Photo Credit: Rebecca McCormick
The Flyers have had their fair share of up and downs this offseason. However, there is finally some good news on the horizon, as the World Junior Championships are set to begin today August 9, 2022. There are four Flyers prospects partaking in this particular tournament, and we will highlight them.
Everyone is looking forward to seeing Elliot Desnoyers and Tyson Foerster play for Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championships. The schedule for Team Canada is below:
August 10- 4:00 MDT/ Latvia vs. Canada
August 11- 4:00 MDT/ Slovakia vs. Canada
August 13- 4:00 MDT/ Czechia vs. Canada
August 15- 4:00 MDT/ Finland vs. Canada
Elliot “The Destroyer” Desnoyers
Once seen as a project pick for the Flyers after being traded from the Moncton Wildcats. Desnoyers brings a combination of high-end skating and hockey sense that makes him a dangerous player without the puck. He plays a good two-way game, and is rarely out of position. Desnoyers blocks shots, gets into the passing lanes, provides high energy, and simply plays the game the right way, and he played wwll with a 2021, 27th overall pick by the Nashville Predators in Zachary L’ Heureux, “I think for us forwards, the biggest part is protecting the puck in all kinds of situations, along the boards, when you have the puck and are trying to go to the net,” Desnoyers said. “It’s something that is so important at the next level, guys are so big, so good with their sticks. It’s something that you do at a fast speed. It’s been good everything we’ve done so far.”
Desnoyers provided a leadership role with a rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads club in his first season, and he increased his production this past season en route to a career year. Desnoyers was utilized in every situation to include the top Power Play Unit.
Tyson Foerster
At only 20-years-old, Tyson Foerster is starting to show maturity at such a young age on the ice. Tyson is a strong playmaker and has a shoot first mentality. Foerster was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers following the 2020 NHL Draft, as he was a first round selection, #23 overall. Unfortunately, last season didn’t go as planned with him getting hurt, and missing the remainder of the season.
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He is comfortable when he is in the face-off circle on the left side. Tyson feeds players extremely well and is always looking for where his target is. Foerster can bring qualities to the ice that the Flyers are lacking, but he needs his time with the Phantoms to not slow down his development. He took advantage of playing in the AHL with uncertainty surrounding the OHL in 2020-21. Tyson gained valuable professional experience, and tutelage from some veteran players like Cal O’Reilly and Garrett Wilson, whom he spoke of very highly of for helping him as he has stated to us at developmental camp in 2021.
Believe it or not his skating is better, he has worked hard with skating coach Slava throughout the course of the Summer. This is a huge development, so let’s hope he’s able to make an impression, a positive one, this training camp.
Emil Andrae
Andrae was born on February 23, 2002, in Vasterviks, SWE. His passion for the game found himself playing for the HV71 hockeyallsvenskan team. For the season, he registered nine goals, and 24 assists for a total of 33 points in 41 games played. Moreover, for his efforts Andrae was given the title of Team Captain for Sweden throughout the WJC Tournament in December, and he is also a plus six on the season.
The young 20-year-old prospect 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, and he has blistering shot. Andrae can play in any situation the coaching staff asks of him.
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 is becoming a really versatile player that has impeccable gap control.
A 5’9 player in Andrae logs minutes, and that is what Team Sweden needs. Team Sweden is deep at the defensive position, and Andrae stabilizes the defensive unit.
Team Sweden Schedule:
August 10- 12:00 MDT/ Switzerland vs. Sweden
August 12- 12:00 MDT/ Austria vs. Sweden
August 13- 8:00 MDT/ United States vs. Sweden
August 14- 8:00 MDT/ Germany vs. Sweden
Brian Zanetti
Zanetti was selected in the fourth round by the Flyers in 2021, and he is a smooth skating left-handed shot defenseman. He is a native of Switzerland, and he has been playing in the OHL for the Peterborough Petes, where he amassed four goals and 22 assists in 56 games played.
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.
Brian is a solid two-way defenceman, has good puck skills, and uses his size well to protect the puck. He closes gaps well which is a bonus, but he needs to work on playing the body more as well.
There is some rawness, but he knows what he needs to work on. He has the height as he stands at 6’2, now he just needs to fill in. That will come in time.
Team Switzerland Schedule:
August 10- 12:00 MDT/ Sweden vs. Switzerland
August 11- 8:00 MDT/ Switzerland vs. United States
August 13- 8:00 MDT/ Germany vs. Switzerland
August 15- 12:00 MDT/ Austria vs. Switzerland
