Photo Credit: Elite Prospects
Garnet Hathaway was no stranger to the Flyers before he signed in Philadelphia. I mean he’s had some battles with Sean Couturier and the Flyers in particular since he played for the Washington Capitals for four seasons dating back to the 2019-20 season. What a great short tenure in Philadelphia it’s turning out to be, a great signing, a great addition to the lineup, he really has found his niche in his game, “For me it was a great opportunity and a challenge to come in and prove myself,” Hathaway said in his Zoom presser to the media yesterday. “Prove that not only will they see me as a part of their two year plan, but more than that. I want to be here when their plan really continues to take off, and you see us be even more successful than we have been.”
One thing that’s pretty neat about Hathaway is that he always credits somebody else for his success. Both he and Ryan Poehling shared success last season, especially in the latter parts of the season, “”I would love that,” Hathaway said if they both ended up being on the same line for the 2024-25 season. “I think Poehls is an unbelievable player.
Hathaway continues, “To be able to get his next contract. Let alone prove to this organization that they made a great decision, and they wanted him to be around longer than that initial short term plan. They see him as a part of the big plan. I know his work ethic, I know he’s going to be ready. He’s a good player that I think we complement each other. He’s got that speed, that skill, that vision, and then his awareness on the D-side of the puck. I think he’s really good. I’m excited for him to take it even farther, a bigger step.”
A veteran in Hathaway logs big minutes. He never puts up crazy numbers offensively, although he posted 14 goals in 2021-22, and to this date he only has sevenn goals as a Flyer, while one of them was short-handed. His physical presence and agitating style of play were a huge asset for Washington since joining them in 2019. He became more valuable for them since then, “I don’t think there’s really ever a moment to feel free. Playing in this league you can’t take your foot off the gas and feel like, Hey I’ve made it. Hey I have time for this. I can take a step back,” Hathaway said. “I want to live up to how the organization sees me, and the role I play for this team. I want to be there for them.”
It is no shock that the Caps have struggled at times since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Whenever Washington needed a boost or clutch goal, there were many times that Hathaway and the fourth line saved the day. He also became an asset at the trade deadline in the 2022-23 season, to which he was traded to the Boston Bruins.
To show how much he wanted to be in Philadelphia. Hathaway did his homework and originally sought out former players who once played for John Tortorella, according to Hathaway. Hathaway just wanted to ensure Philly and Tortorella were the right fit, “I talked to a lot of guys from different stages in their career and different teams that they had played for him (John Tortorella). It was a lot of what you hear from guys who (Currently) play for him now. A very honest coach, not someone who is going to sugar coat things, but is going to demand the best out of you effort wise,” Hathaway said when he originally signed a contract with the Flyers.
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