alex Lyon, who starred at Yale, and last month they selected Carter Hart - the first goalie chosen in the draft - in the second round.

The Flyers are stockpiling promising goalies in the organization. They drafted three goaltenders in 2015, and Anthony Stolarz, a second-round selection in 2012, is coming off an all-star season with the AHL's Phantoms.

Lyon, 23, drew interest from a dozen NHL teams but signed an entry-level deal with the Flyers in early April, thus bypassing his senior season at Yale.

"The main thing for me in going through the process was finding an organization that had really good values. Just people I could trust and were honest," Lyon said after his first day at the Flyers' development camp Thursday in Voorhees. "The opportunity really makes a difference as well."

Lyon led the nation in goals-against average (1.64) last season and was tied for second in save percentage (.936), steering Yale to the NCAA East Regional semifinals. He is well aware that, as it stands now, Flyers goalies Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth could become unrestricted free agents next summer, though it wouldn't be surprising if one received an extension during the season.

The looming free-agency situation, Lyon said, "absolutely" played a part in his decision to sign with the Flyers. Lyon called Mason and Neuvirth "phenomenal" goalies, but because of their possible departures "there's a little bit of an opportunity" down the road. "And another big factor for me was the goalie coach. I can't say enough about Kim Dillabaugh. He's outstanding."

After the college season, Lyon met with numerous teams. When visiting the Flyers, he and Dillabaugh had a long conversation, "and I felt like we aligned really well with our personalities and also just the way we viewed the game."

The last few days, Lyon has started getting acclimated with his new surroundings, taking part in the Flyers' development camp.

"I couldn't be happier to be a Flyer and be here this week," said Lyon, a 6-foot-1, 201-pounder who set numerous school records during his three seasons at Yale, including wins (50) and shutouts (15).

Lyon, a Minnesota native whose 1.88 career goals-against average is ninth-best in NCAA history, will likely start the season with the Phantoms. He acknowledged he will face better competition and that the speed of the game will increase but said his goal is to "hit the ground running and, come season time, have as little transition as possible. I know it's probably inevitable, but I'd like to get going just as fast as I can."

And though he appears headed to the AHL, Lyon said "it would be unwise to go in and not try to make the Flyers. If you're going to an NHL training camp, the goal for anybody should be to make the team."

In other words, Lyon is not short on confidence.

"Obviously they have two goalies who are exceptional at the NHL level," he said. "However, I'm going to go in and work my ass off and try to be the best I can. And wherever I end up, I'm just going to let the chips fall where they may."

Stolarz is expected to be the Phantoms starter. Lyon knows Stolarz "through hockey circles," and they have a friendly relationship.

"He's very mature, and I think for sure I can learn from him," Lyon said. "He's been around for a few years now, so he kind of has the organization down and knows the lay of the land. So for me, he's certainly a guy I can watch and hopefully we can help each other and become better hockey players."

Breakaways

Defenseman Sam Morin was still ill and again missed camp. . . . Right winger Wade Allison, a second-round draft pick last month, on camp: "I'm just trying to be a sponge here. Soak it all in." . . . Camp resumes Saturday with goalies on the ice for the first workouts at 8:30 a.m., followed by forwards (10 a.m.) and defensemen (10:30 a.m.). All participants also return to the ice later in the day. Camp is free and open to the public.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

@BroadStBull www.philly.com/flyersblog