The Phantoms are on fire to start the 2021 season, while posting a 12-3-2 record (26 points) which is good enough for first place in the North Division. Here are some players that are on a tear, and ones to look out for in tonight’s game against the Binghamton Devils.
Tyson Foerster
This young 18-year-old in Foerster has really made the most of his opportunity with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season, due to the uncertainty with the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). His skating has improved dramatically this season, and Foerster is fresh coming off a two goal, two assist performance last week in a Phantoms 3-1 victory over the Hershey Bears, “I think honestly there’s even more still to give. I think there is always room to improve,” Foerster said following the win. “Everyone is in a positive mood, even at practice.”
Foerster had a phenomenal week last week. He tallied four goals, and chipped in two assists. Foerster is becoming a sniper that Fletcher thought he would be, and oh yea he registered a shootout goal in Saturday’s victory, as well.
Wade Allison
Allison is finally healthy and confident again. He has gifted hands, he can shoot and pass on top of being a physical guy. Allison enjoyed a great freshman year with Western Michigan University by registering 12 goals, and 17 assists for a total of 29 points in 36 games played. He really enjoyed the pressure of his first year. In turn, it actually made him a more physical player, as Allison explained to me in 2017 during an interview.
Wade has four goals, and nine assists in just seven games played. He is averaging 1.29 points per game in just his first professional season of hockey. The big key for Allison was staying healthy, and if he continues to produce he will be called up to the Flyers sooner rather than later.
Zayde Wisdom
The Flyers selected a sturdy, powerful winger in the 4th round of the 2020 NHL Draft. They selected a physical goal-scorer in Zayde Wisdom, who compiled 29 goals, and 30 assists for 59 points last season for the Kingston Frontenacs.
Wisdom is fortunate to be in the AHL this season with the uncertainty to the OHL season, but he is taking full advantage of this golden opportunity. He is adding a goal scorer’s touch to his impressive resume as he has tallied seven goals and four assists in 18 games played for the Phantoms. Remember Wisdom is just 18-years-old and killing it.
Linus Högberg
Högberg really established himself as a quality puck moving defenseman last season in 2019-20, while playing for the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL. He became much better in transition, and Högberg was able to exit the defensive zone cleanly, whether if it was by pushing the play up the ice, or looking for a quick pass to exit the defensive zone. For the season, he recorded five goals, and nine assists in 50 games played in arguably the third toughest league in the World.
Now these above offensive stats won’t blow people away, but Högberg played in a Men’s league in the SHL, so the competition was much fiercer. Högberg could have better stats if he played in an easier league, but he likes stiff competition. He’s a competitor, one that can skate well, sees the ice well, and will pinch at the right time. Most of all, Högberg plays a mistake free game, and he has transitioned well to the North American ice.
This young prospect in Högberg really has showed his range by playing in any situation the coaching staff asks if him, and he has done well with puck protection. His skating appears to be much smoother than in prior years, and the young 22-year-old defenseman is on the rise folks. Högberg is an excellent defenseman, who is really good at his craft as he has tallied four assists in 17 games played.
Max Willman
Willman has very good puck skills, and has great lateral mobility and edging. Fresh off signing a new two-year contract with the Flyers. He can make plays at high tempo, and he may not be be the fastest skater but he skates well. Willman clocks in at 6’0 and weighs 183 pounds. Of course, like most prospects he needs to get bigger and stronger, and could always improve their skating abilities. Willman has a heavy shot, and is dead accurate when he shoots. He can pick apart the net with the best of them. He is killing it this season as he has tallied seven goals, and chipped in seven apples in 16 games played for the Phantoms this season. Willman has opened eyes throughout the entire Flyers organization.
Wyatte Wylie
Wylie is a great skater and stick handler for that matter. He remains calm and poised, as he is very rarely out of position defensively. He really helps the Phantoms transition out of the zone well, but more importantly join the rush when he sees fit. The Flyers will need this speedy right-handed/left-handed defencemen in the future, as the name of the game in the NHL is speed. There is no doubt Wylie can eventually be that speedy spark to amp up the offense, but play a sound defensive game, as well.
He started his professional career off with a bang in just his first professional game with the Phantoms, as he tallied a game time tying goal that sent a game into overtime with Ryan Fitzgerald scoring the overtime winner. Wylie is playing a sound defensive game as his gap control has been very effective.
This first year professional in Wylie has closed gaps well, and is providing the Phantoms with an offensive boost. he has tallied one goal, and has chipped in four assists in 14 games played. Wylie has proven to be a fearless player, as well, as he blocked a shot in the facial region a few weeks ago.
Zane McIntyre
McIntyre was signed in the offseason to an AHL contract. McIntyre is 8th in the AHL with a 2.32 GAA (Goals Against Average). He also has posted a .922 Save Percentage.
He has proven to be a steady netminder, as both Felix Sandström and Alex Lyon have both intermixed time with the Flyers Taxi Squad this season. McIntyre has been positionally sound for the most part, and recovers well on initial shots. He also reacts well to deflected shots thus bouncing quickly and promptly to make the save.
Cam York
York is a young 20-year-old and he had had a marvelous season for the University of Michigan. He finished the season with four goals and 16 assists, and was a plus 13. York has become very good with gap control as he’s like a leech on his opponents and he suffocates his opponents at the blue line. He has become excellent with quick zone exits, which leads to him joining the rush up the ice.
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He’s not the fastest skater, but he’s a solid skater. York is an intelligent hockey player, has a good hockey sense, and knows when to pinch at the right times. York makes his teammates better, and he sticks up for them. John Beecher was leveled by Jacob Wilson early in the season during a game. York didn’t like the hit and went after Wilson. I did not know York was known for this type of feistiness, but Flyers fans love players like this. York will sign an ELC when the season wraps up.
Hopefully he will be able to play with the Phantoms soon, as he indicated such this past weekend. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher also said he could see time with the big club this season, depending on how well he gets acclimated with the Phantoms. The Flyers top brass are hoping he competes for a job in the Fall (Training Camp).
