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 was evident at the WJC in 2022 in a 6-0 Team Sweden route over Austria.
Andrae really put forth one heck of a game against Austria at the WJC. He finished the game with two goals and an assist, was a plus two, and logged 17:13 of ice time. That’s what Andrae does, he logs minutes. Andrae would be coveted by most nations as he eats minutes, regardless of his size.
Fast forward to Flyers’ Developmental Camp, and he was nothing short of spectacular. 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, “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 played one heck of a rookie game this past Saturday. He was crisp with tape to tape passing, and he simply made the right decisions. Andrae rightfully received some praise from Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière following the game, “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.”
He’s a smart hockey player and he showcases that along the boards. Andrae makes quick decisive decisions to get the puck out of his own zone, and he is very good with breakouts. He is 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.”
One thing is certain, Andrae will stay in North America this season. He will either play for the Phantoms or Flyers this coming season, or may be even both. If he does not win a spot on opening night, I can almost guarantee that he will play for the Flyers at some point this season. Flyers fans can use all the positive news they can get, so they will take this and run with it happily.
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