Photo Credit: NHL.com
Felix Sandström was primed and ready for his journey with the Flyers organization the moment he signed an Entry-Level-Contract a few years ago. Sandström can move laterally from post to post well, and most times when a person thinks he is out of play somehow he finds a way to make a highlight reel save.
The former HV71 product appeared to be confident, and one could see the jubilation on his face in the locker room last year while playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, especially towards the latter part of the season. I once again derived a quote he said to me at Flyers Developmental Camp back in 2019, “I’m confident in my abilities,” Sandström said back in 2019. “I am ready for the journey ahead, and I do not think I will have a hard time adjusting to the size of the rink. Carter Hart is a good Goaltender. I’m coming in to kill it, should be no different from Sweden. I’m going to work my butt off.”
Fast forward to the 2021-22 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. For about the first quarter of the season it was anything but blissful, as the Phantoms were navigating through covid concerns, and injuries. Moreover, Sandström is also no stranger to Taxi Squads as he was recalled to the Taxi Squad earlier in the season. He has compiled a 15-18-5 record, 2.96 GAA, and a .900 Save Percentage with the Phantoms this season. However, Sandström played well in the past four to five games, while becoming a brick wall for a young Phantoms club before this recent recall.
Sandström plays well as he sees more playing time. Some goalies need to play to keep their game fresh, especially for confidence purposes, and Sandström is one of those netminders. Felix finally made his NHL Debut, and he played rather well with backstopping 43 saves on 46 shots faced for a whopping .935 Save Percentage in the 3-2 overtime loss.
He became the fourth Swedish goalie to play in an NHL game for the Flyers: Johan Backlund, Pelle Lindbergh, and Tommy Söderström were the others.
The young 24-year-old netminder in Sandström hoped to build off last season, and he has done such. Sandström has played solid hockey with the Flyers as he has been given an opportunity. His numbers aren’t flashy, after he saw odd man rush and breakaway after breakaway last night in a 4-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets (One goal was an empty netter), but he doesn’t get rattled after allowing a goal.
“Try and keep battling,” Sandström said following the game last night. “Stay positive and keep going. It’s tough to be the team to be scored on first, and come from behind all the time.”
For his efforts, Sandström was called a competitor and a battler, and one that does not get rattled easily by Flyers’ Interim Head Coach Mike Yeo last night.
All is not lost this season, as Sandström has proven he could handle the backup goaltending role to Carter Hart, if indeed the Flyers are not able to sign, or are able to bring Ivan Fedotov to North America.
Sandström’s GAA has much left to be desired (3.23), but his .910 Save Percentage is a good one. His Save Percentage shows he’s a quality netminder, and gives his team a chance. That’s all you have to do as a backup netminder is give the team a chance, and that is what Sandström does.
