Overview
- Philadelphia announced on Oct. 12 that Emil Andrae was recalled from Lehigh Valley and Dennis Gilbert was loaned to the Phantoms after Gilbert cleared waivers on Oct. 5.
- Coach Rick Tocchet sought a puck-moving option with Cam York out with a lower-body injury, pairing Andrae with Noah Juulsen for the home opener.
- Andrae posted two assists in the Phantoms’ season opener before the call-up, then logged 10:22 at five-on-five in his Flyers debut of the season and drew praise from Tocchet for a composed, assertive game.
- Tocchet characterized the opportunity as a chance to “make a statement” on defense, with Andrae’s stay potentially tied to performance as York could return as soon as Thursday.
- Andrae, a 2020 second-round pick who had 1 goal and 6 assists in 42 NHL games last season, returns as the club continues evaluating fringe defenders, while Gilbert reports to a young Phantoms blue line.