Voorhees, NJ -- (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Flyers prospect James van Riemsdyk gave up the final two years of his college eligibility earlier this year for the chance most 20-year-olds can only dream of - to go pro, playing the sport he loves.

Now, for the 6-foot-3, 200-pound winger who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Flyers, the adjustment to the pro game is finally underway.

"[His path to the NHL] is a little bit of an unknown right now," Flyers coach John Stevens told The Sports Network at the team's prospect mini-camp this week. "He completed the first step, which is getting out of school so we can get him acclimated to the pro game, which he did."

Van Riemsdyk, nicknamed JVR, signed an entry-level deal with the Flyers on April 1, turning pro after scoring 28 goals and 46 assists in 67 games over two seasons at the University of New Hampshire.

"It's real exciting to know I'm going to be back here in September doing this as a job," Van Riemsdyk told SportsNetwork.com at the event. "Playing a game you love as a job, you can't ask for anything better."

GETTING HIS FEET WET

Van Riemsdyk immediately jumped right into the pro game after signing his entry-level deal, inking an amateur tryout agreement with the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Phantoms, in April. As a result, he was part of the Phantoms' playoff push and subsequent four-game exit from the second season at the hands of the 2009 Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears. The experience was apparently invaluable to the young winger, giving him a jump- start on his pro career.

"Right when I got here at the end of the [AHL] season, they told me to expect a big jump," Van Riemsdyk said. "They said the jump from college to the AHL was a lot bigger than the jump from the AHL to the NHL.

"I thought it was a good idea to get that big jump out of the way first."

JVR started out skating on the third and fourth lines for the Phantoms. As he got a few games under his belt, his game progressed enough that coach John Paddock put him on the ice in more key situations. He actually found himself in the power-play mix, among other key minutes, by season's end.

"I started to earn the coach's trust toward the end," Van Riemsdyk said. "He showed that by putting me out there in key situations."

UNDER PRESSURE

Now, Van Riemsdyk is preparing for the 2009-10 season with a lot of expectations from both inside and outside the organization. It's safe to say that with 2006 first-round pick Claude Giroux's promotion to the NHL team late last season, and the trade that sent 2008 first-round pick Luca Sbisa to Anaheim, the pressure is squarely on the Middletown, N.J. native as the franchise's most recognizable prospect.

"We will get a chance to talk to him a little bit, but he just needs to worry about coming in and working hard," Stevens said of that pressure. "A kid like James will probably know that as long as he gets himself in great shape, which I think he's doing, and competes hard, his skill will come out."

JVR also knows he has to worry about playing the game the right way instead of just worrying about numbers. He also can't worry about being a first-round draft pick. He has to just assimilate into the organization and earn his spot, like everyone else.

"He's a gifted big man that has a great skill set, that's really why a lot of teams had him ranked as high as he went, including us," Steven said of JVR being a No. 2 overall pick. "We just want him to come in and play and think about the team and think about competing and all that other stuff will take care of itself."

PAYING THE PRICE

Van Riemsdyk is currently doing everything he can to be physically ready for the Flyers training camp this fall. He's been working with Flyers strength and conditioning coach Jim McCrossin Monday through Friday since May, and plans to continue to do so through the summer.

"I've been down here letting Jimmy McCrossin mold me into the best athlete I can be," Van Riemsdyk said. "He's a good guy to have working with you in the summer to get stronger and be more ready. He knows what it takes to make it to that level."

The work ethic JVR is currently showing off the ice bodes well for what he plans to bring to the ice when he gets his chance to showcase his skills vs. NHL competition during training camp in September.

"He's staying here around the practice facility all summer," Stevens said. "He's going to train here all summer with our people and I think it's going to allow him to be in the best shape possible coming into training camp."

CONTENDER OR PRETENDER?

It will ultimately be up to Van Riemsdyk this fall if he makes the NHL roster or has to cut his teeth in the AHL first. He has to show the Flyers coaches that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level and contribute.

"We love his skill set," Stevens said. "He's a big guy that's got good hands, good hockey sense. We just need to see how competitive he is at the pro level. We think he's going to be fine but that's going to be up to him. He's going to get a real good opportunity in training camp this year to play and practice at the NHL level and we'll evaluate where he is at from there."

With a couple wing spots opening up this offseason with the trade of Joffrey Lupul and the free agent defection of Mike Knuble, there will be opportunities for young players heading into training camp barring further roster moves between now and then.

JVR will be given an opportunity to make the NHL roster, but he will also have to compete with more established guys like Arron Asham, Dan Carcillo and Darrell Powe for third and fourth line minutes, and fellow high draft pick Giroux for top six minutes. Youngsters Jonathon Kalinski and Andreas Nodl, who saw minutes in the NHL last season, will also be in the equation.

"We are not going into training camp thinking that every spot is filled and every role is filled," Steven said. "That is what training camp is for, that's what makes the offseason important to come in ready to go."

Chances are Van Riemsdyk will start out in the AHL, but that doesn't mean he isn't doing everything in his power to make sure he at least leaves a positive impression on the Flyers staff with the hopes of jumping right to the NHL.

"I like to set my goals high," he said. "I want to be on the NHL team obviously. At the start of training camp that's everyone's dream to start and play in the NHL. I know obviously there are some different circumstances that could come up, and that may not necessarily happen, but it is my goal right away to make the team and stick right away."

Now, it's basically all up to Van Riemsdyk, to continue to work hard and prove he belongs.