Photo Credit: Zack Hill
The Goaltending problems that have haunted this proud organization are hopefully a thing of the past. Carter Hart is the franchise netminder, and Flyers have promising young netminder in Samuel Ersson and Felix Sandström waiting in the wings to be Hart’s backup in the near future.
Ersson was masterful in his final season for Brynas, in Sweden, well posting a 2.96 GAA, and a .911 Save Percentage in 42 games. His numbers do not do him Justice, but he was phenomenal for Brynas. He opened some eyes and Ersson is nearing being 100% healthy following his first season in North America, an injury riddled one at that, “I’m feeling good,” Ersson said at Developmental Camp. “I had skated just now and had another skate yesterday. My body’s feeling good, feeling positive, and making the right strides.”
“It will take a little time,” Ersson said. “Still have a ways to go until training camp. I haven’t been on ice for much time, so it will take some time on the ice to get to really get to 100%. I will say these last couple of skates have been positive and I felt better than maybe I thought I would. Just keep on working and getting more reps out on the ice. I’ll get back in no time.”
The former Vasteras IK product in Ersson appeared to be confident in his first season in North America before getting shutdown due to injury, as he posted a 0-3-1 record, a 2.96 GAA, and a .893 Save Percentage in a scorer’s league, “It’s just a lot of struggles,” Ersson said of his injury. “I had some groin issues. It was a little tough getting multiple injuries. It took a toll on me mentally, but I have great support from the organization and the team. I got the surgery I needed and now I’m on my way back. Hopefully, I can put this behind me.”
Ersson continued about what is feeling better specifically, “Just my groins. I would say they are starting to come along. I feel like I can trust them. I’ve done a lot of rehab while I’ve been injured too, so I’m working to strengthen that whole region. I feel like that’s giving positive results and I’m taking that out on the ice.“
“In terms of having fun off the ice. Ersson loves Swedish rap, “ I like to have fun though. I love Swedish Rap- Yung Lean, Mwuana (Laughing)…love it.” – Samuel Ersson said to Jamey Baskow in 2019
He wants to prove that he is a Goaltender that the Flyers can rely on in the future to back up Carter Hart. Of course, he will start with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the Fall, but hopefully he progresses this season to take over the backup role for the Flyers organization, possibly as early as next season. Yes, he’s that good, “He (Felix Sandström) really helped me a lot,” Ersson said of Sandström. “He dealt with his fair share of injuries, so he was a mental support through the process and talking about how did he feel. There was a long period of time I didn’t know what it was causing my issues. He was a great deal of help for me.”
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Ersson moves laterally post to post very well, so the sky is the limit for this young man, “It’s very frustrating,” Ersson said. “It’s hard. It was my first year here. It’s a transition to move over here. North America is a big change and to deal with injuries. I have to take it in a positive way and see that I’ve dealt with these issues. I feel like I dealt with them in the right way and it will make me stronger mentally.”
