Photo Credit: Rebecca McCormick
A young 20-year-old Flyers prospect Emil Andrae worked his tail off in the off-season to improve his game. Andrae is a 200 foot player, that is as fast as they come, plus he has a blistering shot. His hard-work paid off in a big way, as he has one heck of a year for HV71 this past season. Andrae can play in any situation the coaching staff asks of him.
Andrae really put forth one heck of a game against Switzerland yesterday in a 3-2 Swedish victory at the WJC. He finished the game with a plus two, and logged 24:58 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.
He only stands at 5’9 and only weighs 176 pounds, but he is still a talented left-handed shot defenseman. His hockey IQ has vastly improved from the prior year with HV71. Andrae found his niche and became a versatile player that has impeccable gap control, and he showcases that for Sweden yesterday.
What was most impressive about Andrae yesterday was his intelligence. He’s a smart hockey player and he showcases that along the boards. Andrae made quick decisive decisions to get the puck out of his own zone, and he was 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.
Brian Zanetti also looked good for Switzerland in a 3-2 loss to Sweden. Zanetti logged 14:25 of ice time, but he made the most of his minutes. He only registered one shot on net, but he did move the puck up the ice with confidence and poise.
This young 19-year-old, 6’2, weighing 181 pounds in Zanetti needs time to develop. Like most prospects he has to get bigger and stronger, he’s a bit lanky, and he reminds me of the build of Mason Millman when he was first drafted by the Flyers. However, Zanetti likes to join the rush, and is a smooth skating defenseman. These are some things to keep an eye on as the tournament progresses.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Team Canada won 5-2 over Latvia, while Tyson Foerster logged 14:28 of ice time. Elliot “The Destroyer” Desnoyers logged 10:22 of ice time while registering two shots on net.
Here is the schedule for Flyers prospects at the WJC today:
Canada vs. Slovokia 6pm EST (Foerster, Desnoyers)
Switzerland vs. USA 10pm EST (Zanetti)
