Date Published: 10-18-2022
Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
I’m sure it was a tough week for MacEwen. He was waived and sent to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last week a little over a week ago, and he went there with a great attitude. For his efforts, MacEwen made a positive impression with Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière, not only because he scored a goal on Friday night in the Phantoms first victory of the season, but it was the way he carried himself, “Well his attitude better be right or he doesn’t come back up, and that’s not what happened,” John Tortorella said yesterday. “He was great. I haven’t filled out my roster yet (For tomorrow), who knows he might play.”
Later MacEwen added, “”It’s all part of the game. I have to earn everything I get and nothing will be given to me. I just worked on my game down there to get better. I know I can progress my game.”
A native of Charlottetown, PE, CAN, Zack MacEwen stands at 6’3 and weighs 205 pounds. He is physical, fights, and MacEwen felt the love from the City of Philadelphia and the passionate fanbase through dark times this past season, “I really felt the love and support from the fans all season,” he said following exit interviews. “For me, coming here from Vancouver, not really knowing what to expect and being welcomed in that manor is not something I take lightly. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the fans here.”
MacEwen played 34 games with the Canucks in 2020-21, and of course he registered six fights. The guy can throw down the mitts with the best of them, and that may be the reason why Fletcher scooped him up off waivers in the first place. When you think of the Metropolitan Division you have the likes of Jared MCann, Ryan Reaves, and Tom Wilson. Now enter MacEwen, the Flyers had to match the toughness of the division, “Yeah, I think the physicality is a big part of my game,” MacEwen said. “There are things I am happy about with the year and there are things that are leaving me wanting more. Production-wise and being more trustworthy here with the coaching staff and give myself a better role.”
MacEwen, 25, registered three goals and six assists last season for the orange and black. He is known for his hitting, grit, and just being a hard-nosed player to play against. MacEwen appeared to be loved by Canucks fans, and that appeared to filter over to Philadelphia, “From the moment I got here, everybody seemed like a really tight group,” MacEwen said. “I honestly had never really seen anything like it before I got here, so it was a breath of fresh air to step into that, be accepted and welcomed right away. I think having that chemistry and that bond is only going to better the team for the future. I think it is a great thing to have.”
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Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher continued to revamp the team with physicality with recently adding Nic Deslauriers. MacEwen slid in as the 12th Forward at times against the more physical teams last season. He took over a role that Samuel Morin was supposed to be utilized for:
“A lot can happen, but I am staying very positive and hopeful. I love it here in Philly. I would love to keep playing here.” – Zack MacEwen
This native of Canada in MacEwen is not afraid to stick up for his teammates. That is what separates him from a lot of players. He can lay a big hit, and provides much needed energy when he is on the ice. MacEwen does not take a shift off, and will do what is necessary to win the hockey game, Some people may have not have heard about MacEwen before he donned a Flyers jersey, but once he put on that orange and black sweater all things changed. MacEwen instantly became a fan favorite, so it’s good to see him back with the big club.
