With the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, the Flyers have selected OHL Barrie Colts’ right winger Tyson Foerster.

I’d be lying if I said I expected this pick from the Flyers tonight. To be quite honest, I was disappointed. But it’s hard not to be when the first thing that gets brought up about your first round draft choice is his lack of skating ability. His “awkward skating strides” are what had Foerster ranked so poorly by so many. But Chuck Fletcher is no dummy, he saw something in Foerster that clearly most others did not.

The 6,1 1/2, 194 lbs skater from Alliston, Ontario put up quite an impressive amount of points in the 2019-2020 season. Playing in 62 games, he scored 36 goals and 44 assists for a total of 80 points. He was also named MVP at this past season’s CHL top prospects game, scoring 2 goals and having 1 assist to lead team white to a 5-3 victory.

Foerster’s most impressive attribute is his cannon like shot, and while 18 of his 36 goals were scored on the powerplay, it’s important to understand why. What Foerster lacks in the skating department, he makes up for with his Alexander Ovechkin style slapshot. Due to this, his play is at its best when on the slightly more open ice of a power play. This can be seen as both a positive and negative aspect of his play, but after witnessing the Flyers’ power play in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, its safe to say we could use all the help we can get.

Most of the focus on Foerster’s strengths have been on his scoring ability, with many underappreciating his vision on the ice and overall hockey sense. Clearly, as a player known for being a sniper, his 44 assists are being overlooked. This shows that Foerster’s ability to make plays is equally as strong as his ability to finish them.

By selecting Tyson Foerster 23rd overall, the Philadelphia Flyers showed confidence in his ability to overcome his skating struggles and become a top forward in the NHL. Quite honestly I think this makes the 18 year old sniper a perfect fit for Philadelphia. Welcome to the city of underdogs Tyson.

Mandatory credit: Terry Wilson/OHL images