Get To Know The Newest Flyer Jamie Drysdale
After a month, it’s clear that Jamie Drysdale was meant to be a Philadelphia Flyer. He’s embraced the fanbase, is playing competitive hockey, and is clearly happy to be here. Drysdale is on the ice early during most practices to get extra work in. He’s shown his work ethic even when he thinks nobody is looking. Recently I caught up with Drysdale following his photoshoot as the Flyers prepared for the stadium series. With the whirlwind of events surrounding the trade finally settling down, it was essential to see how the defenseman was adjusting to his new team.
Getting To Know Jamie Drysdale
Q: Why did you choose number nine?
Jamie Drysdale: I don’t have a good answer for you, to be honest with you. I’ve never worn nine, but they asked me what number I wanted the second I got traded. I like to keep it in the single digits, and nine went pretty cool, so a little change-up. I had a new team, so I figured out a new number.
Q: Do you think you will stick with nine going forward?
JD: Yeah, I wouldn’t say I like to change a lot, and I’ve already changed more than I would generally like to, so it’s going to stay.
Q: How has it been being coached by John Tortorella? It’s been a month already. Do you feel like you’re growing as a player or that anything is holding you back?
JD: It’s been fantastic, honestly. He shoots you straight and keeps everyone honest and accountable. Besides a rough stretch, we’ve been doing well and came from two big wins against two good hockey teams.
Q: Do you feel like you’re growing closer with teammates? Is there anyone you didn’t know before you can lean heavily on?
JD: I can say that about most of the guys. I don’t know if it’s my fault, but I’m comfortable already. Cam (York), Laughton, and Deslauriers, understanding a couple of those guys, can help. It’s a great group of guys and a lot of fun.
How The Sudden Change Impacted Jamie Drysdale
Q: Do you miss Anaheim? Any players? How was the change going coast to coast?
JD: I miss Anaheim. The group there was fantastic. I got drafted there and became close with the staff, the team, and the players. You build good friendships throughout your first couple of years as a team. You have guys who took you under their wing. There are a handful of guys there that I’m close with and miss.
Q: I know one thing you said when you first came (to Philly) was how the Flyers’ ownership was so significant about treating their players. Do you feel like anyone stepped up to make you feel at home, whether that’s Danny (Briere) or Keith (Jones)?
JD: Everyone was so good to me. It was fantastic to see and be a part of how they treated me, my parents, my brother, and everyone else. My buddy came down, too, when I got traded. It was unbelievable. You see that only sometimes.
Q: You mentioned your parents. Did they travel from Toronto to see you in Philly?
JD: My parents have driven from Toronto to Philly a couple of times, so they’re used to the drive. They’re here often, which I like.
Jamie Drysdale’s Bed
Q: Are you now settled in? Did you finally get the bed situation sorted out?
JD: I’m all settled in. I got a bed. It’s currently college living. It’s a mattress on the floor, but it’s a bed. The bed frame is coming in today. The bed is a work in progress.
*Drysdale did laugh about this afterwards. He thinks the interest people have is funny.*
Big Games Ahead
Q: Are you ready for the stadium series? Have you ever dreamed of playing outside in that type of atmosphere?
JD: Oh, man! I’m so excited! It’s something I’ve never done before. You always hear those games are a blast and cool to participate in.
Q: Do you think this team can make the playoffs, and what’s it like to be a big part of something special happening here in Philadelphia?
JD: 100%. I do. You see when we play, we can play with all these great teams. We’ve proven it, but that’s just saying it. It’s the consistency and ensuring we do it night in and night out. I thought I was confident in this group when playing our game.
How The Flyers Acquired Jamie Drysdale
The Philadelphia Flyers made a trade during a home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the middle of the first intermission, the alert was that Philadelphia’s promising prospect Cutter Gauthier had been traded to the Anaheim Ducks in return for defenseman Jamie Drysdale.
While questions were looming around about why Gauthier didn’t want to play in Philadelphia, it was also exciting as Drysdale put up promising numbers in Anaheim. Following the trade, it came out through GM Danny Briere and President Of Hockey Operations Keith Jones that this trade had been in the works for some time. The Flyers’ higher-ups noted that since this summer, Gauthier made it clear he didn’t want to play for the Flyers. With a player like Gauthier leaving, it was important for Briere and Jones to find a player that could hold that same value.
His Fit With The Team
With such promise surrounding Jamie Drysdale, the biggest question still went unanswered, “how will he fit in with Philadelphia.”
Luckily, Drysdale entered the organization knowing a familiar face in defenseman Cam York. The two go back as York, who grew up in Anaheim, was friends with current Ducks forward Trevor Zegras, who introduced Drysdale to the friend group. When the news broke out about the trade, York was quick to get in contact with Drysdale. York explained that even Zegras was sending messages regarding the trade as well.
"I texted him (Drysdale) right away. Him and Trevor Zegras texted me so kinda came out of nowhere, but glad he's here." -Cam York
— Haley Taylor Simon (@Haleytsimon) January 9, 2024
Drysdale’s First Month As A Flyer
Following the January 8th trade, Drysdale flew directly to Philadelphia from Nashville where the Ducks were preparing to play Nashville. Upon arriving early in the morning, Drysdale went directly to the Flyers practice facility, laced up, and joined his new teammates and coach John Tortorella for his first practice. He donned a familiar uniform number; 9, on the Flyers backline and started his Flyers career.
Jamie Drysdale is at practice wearing number 9. pic.twitter.com/aEQy5VrwQF
— Haley Taylor Simon (@Haleytsimon) January 9, 2024
After his first practice, Drysdale spoke about how he was traded in the past 24 hours.
Jamie Drysdale on how he found out about the trade. pic.twitter.com/rhh6zPqoHM
— Haley Taylor Simon (@Haleytsimon) January 9, 2024
Jamie Drysdale made his Flyers debut two days after being acquired against the Montreal Canadians. Flyers fans gave him a warm welcome as he was getting ready for his first shift for the orange and black. The newest Flyer recorded a point that night with an assist. After the game, Drysdale explained that he felt good being a part of the Flyers’ power play. He kept the puck in the offensive zone during the extra man advantage, which the Flyers had been struggling with before he came to Philly.
Loud cheers for the newest Flyer, Jamie Drysdale. pic.twitter.com/M3yDgOeue6
— Haley Taylor Simon (@Haleytsimon) January 11, 2024
What’s Next For Drysdale
Drysdale is happy being a part of the Flyers organization. With the final stretch of hockey, Drysdale must continue playing his brand of tough and resilient hockey. He makes a massive difference on the penalty kill unit. With the Flyers still fighting for a playoff spot, it’s clear that Drysdale has been a big reason for their recent success.
History of the Philadelphia Flyers in NHL Outdoor Games
The 2017 NHL Stadium Series: A Golden Anniversary
Heinz Field- Pittsburgh, PA
February 25, 2017
Penguins 4, Flyers 2The Penguins had finally ditched the distractions by 2017 and allowed the superior skill of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to take control of their fierce intrastate rivalry. The defending Stanley Cup champions overmatched the Flyers early in the Mike Sullivan era, especially at Heinz Field in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the two franchises entering the league as part of the NHL expansion wave of 1967.
Sidney Crosby sucked the hope from Philadelphia fans with an early goal, and the Flyers trailed the rest of the game. Any mental edge they might’ve had in the rivalry in past years was completely gone.
2021 NHL Outdoor Games: The Picture-Perfect Moment
Edgewood Tahoe Resort- Stateline, NV
February 21, 2021
Bruins 7, Flyers 3The Covid-19 pandemic slammed the NHL just like it did to everyone else. The 56-game season in 2020-21 wasn’t going to be the most memorable in hockey history no matter how the league handled their business.
One way they tried to compensate for empty arenas was the outdoor doubleheader at Lake Tahoe. The Colorado Avalanche took on the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Bruins and the Flyers faced off for a rematch of the 2010 Winter Classic on Sunday, Feb. 21. If fans weren’t getting the real experience of an outdoor game, at least they’d see some excellent photographs of a beautiful scene.
The Flyers barely had enough skaters to compete, and a postponement might’ve been a better decision. They were no match for a talented Bruins attack. David Pastrnak scored a hat trick in a 7-3 laugher that wasn’t as close as the score indicated. Carter Hart allowed six goals on 23 shots as one of the first blunders in what turned out to be a miserable season for him and for the Flyers.
2024 NHL Stadium Series: A "Rocky" Effort
MetLife Stadium- East Rutherford, NJ
February 17, 2024
Devils 6, Flyers 3When the NHL announced the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium, it looked like the Devils would enter as heavy favorites. An early-season surge from the Flyers thickened the plot against a team that failed to live up to the standard of their breakout season in 2022-23.
John Tortorella and the Flyers stunned the NHL with an excellent effort in 2023-24. They had a great opportunity to reignite a rivalry that became one of the game’s best in the 1990s and 2000s. However, they fell to the Devils 6-3 with a loose defensive effort.
Nico Hischier scored his first of two NHL Stadium Series goals 32 seconds after the opening faceoff. The Flyers trailed the rest of the night and fell to 1-4-1 in outdoor games. The Rangers and the Islanders played a classic the following day at the Meadowlands.
