Before this week begins, it's time for our weekly check-in on the Flyers' prospects playing in the AHL, overseas and at the junior and college levels.
Samuel Morin, D, 22, 6-7/202, Lehigh Valley (AHL)
It's been a roller coaster season for the 2013 first-round pick for many reasons, and the frustration continued last week for Morin. In the third period of the Phantoms' 5-2 win over Hershey Saturday in the AHL Outdoor Classic, Morin departed with another injury. The injury may have occurred on this poke check, but there was no update post game.
Morin has appeared in 15 of the Phantoms' 42 games because of injury and a brief two-game cup of coffee with the Flyers. It appeared Morin played well enough to make the Flyers out of training camp and stayed with the big club on the team's opening four-game West Coast trip but didn't play. Then on Oct. 29, the Flyers announced Morin would be called up to as a spot opened up, but then discovered he was injured.
We don't know how long Morin will miss with his most recent injury or if he will miss any time at all. The Phantoms play Wednesday night, but a season like this could harm a young player's confidence. One, many believe Morin should be with the Flyers, and if you ask him, he'd tell you the same. Add injuries to the mix, and it's the perfect storm.
Wade Allison, RW, 20, 6-2/205, Western Michigan (NCAA)
Allison's breakout sophomore season is over. He will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a lower-body injury in the first period of the Broncos' game Jan. 13. The 20-year-old was among the initial list of 74 nominees for the Hobey Baker Award. Before the injury, Allison was among the nation's top scorers with 15 goals and 30 points in 22 games. We'll see how the injury affects his decision to turn pro next season.
Pascal Laberge, C, 19, 6-1/192, Quebec (QMJHL)
Laberge, another prospect who's had an up-and-down season, has trended upward over his last nine games with the Remparts, as he becomes more acclimated to his new club. The 19-year-old had two goals and two assists in three games last week for Quebec to extend his point streak to four games and he's now averaging a point per game over his past nine games. Laberge's story is one to root for and this season's been another rocky one for him. He's battled inconsistency, and a trade, which compared to the past, seem like small potatoes. But he's on his best nine-game stretch this season, and we'll see if his recent showing will allow him to finish the year strong.
Quick hits
β’ Morgan Frost saw his 20-game point streak end Friday night but picked up an assist in Sault Ste. Marie's 4-2 loss to Flint. Frost had 45 points during his point streak.
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β’ Philippe Myers registered his third goal of the season and his first since Oct. 28 last Wednesday night in the Phantoms' 4-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
Mr. Myers, meet Mr. Puck... π
Mr. Puck, meet Mr. Net... π₯ π¨ pic.twitter.com/ngrVy7MdPkβ LehighValleyPhantoms (@LVPhantoms) January 18, 2018
Myers' first professional season has been met with injuries, but when he's been on the ice, he's making progress. He has eight assists and 11 points in 25 games this season.
β’ How did Carter Hart respond to allowing three goals on Jan. 14 for the first time since Nov. 10? You guessed right. Hart pitched another shutout Saturday night - his sixth of the season - and then extended his winning streak to 12 games Sunday.
β’ Alex Lyon was excellent in net for the Phantoms on Saturday night vs. the Bears, turning aside 41 of 43 shots. He's been better since returning Dec. 26 to Lehigh Valley.
β’ Hamilton's Matthew Strome is enjoying a three-game goal streak. He has 28 goals in 43 games this season.