Photo Credit: Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images
Egor Zamula, who is only 22-years-old, went undrafted during one of his draft eligible years, specifically the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a entry-level contract with the Flyers that same year and is under contract through the 2022-2023 season where he will then become a restricted free agent.
Zamula has gained weight and got stronger this offseason and he feels great, “I gained 12 pounds, great camp in Russia,” Zamula said without a translator. For his efforts, he has been training at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, NJ for the past month and half, and his weight is now 192 pounds He has also learned the English language, as this was the first presser that I recall, that he was without a translator.
“Everyone is a great player,” Zamula continued. “I like playing with everyone. I don’t have any problems with the military (While speaking of the Russian military.”
The 6’3, 177lb defenseman played in parts of four seasons in the WHL (Western Hockey League). He played in 38 games with the Regina Pats back in 2017-2018 before being put on waivers and being claimed by the Calgary Hitmen.
In parts of three seasons with the Hitmen, Zamula registered 90 points in 120 games. He scored 19 goals while assisting on 76 others.
In 83 games with the Flyers AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Zamula has registered four goals and 31 assists, while having a plus/minus of +3.
The Russian native is known for his ability to move the puck, breakup plays with his stick, and his skating ability to name a few.
Both he and Wyatte Wylie got kudos from Lehigh Valley Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière today:
“They put the work in. Wylie and Z…kudos to them.” – Ian Laperrière
Wyatte Wylie
It’s always great to from a Coach, especially from a coach that was your coach last season, in this case Wylie’s coach. Wylie needed a big summer, and he got it. He has been training at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, NJ for the past month and a half, where he has bulked up according to Ian Laperrière, “They put the work in. Wylie and Z…kudos to them. They both got bigger,” Laperrière said.
In 2018, Former Flyers’ General Manager Ron Hextall wanted to eventually restock the defensive cupboard within the farm system, hence the reason why Hextall selected a Wyatte Wylie in the fifth round of the NHL Draft.
Just a year or so after signing his Entry-Level-Contract with the Flyers. Wylie appears to be forgotten about at times, with the likes of Egor Zamula, and Cam York pegged ahead of him. Actually, there has been more talk recently about a new prospect, sort of speak, Ronnie Attard lately . So what gives? Do t forget that Wylie had that “Don’t forget about me folks,” moment last year at Rookie Camp.
Wylie was really good from puck drop at one Rookie Game last year. He blocked shots, as he took a blast off his arm in the third period yesterday in the eventual 6-3 Flyers prospect victory over the New York Rangers prospects. More importantly, he is a very good penalty killer and a solid passer as he finished the game with two apples.
What most Flyers fans do not know is that Wylie played on his off-hand in the 2018-19 season for the Everett Silvertips, meaning he can play both the left and right sides on defense. Wylie told me at Developmental Camp in 2019 that he just wants to play, so he would play either side the coaches ask him to play. These tools became valuable when Chuck Fletcher decided to ink him to a three-year ELC yesterday, “I wanted to come here this Summer to prove to the Flyers I wanted to be here,” Wylie said. “Just give it all I can, and for Everett to let me do this it’s awesome.”
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Don’t forget about Wylie. Getting a shout out from a Coach on the first day of Rookie Camp is a great thing. Now he has to keep plugging and keep focused at the task at hand, in order to have a shot within the Flyers organization.
