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 Reading Royals, and 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 are navigating through covid concerns throughout the league. Moreover, Sandström is also no stranger to Taxi Squads as he was recalled to the Taxi Squad earlier this week. He has compiled a 3-7-3 record, 3.08 GAA, and a .896 Save Percentage. However, Sandström has played well in the past four to five games, while becoming a brick wall for a young Phantoms club.
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 flashed some leather on his very first NHL save, moved laterally post to post well, and more importantly looked confident in his NHL Debut. It gives the Flyers promise with Martin Jones contract expiring at years end for a backup role with the orange and black.
Flyers News:
As I mentioned before the Seattle Kraken game. Sean Couturier was placed on IR before the San Jose Sharks game, and is now week-to-week with an upper body injury.
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Love my Fly boys no matter what win or loose, been through 2 Stanley cups looking for a 3rd in my life time. ❤️
His debut performance was really strong. He totally kept them in the game facing way too many shots. Looking forward to seeing more of him. Great start!