Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
This past Friday following the outdoor practice. I saw Jamie Drysdale walking around the locker room just smiling from ear to ear following practice. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him, as I think he had an interview or a photo shoot of some sort. However, you can tell he loves being a Flyer, and one of the reasons why might be Cam York.
Ever since Drysdale traded to philly, both him and York have been nearly inseparable. Compare do everything together to include eat dinner, playing games (Most notably Volleyball), and when can I forget a beautiful trip to Mexico. Drysdale was going to go home and spend a All-Star break in Toronto, however, he was a late addition with nine other players to Mexico, to include York and Owen Tippett, just naming a few.
“The guy can fly like the wind,” York said about Drysdale following the trade. “He’s such a smooth skater. He has a real high hockey IQ. He’s a tough guy to play against. He looks like he’s all over the place, such a good skater. He can cover a lot of ground, and I think he’s going to make our team a lot better. I’m excited to see what he can do.”
The trade couldn’t have worked out better for the orange and black, as Drysdale has fit in just fine in Philly, “From the second I got on the ice, seeing the crowd. It was a pretty unbelievable environment and a really fun spot to play in. Hell of a first game to be a part of,” Drysdale said.
Drysdale hails from Toronto, Ontario and is just 21-years-old. Yes you read that right just 21-years-old. He was selected by the Ducks in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. Drysdale has five points (1g,4a) in 10 games played with Anaheim this season. The 5’11, 185 pound defenseman has 45 points (8g,37a) in 123 games in four seasons with the Ducks (2020-24). He missed majority of the 2022-23 season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, “I think I’m just a puck-moving D-man,” Drysdale said. “I can move really well up the ice. I’ve already talked to the coaches here and picking up some stuff. I’m exciting to learn more.”
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