Vanbiesbrouck not a lock to start

This year he may have to start earning it. Vanbiesbrouck, a week past his 36th birthday, might be getting some competition from 22-year-old Brian Boucher, the heir apparent for the No. 1 position in the Flyers' nets. It's a far cry from last season when Ron Hextall, beginning his ride into the sunset, was preordained to play in only about 25 games -- and actually appeared in 23. Hextall was really no threat to Vanbiesbrouck, who played in a career-high 62 games after signing a big free-agent contract. Things might be a little different this year. The team says if Boucher locks up the No. 2 job in training camp, he will get the usual 25 starts that a backup receives. But what if Vanbiesbrouck slumps and Boucher hits a hot streak? With Vanbiesbrouck on the last year of his contract -- technically, there is an option year for the 2000-2001 season, but the Flyers hold the option -- all eyes will be on the Vanbiesbrouck-Boucher relationship. The veteran says it isn't an issue. He's spent his entire career working with other goalies, including a fairly young Mark Fitzpatrick while the two played for Florida in the mid-1990s. Vanbiesbrouck says he's familiar with the cold shoulder treatment: Early in his career with the New York Rangers, established goalie Eddie Mio wouldn't give Vanbiesbrouck the time of day. Vanbiesbrouck says that won't be the case with the Flyers in 1999. ''This game is made up of competition and I think this is very healthy for everybody,'' Vanbiesbrouck said. ''I think it's healthy for the organization and for me. ''But would you call it looking over your shoulder? I'd say no. For myself, I have to get myself ready and then try to help somebody else when I can. No matter who it is, I'm just going to try to be a helpful person. We need everybody to win.'' It should be noted that Vanbiesbrouck did have a young goaltender -- Mike Richter -- come in and push him out the door after the Rangers' 1992-93 season. But Boucher is a long way from Richter's status, so the situation isn't quite the same. The Flyers maintain their confidence in Vanbiesbrouck. He had a spotty first season --brilliant at times, at one point going a team record 218 minutes, 42 seconds without allowing a goal; poor at others, giving up a number of questionable goals during the Flyers' franchise-record 12-game (0-8-4) winless streak. And the fact remains, this could be Vanbiesbrouck's last season with the Flyers unless he takes them deep into the playoffs. ''The money and the dynamics of the contract don't change anything at all,'' he said. ''The most important thing here is to win the Stanley Cup. We can put the rest of that stuff aside. ''Sometimes goaltending competitions can really play havoc within the system. [In New York], the other goalies pulled for me. That made me feel real good. That acceptance gives you confidence.'' -- The Associated Press