Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
A young 21-year-old Flyers prospect Emil Andrae was the Captain of Team Sweden for a reason at the WJC in 2022. Andrae is a 200 foot player, that is as fast as they come, plus he has a blistering shot. He can play in any situation the coaching staff asks of him, and that became evident when he made the Flyers roster on opening night. Andrae has shown flashes of being a very good defenseman in the future, but he’s just not consistent enough yet. He has been sent back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, in for good reasoning.
Andrae needs a bit more seasoning and growth, then possibly he could get recalled in a month or two and be up with the orange and black for the rest of the season. He’s only 21-years-old, look at all he has accomplished thus far in his short NHL career.
A young 21-year-old in Andrae please a bit physical, believe it or not even with his size. He logs minutes, and can be trusted in all facets of the game. After making the roster on opening night, he appear to be timid at times, or rushed to make a play at times. This is all evident that he is a young defenseman that will have some growing pains. However, this is to be expected from a young defenseman, and it shows growth in his game to make mistakes and bounce back from them. John Tortorella has said on multiple occasions that he makes mistakes, but he doesn’t get scared to make the right play shortly thereafter. There’s a lot of potential with Andrae.
He only stands at 5’9 and only weighs 176 pounds, but he is still a talented left-handed shot defenseman that is not afraid to get physical. Andrae clobbered Elliot Desnoyers at one point, it’s just the nature of the game. The top brass spoke very highly of him at Flyers’ Developmental Camp, “Such a smart player, I’m really excited to see him with some NHL players,” Brent Flahr said of Andrae following the completion of Developmental Camp. “To me he’s pretty close. If it was my choice he would be here. If I had to guess Torts is really going to like this player.”
“To me he’s pretty close. If it was my choice he would be here. If I had to guess Torts is really going to like this player.” – Brent Flahr on Emil Andrae following the 2023 Developmental Camp
His hockey IQ has vastly improved from the prior year with HV71, and was arguably one of their best players in 2022-23 after notching six goals and 20 assists in 51 games played. Andrae found his niche and became a versatile player that has impeccable gap control, and he has shown that time and time again for HV71.
What is most impressive about Andrae is his intelligence, and that is why he was signed by the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on an amateur tryout, to which he signed an Entry-Level-Contract with the Flyers on a later date. This was to ensure his ELC kicks in for the 2023-24 season, and not for the 2022-23 season. It afforded the Flyers an extra year of eligibility, and in turn it gave him professional experience.
“He’s a good player, super skilled. A nice guy off the ice too.” – Elliot Desnoyers said following Developmental Camp
That was then, and this is now. Andrae rightfully received some praise from Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière following a rookie game in September, “Andrae doesn’t change his style of play because they go after him,” Laperrière said. “They know he’s the best defenseman out there, and he’s used to it. I’m sure all his life he’s dealt with that.” Earlier in camp Laperrière said, “He’s not a big guy, he’s thick but he’s not tall. Moves the puck well, and he’s got a heck of a shot. His biggest quality is he competes, he wants to be the guy.”
Andrae’s a smart hockey player and he showcases that along the boards. He makes quick decisive decisions to get the puck out of his own zone, and he is very good with breakouts. Andrae is also good with leading the rush up the ice, and this should make the Flyers top brass happy. The orange and black have struggled for the past few years with their Defensemen and breakouts. In addition, his ability to win puck races is something that separates him from the current of defensemen for the orange and black. It appears he rarely loses a puck battle.
“I’d be stupid if I don’t have the goal of playing in the NHL,” Andrae said. “I’m going to do as best as I can in training camp, and try to prove to the coaches that I’m too good to play in the AHL.” This young man will be the real deal in the future, this is not a demotion by any means. It just means he needs another month of seasoning at the professional level.
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