In 2018, Ron Hextall wanted to eventually restock the defensive cupboard within the farm system, hence the reason why Hextall selected a stud in Wyatte Wylie in the 5th round of the NHL Entry Draft.
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. Hextall selected Wylie to help aide the Flyers with transitioning out of the zone, but more importantly join the rush when he sees fit. The Flyers will need speedy right-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.
As Wylie headed back to Everett following training camp he progressed to the point, where he thought he was ready for the rigors of professional hockey in the AHL. What most Flyers fans do not know is that Wylie played on his off-hand last season for the Everett Silvertips. He also told me at Developmental Camp that he can play either side on Defense because of such. These tools became valuable when Chuck Fletcher decided to ink him to a three-year ELC yesterday, “I wanted to come here this Summer to prove to the Flyers I wanted to be here,” Wylie told me at Developmental Camp, “Just give it all I can, and for Everett to let me do this it’s awesome.”
Wylie continued, “The support Everett (Fans) gives you, whether your home or away, it’s something that makes you want to work harder. It definitely keeps you going. The fans of Everett are everything, their awesome.”
This young prospect in Wylie opened some eyes for the Silvertips this past season with his elite vision of the ice, and just had a knack for shutting down lines. He’s so darn good at shutting down top lines night after night. Wylie can shoot the puck too, as he potted 14 goals this past season, to go along with 50 apples in just 62 games, but he’s taken his defensive game to another level this season, using quick zone exits as a strategy.
The Silvertips star has some great hockey tools that the Flyers could benefit from in the future. Wylie is so darn good on skates, and to pair that with his hockey good IQ. He’s just too darn talented, as he can play both the left side and right side. Wylie’s perseverance, and hard-work won him this contract in the end. One thing is for certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
