Photo Credit: Shaylah Rice
“I’m really excited for this new opportunity to join a team, build with them and get a fresh start,” said Owen Tippett via a Flyers press release last year. “I’m still working on trying to round out my 200-foot game, but overall I think I can bring offense, size and speed to the lineup. I’m really excited to get going and meet everyone.”
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Good for Tippett for bringing size, speed, and a nasty wrist shot into the fold. Tippett’s confidence is finally paying dividends for the orange and black, now it’s time for the Ginger to reap some of the benefits after netting his first career hat trick:
“I think getting traded here last year just gave me a new opportunity and a fresh start. It’s been great so far, and I love playing in Philly.” – Owen Tippett
One Flyer who’s game has grown the most from a new change of scenery, and under John Tortorella is Owen Tippett. Even so much so, he has netted a career high in points with 20 (12g,8a), and four Power Play Goals on the year. His previous career high was 18 points and two Power Play goals both of which were in the 2020-21 season. One can sense he is infused with confidence, and some can see the potential that made him a first round pick in the first place.
It appears he has been Reborn in Philadelphia. The definition of “Reborn” is “Brought back to life or activity,” according to the Oxford Dictionary. In this case, he has a new lease on life after excelling here in Philadelphia, after his rocky start to his NHL career with the Florida Panthers.
It’s great to see Tippett finding his groove in the NHL. He’s always had the talent, now he has the tools. Tippett proved it with netting 20+ goals for the first time in his career.
“Tipp has a lot to learn still, but the improvement from where he was in camp – for me when I was first introduced to him and met him – to where he is now mentally, I think he’s made tremendous strides.” – John Tortorella
Torts has unlocked Tippett’s skill
The one part of Tippett’s game that has grown the most are his defensive skills. Maybe this is due to confidence, or it might be the John Tortorella effect, regardless it’s great to see him taking that next step in his game. Tortorella wants to see Tippett grow, so he is utilizing him in every situation, to include the Penalty Kill.
He just needed confidence, and the Flyers are trusting him. That goes a long way when building confidence, for a player that needed a fresh change of scenery.
“If he hits the net more, I think you see more goals,” John Tortorella said. “He steps on the ice, he’s dangerous. I think he thinks he’s a good player. I was just telling the coaches – we know he’s a good player, more importantly I think he thinks he’s a good player and he’s kind of letting it go.”
Tippett falls into the category of having drive. He has looked fresh and confident since coming back from his injury. It’s amazing what a good coach and confidence can do for a player. Tippett finally looks like the player the Florida Panthers drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was getting prime scoring chances once he was traded to Philly following the trade deadline last season. Now he’s cashing in on those opportunities. The talent has always been there, but his confidence at times lacked. Let’s look at what his confidence had done for him lately:
If Tippett continues to improve his game like Tortorella wants him too. Very dangerous player, and a player that you build around during the rebuild like the Flyers are in. He needs to hit the net more, and Tippett needs to take the puck to the net more often. Tippett has a good release, so he tends to feed off his wrist shot, but he could score maybe five to 10 more goals if he took the puck to the net more.
“Great goal. So happy for him to get three there and happy for Tyson too, he got his first point,” Tony DeAngelo said following Friday night’s game.
Hopefully his recent success continues and he is able keep up his confidence. Tortorella has said over and over that the team is in need of goal scoring, well Tippett is providing in this area. The young 23-year-old in Tippett stands at 6’1 and weighs 207 pounds. He likes to throw his weight around at times, has excellent speed, and really possesses an excellent wrist/snap shot.
