Photo Credit: Zack Hill
“Foerster…he’s a hell of a talent,” – Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière said earlier in the season
“Did you see the goal he scored in the scrimmage there? Wow,” Laperrière said. “Not too many kids can score that goal. The puck was there, the other guy, I don’t remember, it was a defender, he had his stick there and just grabbed that puck and sniped it. He’s a goal scorer. And you know what I like about him!!! He loves to score goals. We all do, which I didn’t score many, but this kid just wants to score goals.”
At only 21-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.
One thing has become clear. He is showing physical maturity, as a looks a bit leaner but stronger (Muscle wise), “This summer was a big summer for me,” Foerster said in the offseason. “I lost some fat and I feel great coming in, I feel a lot faster than I was last year. I’m ready to go for camp.”
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He is comfortable when he is in the face-off circle on the left side, and has been made evident from the start of the season. He has become more consistent and confident with his game as the season has wore on. For his efforts, Foerster will play in the AHL Game tonight, and will represent the Lehigh Valley Phantoms with class.
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 2020-21 season. Tyson gained valuable professional experience, and tutelage from some veteran players like Cal O’Reilly and Garrett Wilson, whom he speaks of very highly of for helping him. Foerster scored on one heck of a breakaway last night in the Skills Competition, and went 4-6 in the shooting accuracy finishing tied for second to David Gust who went 4-4. Tonight should be interesting.
Ronnie Attard
Ronnie Attard, he is one of the most underrated prospects in the Flyers system. There are not enough outlets that talk about Attard. For his efforts, Attard inked a two-year ELC this past season.
He’s not a flashy Right-Handed Defenseman, but he gets the job done. Attard finished the season with 12 goals, 20 assists, and was a +15 for the Western Michigan Broncos. Attard appeared to be confident and poised this season as he drove the play up the ice, and netted a few hat tricks in the process. He even suited up for 15 games with the Flyers, and really showcased his promising skills in the future, “I feel like I’m right on track, ” Attard said. “I’ve continued to gain strength and now it’s just the speed aspect of it. I feel really good and really strong.”
With being a “Study” of the game, one of the most underrated part to Attard’s game is his shot from the point. He is highly accurate with his shot, and it’s a heavy one. Attard can hit the net 9 times out of 10, and really is a solid skater. He also loves to jump in on the rush up the ice, and Attard usually pinches at the right time. This can really help the Flyers in the future with the man advantage, and it also helps he watches some NHL players to further hone in on his game, “That’s something I did, watching some guys like Jacob Trouba, Cernak, players like that provide stability for their team,” Attard said. “I know that’s a role that I need to take under my wing, provide that stability on the back end and keep continuing to earn ice time. If I can be good on the defensive side of the puck, that will continue to get me minutes. Coach can trust and put me out there.”
Attard has settled in nicely with the Phantoms since his rocky/learning curve to the season. He has paired nicely with Adam Ginning, and really is still to look like a more complete player. Attard finished tied for third overall and third in the East with the hardest shot of 97.2 MPH last night during the Skills Competition, and hopefully this is a sign of things to come with his future with the orange and black.
Best of luck to both Attard and Foerster tonight, as both are playing in their first AHL All-Star game.
