Photo Credit: Amy Irvin/Hockey Writer’s
Ronnie Attard is not a flashy Right-Handed Defenseman, but he gets the job done. Attard finished last season with the Flyers with two goals, two assists, and was a -2 in 15 games played. Attard appeared to be confident and poised this season as he drove the play up the ice, and gathered some experience at the NHL level.
Attard had a solid Camp for the Flyers, at times though he shows that he would benefit from playing in the AHL, especially during the pre-season games. One cannot knock him for putting forth the effort and really showcasing his promising skills for the Flyers in the future, “If you thought I was going to send Attard down today after fighting Johnston last night, you’re out of your mind,” Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella said yesterday. “He’s had a great camp, still needs work, but those intangibles are important.”
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 nine 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.”
“I think it’s just knowing when to jump and when not too,” Attard said. “I’ve been studying the game a lot lately. You just have to be smart when you jump because guys are so good in this league if you jump at the wrong time the pucks going to end up in the back of your net. Just knowing when to go and when not to. Just reading rushes and stuff like that. I think those last 15 games helped me out a lot tremendously with my confidence and learning from those guys there. As each game went on, I felt more comfortable. The last five games there, I think I settled in real well. I was starting to understand when to jump and when not to.”
What to watch for during this recall?
Ronnie has excelled all season long with breakouts for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, to which the orange and black have been inconsistent in this area all season long. One game they are good, and the next not so much. I look for Ronnie to settle the play down, and let the game come to him. This will lead to clean zone exits, and smoother transitions up the ice for the orange and black.
I would personally like Ronnie to take control and be confident with what he is good at…transitioning. Attard should be fully made aware of what first year Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella wants and needs from his young prospects. Also, Tortorella is familiar with Attard. This young prospect in Attard is one of the steadiest defensemen for the Phantoms this season, as he has netted 11 goals, registered 19 assists, and is a plus nine in 64 games this season.
He was rightfully recalled, and let’s get a glimpse of what the future holds for this smiling 24-year-old prospect.
