A quick update on Philadelphia Flyers 2020 second round pick (54 overall), Emil Andrae.
After a disappointing season overall for HV71 Jonkoping, playing with the playoff bound Phantoms has been a treat for the young blue liner. Emil Andrae had previously played for the worst team in the Swedish Hockey League before crossing the pond to help the Phantoms push for the playoffs.
During his time with HV71 Andrae would play in a total of 92 games with the top side. He would amass six goals and 27 assists. The majority of those points came this season as Andrae would shine as he’d score six goals and 24 assists in 51 regular season games while with HV71.
Andrae Signs ELC
On March 27th, the Flyers decided to sign the 21 year old to an Entry-Level-Contract. The contract will kick in next season. Meaning Andrae would finish out this season with the Phantoms on a PTO. Absolute genius move.
The Flyers have signed Emil Andrae to an entry level contract. The deal kicks in next season. He will stay with the Phantoms on PTO the rest of this season.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) March 27, 2023
Andrae has mostly lived up to his reputation as an exceptional puck moving defenseman with a dogged work ethic and great hockey smarts.
Andrae would even draw comparison to a former beloved Philadelphia Flyers defenseman, coincidentally also from a Nordic country in Finland.
Here’s a quote from last summers World Juniors tournament by Latvian Coach, Karlis Zirnis.
“The biggest thing you notice right away is he’s just a competitor, like he’s not shy of the physical game and he plays with a lot of grit,” Zirnis said. “If I have to compare to anybody in the NHL, I would say Kimmo Timonen, also played for the Flyers. That would be my comparison. Good with the hands, can see the ice very well, but not afraid to play the physical game.”
That’s a lofty comparison and we know fans love comparisons, however unfair they may be.
Having said that, with Andrae’s stocky build (he’s listed at 5’8, 181lbs), defensive work ethic, and offensive intelligence, maybe a Kimmo Timonen comparison isn’t that far off?
Through his first seven games with the Phantoms Andrae has filled in seamlessly for Lehigh Valley. The young Swede already has two goals and four assists in seven games. His most recent goal coming via the power play in a playoff clinching game for LHV.
Emil Andrae scored his second goal as a Phantom over the weekend.
He now owns six points in his seven games as a Phantom. pic.twitter.com/h9XPMQfmmo
— James Iacovone (@JimIkeHW) April 10, 2023
So while Flyers fans are dying for any sort of reason to look forward to the future with this summer’s NHL Draft, they may already have reason to look forward with Emil Andrae.
Jim Iacovone is the Founder and Site Manager for HW Hockey
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