The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Emil Andrae to a three-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2023-24 season, according to a team release Monday.
The Flyers did not announce the financial specifics of the contract. However, they did note that Andrae is on an amateur tryout with their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, for the remainder of the season. There, Andrae has recorded two assists in two games, building on what’s been a successful 2022-23 campaign for the young defender.
Andrae, 21, who hails from Västervik, Sweden, played tough minutes for HV71 in the SHL this season, back in Sweden’s top league after a one-year demotion to the second-tier Allsvenskan. In 51 games, Andrae recorded six goals, 20 assists, and a -3 rating, sitting tied for fourth in scoring on the team.
Drafted 54th overall in 2020, Andrae stood out at the 2022 World Junior Championship, captaining Team Sweden and recording four goals and eight points in seven games en route to a bronze medal and an All-Star Team nod. The main knock against Andrae is his smaller stature, standing at 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, but he plays with the confidence and strength of a bulkier player.
He has the playing mentality that Flyers head coach John Tortorella is known to appreciate and reward. Although he likely requires a bit more development time before he’s ready for a full-time NHL role, Andrae could be one of the key blueliners on next year’s Phantoms team. The possibility remains that Andrae could be loaned back to HV71 next season if he doesn’t make the NHL squad, especially considering he has one season remaining on his contract there. The transfer agreement between the two leagues allows the Flyers to buy Andrae out of his contract in Sweden.