‘More important to him': Fan returns Cam York's game-winning stick

The Flyers are heading into the second round of the playoffs with a little extra luck on their side — and a special moment between a player and a fan to go with it.

After scoring the series-winning playoff goal Wednesday night, Flyers defenseman Cam York launched his stick into the crowd in celebration. The stick ended up in the hands of Jack Brod, a lifelong Flyers fan from Bucks County, who offered to give it back to York for safekeeping.

Brod said he was thrilled to catch the stick, but he made it clear he would return it if York wanted it back.

“It is more important to him than it could possibly ever be to me,” Brod said.

It turns out, York did want it back — not to use on the ice, but to keep as a memento from a milestone moment in his career.

“I want to have some things to remember and look back on and cherish,” York said.

Before the team left town for the second round of the playoffs, the Flyers arranged a meeting between York and Brod on May 1, 2026, to make the exchange.

“As soon as I heard you wanted it back, no problem,” Brod said.

In return, Brod received a new stick signed by York, along with a jersey.

“Same stick, a little bit different,” York said.

“Very cool — doesn’t get much cooler than this,” Brod said.

Brod then passed along the signed stick to his friend’s son, Jake, a young hockey player and devoted Flyers fan.

“I’m so thankful to Jack that he decided to pick me to have it,” Jake said.

Brod said the entire experience has been phenomenal, adding to the excitement of the Flyers’ playoff run.

“I think I’m more excited about the fact that the Flyers are back and we are moving on and we are a legitimate playoff contending hockey team now,” Brod said.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.