Is Tyson Foerster Legit?

Another losing season has come and gone for the Philadelphia Flyers, but the they may have found a gem.

With the trade of a franchise legend and a silent summer in the rearview, the 2022-23 season was never going to be viewed as a year of success for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Head coach John Tortorella made it abundantly clear early on that fixing this franchise would be a tough process. It would need time to reestablish what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer.

“I’m going to play the kids”

Torts clarified, ensuring fans that we would get detailed looks at the youth of this organization. We’d get to see who could be part of the solution moving forward.

As the season has nearly come and gone, Tortorella has delivered on his promise. He’s given younger, unproven players like Owen Tippett, Morgan Frost, Noah Cates, and several others plenty of ice time to prove themselves. Not just to the fanbase but management alike.

Most recently the spotlight was on Tyson Foerster to step up to the plate and deliver. Deliver he did.

2020 NHL Draft

Foerster was selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Fresh off of the most successful Flyers season in nearly a decade.

The pick was heavily endorsed by Danny Briere, the now the interim General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Foerster possesses a lethal shot that raises the eyebrows of everyone both on and off the ice. His skating however, had proven to be a problem for the Ontario native early in his development.

With the Ontario Hockey League’s status unknown at the time and Foerster not quite where he needed to be, he’d find himself with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to start the 2020-21 season.

Injury Bug

In just the third period of his professional debut with the Phantoms, 19-year-old Foerster, was forced to exit with a shin fracture. The injury would keep him out of the lineup for nearly a month.

Upon returning, the former first round pick produced 17 points in 24 games before taking a scary spill into the boards. This injury kept him out of the last couple games of the Phantoms’ season with a separated collarbone.

Three points and nine games into the 2021-22 season with Lehigh Valley, Foerster suffered his greatest setback to date when he injured his shoulder in early November.

He would undergo surgery and remain out of the lineup until March 25th. Foerster would step back onto the ice, this time with the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

Biting Back

Foerster finished out the season with Barrie, posting 11 points in 13 regular season games along with four points in six games worth of playoff experience.

He was selected to play for Team Canada at the rescheduled 2022 World Juniors, recording three goals and three assists in seven games en route to a gold medal for the Canadians. Fellow Flyers prospect Elliot Desnoyers played in the tournament for Canada as well.

This season the 21-year-old has really begun to make a name for himself. Through 58 games with Lehigh Valley, Foerster has recorded 40 points (19g,21a), rightfully earning an NHL call-up.

It did not take long for both fans and the coaching staff to take a liking to the improved skating sharp shooter. Foerster would be unleashed as he racked up seven points during his eight-game stint with the Flyers.

You might recall this absolute bullet to tie things late against Minnesota.

Tyson Foerster with a toe drag release snipe to tie is up AGAIN. 🤯

Foerster has six points in his first seven career games. pic.twitter.com/JVRc5Y9jCo

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 24, 2023

Tortorella firmly believes AHL playoff experience is crucial for a young player’s development. This means Foerster will finish the year with the Phantoms as they make their playoff push.

With only eight games of NHL experience under his belt it is way too early to tell what kind of player he will develop into.

However there is one thing we do know.

The signs are there. Tyson Foerster may be legit.

Paul Jackson is a Contributor for HW Hockey
Photo: Just Sports Photography
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