I was really excited when Tyson Foerster was called up around two weeks ago on March 9th.
Tyson was born in Alliston, Ontario, and was drafted by Chuck Fletcher in 23rd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Listed at 6’2″ and 194 pounds, the 21-year-old right-shot winger made the most of his experience as a rookie, scoring 7 points in 8 games. It wasn’t just the shot that we’ll talk about later, but also that John Tortorella also really liked the kid. So much so that we put this meme out when he was recalled to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for a playoff push after yesterday’s 3-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings:
But seriously, Tortorella does think highly of him, using these choice words to describe his play during his short stint with the big club, “Just puck protection, positioning. I think he gets it away from the puck. With not much coaching from us, but Lappy’s done a terrific job down there (Ian Laperrière) with teaching him the complete game.”
After going pointless in his first 3 games, Foerster racked up 7 points in his last 5 games, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists. His first point came on March 17th, 4 minutes through the second period with a 1-0 lead against the Buffalo Sabres. He and Farabee were flying down the ice with a 2 on 1 situation, looking like it would be Foerster’s first goal, but he shot the puck just wide after the puck rolled on him. The play wasn’t over yet, as Joel Farabee was ready to end his 27-game goal drought, pulling the puck from behind the net and slipping it in on his backhand, extending the lead to 2-0 as they stormed on for a 5-2 victory. A primary assist would be Foerster’s first point in the league.
The very next night, he scored his first goal in the National Hockey League, cutting Carolina’s lead to 2-1. Foerster ripped a beautiful wrist shot in the right circle, far side post thanks to a well timed pass from Frost, and to Ristolainen for causing a change of possession in their own end to generate the opportunity.
But he wasn’t done yet, adding a primary assist to Noah Cates’ goal to keep things close at a 3-2 score towards the end of the second period. Despite blowing a game in the dying seconds of the final period, this was another step in the right direction for the 2020 first round draft pick. Smart puck movement and patience, and I really like where he placed his shot.
In a surprise 6-3 blowout victory against the Florida Panthers, Foerster added another multi-point game with two primary assists that Tuesday night. His first assist of the night was a very “brainy” move. Set up in the offensive zone, Morgan Frost sent the puck from the top of the right circle, but Foerster noticed, in a split of a second, that it was a wombling puck, and settled it for a streaking Provorov, who was able to cleaning pull the puck to his back hand from the left to right post, extending their lead to 5-2.
With 2 minutes left in the final period, goalie pulled, John Tortorella iced Tyson Foerster to see what he can do when defending the zone and a lead in the final minutes of a game, and he didn’t disappoint. He stayed with Forsling, and Foerster (nice tongue twister there) was able to block the shot, and cleanly send the puck to a breaking Morgan Frost, icing the game for a 6-3 victory in the barn.
Against Minnesota last Thursday night, he outdid himself on his second goal of his career, walking in and ripping the puck from the top of the right circle, tying the game with just under 6 minutes to go in the final period. The Flyers went on to win that game 5-4 in a shootout. The only other players on this team right now who not only can recognize the space they have to take that shot, but also possess the power and skill to score are Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny. An incredibly confident shot for a kid who was only in his 7th career NHL game.
In his last game up with the Flyers, Tyson iced the game, making it a 3-0 score against Detroit, earning a 3-goal victory and 3-game winning streak after a successful matinée. It wasn’t a clean one by him, earning himself two minor penalties.
The Flyers desperately needs guys who not only can make plays, but guys who can also rip the puck and score from outside the crease and the hash marks, and now they may have that piece in Foerster. All 4 of Foerster’s assists were primary assists, which is a great sign that he can drive play at the NHL level as well.
That being said, with all the praise being thrown his way, Foerster needs to learn to temper himself. That comes with youth, but he was sent to the box twice against Detroit, which isn’t a very smart decision when your team ranks 27th in the league on the penalty kill.
But still, after hearing all the praise Foerster received this season and during his recall, you have to wonder if he makes a strong case to be in the starting lineup next season.
