ST. PAUL, Minn. — Jordan Weal was grocery shopping when he got the call.

In the local Vons, a popular chain out West, the 23-year-old center wasn’t upset, really. Considering he wasn’t getting much playing time with the Los Angeles Kings, being traded to the Flyers could open up a new opportunity.

“It was a strange feeling,” Weal explained. “I’ve never been traded before so it was a new experience for sure. Definitely exciting once the first shock got past. It’s a great group here. A lot of skilled guys. A lot of young guys and it’s an exciting group to watch.”

Weal played only 10 games with the Kings and didn’t get a point. He averaged only 8:07 of ice time per game, hardly enough to get in a groove. The diminished role was a big adjustment from the bigger piece of the pie he got in the American Hockey League with the reigning Calder Cup champion Manchester Monarchs.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Weal, who had 69 points in 73 games last season in the AHL. “We had a really good group of guys. We didn’t have any bad apples on that team. We all enjoyed each other’s company and it was a lot of fun to be able to cap it off with a Calder Cup win.”

Now the third-round pick in 2010 is hoping the next step is to get regular minutes with the Flyers.

“They haven’t talked to me too much, but that’s what I’m hoping for,” Weal said Thursday night during the first intermission of the Flyers’ 4-3 overtime win. “I’m going to try to work day in and day out and try to get the systems down as quick as I can and all I want is a good chance to earn ice time. Only 10 games wasn’t that much time for me in L.A. and hopefully here I can get more of a chance to earn my spot.”

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