New Lehigh Valley Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière was sitting at the podium following Sunday’s rookie game, as the Flyers media fired many questions his way. Of course, one question pertained to Morgan Frost, “He (Morgan Frost) was physical,” Laperrière said. “I just talked to him before I got up here and he felt great. He was a little bit tired, like I gave him quite a bit of ice-time, which I wanted to test him in different situations I would like to see him in, and management would like to see him too. I thought he looked great…He’s such a smart player, he can adjust. I’m just happy for him that he put the work in.”
“He looks bigger, he looks stronger, and even playing in his battles out there, he did. And all credit to him, he went back home and put the work in and it’s paying off right now. I told him already, I want him to make the Flyers. I hope he does. I hope I don’t see him. I’ll be honest, I hope I don’t see any of those kids, I hope they make the NHL.”– Ian Laperrière
Now Frost can make good on Laperrière’s vote of confidence as he heads to training camp, which starts tomorrow at 8:30am sharp. Unfortunately, Kevin Hayes will miss 6-8 weeks as he recovers from abdominal surgery that he had yesterday, but what it does is open a spot possibly for the highly touted Flyers prospect in Frost.
Morgan Frost had some great moments for the Flyers, but he had some unfortunate luck last season as a shoulder injury sidelined him after playing in just two games for the Flyers. Frost really improved tremendously on the defensive side of the puck as he got more chances with the big club in 2019-20. The Flyers top brass took notice and Frost was able to make the team out of training camp in 2020-21, and he weighs around 190 pounds now, “I feel really good,” Frost said at developmental camp. “I kind of got through the rehab part of my shoulder and then it was more just about strengthening it a little bit. I think I’m very close. I feel ready. I’m confident.”
This young 22-year-old in Frost continued, “I feel confident that I can go into battles, take hits, and play physical with it. I’m fully confident. I think I just have a little bit more rehab to go to make sure that it’s fully 100% for the future.”
Confidence is such a big thing right now for Frost in particular, so it’s good to hear him sound so confident. Frost embarks on his biggest training camp yet, has he tries to prove that he is indeed physically 100% to handle the rigors of a full NHL season, “Well, I was here all season,” Frost said. “I stayed until the very end of the season, that was mostly rehab and just trying to get motion back on my shoulder. Towards the end, like the last month of the season, I started skating, no contact or anything, but just trying to get a little feel back. As the summer went on, I just started getting more confident and confident with that every day. I’m fully good to go now.”
Frost is still very talented and should not be forgotten of. There is healthy competition at training camp this season, which will only help his game in the future. Remember Frost finished with 29 points in 41 games played (13g, 16a) for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2019-20. The Flyers could really use Frost’s explosive speed, and solid defensive play. This is what he needs to show at camp during scrimmages, and the preseason. Everyone knows Frost is very good in practices, and shootouts. However, he has to show how explosive he could be during a scrimmage, and play sound defensively, “It definitely wasn’t fun,” Frost said of his injury. “I worked really hard and trained hard to make the team. I was really excited that I did make the team and I was getting an opportunity to play. It was real tough timing and pretty unfortunate. I’m glad with the procedure I went through because it’s not going to happen again. Now it feels pretty strong. One tough year, but looking to bounce back this year. I think I’m ready to go so.”
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The key word for Frost is confidence, and he appears to be very confident in his abilities and his game. Healthy competition at camp will help mold him into a better player, for instance, the additions of Derick Brassard and Nate Thompson, “Everyday here is an exciting opportunity,” Frost said. “It’s the best league in the world. To get a chance, even just to be on the ice with guys like that, is really special. It’s nice to be out there, but also have the confidence in yourself that I can be one of these guys, too. I think there’s been a lot of great role models and people that I can look up to within the organization. I’m striving to be one of those people moving forward.”
