Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Gerry Mayhew was an undrafted forward, who flies like a bat out of hell on the ice. He can score big goals, as he has a knack for the net, but more importantly he plays with some snarl to his game. Mayhew sticks up for his teammates, and the Flyers are fortunate to have him in the organization following a stint with the Minnesota Wild.
The 28-year-old in Mayhew earned a contract with the Flyers for the 2021-22 season, and he has been playing some good hockey for them. Last night, Mayhew tallied his first two goal game of his career, and his first multi-point game of his career. Moreover, he has five goals in his last nine games, to which he has five goals in 15 games played with the orange and black this season. It’s time for Mayhewmania, why not folks at least this could provide some happiness in a lost season.
“He works, it’s a big thing,” Mike Yeo said of Mayhew following the game last night. “He works and he skates. You can have success in this league if you do those two things. He’s got skill to make plays and you can’t just put anybody up there that’s gonna work and skate but he’s got the ability to make plays and is very confident as well right now so without that line needing a switch I thought he provided a good spark.”
The 5’9 Mayhew, weighing161 pounds has very good puck skills, and has great lateral mobility and edging. He can make plays at high tempo, and Mayhew may not be be the fastest skater but he skates well. Of course, like most prospects he needs to get bigger and stronger, and could always improve their skating abilities. Mayhew has a heavy shot, and is dead accurate when he shoots. He can pick apart the net with the best of them.
Yeo is surprised that Mayhew hasn’t been an NHL regular, rather he’s just been a fill in at times throughout his NHL career, “I’m surprised, what Gerry has going for him is that he sees we have 10 guys over him in the lineup and he sees an opportunity.”
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for him so I don’t wanna take that away by letting him feel comfortable right now, but at the same time I am really happy for him because of his work ethic, because of seeing that he’s been through his whole career to get here. He’s proven it and he’s doing it so I hope he can continue doing it because it’s a great story.” – Mike Yeo
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One of the good things about Mayhew is he had NHL experience prior to this recall, and played in 17 NHL games in his career all with the Minnesota Wild. Like Yeo indicated above, if it were not for injuries he may not have been given this shot to impress, but sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns when you get a shot. You may not be given another opportunity to impress.
“Gerry’s been great for us,” said Travis Konecny. “I feel like every time we need a play or the team might be down, Gerry’s always that guy who’s moving his feet and you know what you’re going to get from him. He’s going to work hard and he’s going to put pucks in the net. He’s getting rewarded for doing the right things. It’s good.”
With his eye barely open from his recent injury, nothing was going to prevent him from missing another game. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and he wants to seize the moment. Mayhew is a great feel good story in what has become a dark season for the Flyers.
