Photo Credit: Jill Rice
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. “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 this 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.”
Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher continues to revamp the team with physicality. MacEwen slid in as the 12th Forward at times against the more physical teams. 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, “I spend my summers in Prince Edward Island, Canada,” MacEwen said. “I have a really good training regimen there with a good group of pro guys that I do my training with. It is going to be about coming back to camp in really good shape. Couple things to work on and really hone in on with my game and really round off. Just try to give myself the best chance to have a role with this team and be the best I can be.”
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. Apparently he was a fan favorite, so this Restricted Free Agent (RFA) should re-sign in Philly. This is an easy one for Fletcher, sign him and move on with the offseason.
“After the first one here, I felt the energy from the crowd,” MacEwen said about his first fight as a Flyer. “I couldn’t really help myself a few times. I think it gets the people fired up and it gets me fired up. I love it and it is a lot of fun. It is a great adrenaline rush. I know these fans love a good fight and that kind of stuff. I am more than happy to feed into it and have a good time with the fans cause I am having fun out there.”
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Zack Macewen needs a contract in Philly immediately if not sooner. One of the last things this team has that you can count on is a feisty performance by Macewen night after night. During this past season I went to more games than usual grabbing tickets just before game time for less than the cost of parking. My justification was “at least Giroux is going to give his all and I can just focus on him and learn from his game”, The last few games I went to post Captain Claude Macewen was the next best thing to look forward to. So many entertaining Flyers are not given the respect they deserve. Simmonds should have never been let go the way he was. Wayne gave it all every night and half the stadium had his jersey on when he was sent packing. As much as I love it professional ice hockey is nothing more than an entertainment event and our arena is pretty empty lately because that aspect is really lacking. The entertainment factor does not show up on any advanced analytics spread sheet, it shows up in the seats.