Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
The Flyers have traded goaltender Samuel Ersson, defensemen Emil Andrae, and a 2026 3rd round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for netminder Joseph Woll and d-man Simon Benoit.
Samuel Ersson
Ersson has been a member of the Philadelphia Flyers since the 2022-23 season. The 26 year old goaltender played 143 career games for Philadelphia with an overall GAA of 3.01 and a .884 SV%. The Flyers acquired Ersson during the 5th round of the 2018 NHL entry draft.
Ersson played all of his hockey in Sweden before making his debut with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms during the 2021-22 season.
Philadelphia Flyers
Ersson made his NHL debut with the Flyers on December 23rd 2022 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Samuel appeared in a total of 12 games during the 2022-23 season.
During his 2nd season goaltending in the NHL Ersson was holding down the back-up position behind Carter Hart. Ersson was playing some solid hockey, the wins were adding up, and he was killing it in the shoot-out.
Carry That Weight
When Hart took his leave of absence from the team to face charges in Canada it was Ersson who shouldered the workload between the pipes. After starting just a dozen games the previous year Ersson was called on to start 51 games during the 2023-24 season.
It was too much too soon and everyone knew it. Even former head coach John Tortorella on several occasions stated that he knew they were over-using the young goaltender. The team had no other solid options to fall back on. If they wanted a shot a winning a hockey game Ersson was getting the start.
The Flyers were not mathematically eliminated from the post season until the final game of the regular season. Every game was relevant, so Ersson kept getting the call.
Vladar
This past season Dan Vladar clearly earned the number one spot as the Flyers top goaltender. He was voted team MVP for his outstanding play during the regular season. Ersson had a strong second half of the season as the team’s back-up winning key games down the stretch and helping the Flyers earn their first trip to the post season since 2020.
Brotherly Love
Samuel Ersson did not have the easiest run here in Philly. Out of necessity he did not have the luxury of a proper development schedule. He always did what was asked of him. He back-stopped a rebuilding hockey club as it took its lumps night after night. No matter the situation he gave his all and he should always be appreciated for that.
Ersson was very popular with his teammates and his love for the Flyers Fans was obvious. No matter how much baggage he was asked to carry around it never soured him on the team or the town.
The paint job on his mask said “The City of Brotherly Love” and that was the code Ersson lived by with the Flyers faithful.
A Fresh Start
Hockey goalies mature in a unique time frame. At 26 years of age Ersson is just about to enter what is considered “prime” for his position. This move to Toronto could prove to be a great opportunity with new surroundings, a clean slate, and a brand new set of circumstances to focus on.
It was time for the Flyers to solidify their goaltending situation. Hopefully this move will be a positive for everyone involved.
Always a gentleman, here’s to wishing Samuel Ersson all the best in his future endeavors.
Emil Andrae
Andrae was drafted by the Flyers in the 2nd round of the 2020 NHL entry draft. He made his debut with the team during the 2023-24 season and has played a total of 107 games as a Flyer. Again, a player who is well respected by his teammates. He works hard and he moves the puck well especially through the neutral zone on the rush.
At just 24 years of age, Andrae has a lot to offer and he’s still developing. He played 61 games with the Flyers this season splitting his time in Lehigh Valley with the Phantoms. Perhaps this will be his shot at landing a permanent NHL spot. Another really good dude, always a gentleman, all the best in Toronto!
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