ORLEANS, Mass. – Michael Del Zotto couldn't help but be brought back to his minor-league hockey days when he looked around Charles Moore Arena. The rink is hidden behind a produce stand and a few warehouses down a small, winding road.

Not exactly what the Flyers are used to. Instead of one locker room, the team was divided up into four rooms, each with half a dozen or so players. The rink was still full, though, with 10 youth hockey teams from the area.

"It brings you back to your roots having fun again and playing," the new defenseman said. "It's been a good couple of days here on the team retreat, especially for me being a new guy on the team and getting the chemistry and getting to know the guys a couple days here so far."

That was the whole point of the team's retreat to Cape Cod. The organization wanted to build chemistry on and off the ice for the players. For a 90-minute practice, that included almost everyone.

Almost.

Right wing Wayne Simmonds stood along the boards in a walking boot. He hasn't been on the ice since Tuesday's preseason game against the New York Rangers. With 5:43 left in the game, Simmonds blocked a wrister from defenseman Conor Allen. Simmonds, who had a career-high 29 goals last season, finished the game. He hasn't been able to get into a practice yet, leaving a return on opening night Wednesday against the Boston Bruins very much in question.

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