Photo Credit: Hickling Images
The Philadelphia Flyers have been on a manhunt in search of a sniper. Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher slowly went under the radar with his first draft as Flyers GM, with drafting late round studs, much like his predecessor did in Ron Hextall.
A native of Russia, in Yegor Serdyuk, was born June 3, 2001, and this young 18-year-old, Right-Winger, sure has adapted to the North American ice better than anyone could have imagined. For his efforts, the Flyers drafted him in the 6th round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Serdyuk isn’t the faster skater and that is one area of his game that will need improvement, as well as, his defensive play, but this young man has a wicked wrist shot, which makes him a lethal goal scorer. He has “Elite” vision of the ice, and I don’t say that about too many prospects, but Serdyuk is a natural goal scorer that stands at 5’11” and weighs 165 pounds, “This year I began to play more on the defensive side of the puck because I needed to improve this moment,” Serdyuk said, “I tried to do what the coach asks me to, and improve in these moments. At the moment, I pay attention to physical fitness, when ice appears I will improve speed, and possession of the puck. I also work on shots, and am accurate with assists.”
After completing his second season with the Victoriaville Tigres in the QMJHL, Serdyuk amassed 16 goals, and 24 assists for a total of 40 points in 50 games played. These numbers were very strong for his second season with the Tigres, but Serdyuk was not happy with his play, “I am not very happy with my season due to injury (Lower Body), I missed a lot, it was hard to recover,” Serdyuk said, “As a team, we showed very good hockey all season, but at the beginning of the season there was not enough luck, but after a new luck was on our side. I wanted to go as far as possible in the playoffs.” Of course, the season ended early due to the Coronavirus, but Serdyuk remains upbeat and positive, “You need to be hardworking because hockey is the job that you live your whole life. I really like to eat soups, which are not enough in Canada😂my favorite food is whatever my mom makes.”
This young man in Serdyuk is a ball of energy, but appears to be the life of the party, as well. He’s so darn talented it really is unbelievable his skating dropped him to the sixth round, “I’m a skill guy who loves to score, has good vision, and a good shot that can be a play maker.” Boy is Serdyuk right, he bops and weaves in between defenders, and pots the puck top shelf, “Where momma hides the cookies.”
After watching film on Serdyuk from this past season for the Tigres, he looked like a player of the future. He was confident, good with his hands, and a bit faster than I’ve seen him in the past. This is exactly the prototype player that the Flyers are in need of right now, as Serdyuk just has a knack to pile up points, “Before going out onto the ice, I am baptized by God 3 times and read a prayer,” Serdyuk says, “I watch many players, each have their own advantages, but most of all I try to take from Pavel Datsyuk and Alexander Radulov.”
Serdyuk continues, “My family has supported and still supports me. The trainer with whom I had been since childhood, each invested an element in me, I will not forget.”
It is no secret that the Flyers have been restocking the farm system the past few seasons. Eventually we will see how all this pans out in the coming years. Will all these young prospects work out maybe not, but the majority of them hopefully will. Add Serdyuk to the list of players to watch for in the future. He has a never say die attitude, who never gives up, relentless with the puck, and that alone will make him a fan favorite here in Philadelphia, “Hope the season comes back soon, and will see you guys at the camp in June,” Serdyuk said as he completed the interview.
