Wade Allison leaves game injured
The 2021-22 National Hockey League season hasn’t even started yet and the Philadelphia Flyers are already waiting with bated breath regarding the health of one of their young prospects. Wade Allison was forced to leave a rookie game early on Sunday as a result of an apparent leg injury. During the second period, he got tangled up along the boards in a rather awkward play with Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers organization.
There were no immediate updates following the game regarding Allison’s health, after the right winger was unable to return for the third period. Considering it was a rookie game though, the team would not have taken any chances by putting Allison back on the ice. The Flyers ultimately lost the game to New York 3-2, but the bigger concern will be Allison’s leg.
“I’m sure he’s going to take it hard. No matter what, if it’s a week or two weeks or a month or two months, you put all that work in in the summer, he came in, he looked great all week, he looked great [Saturday],” Flyers American Hockey League affiliate Lehigh Valley head coach Ian Laperriere said, via NBC Sports.
“He played the way he should be playing in a rookie game. He only knows one way to play. I really feel bad for him. Unfortunately it’s part of the game, injuries are part of the game, especially when you play that style of hockey. I don’t know what the injury is and hopefully it’s going to be a quick one.”
Both the club and the player will be bitterly disappointed if the injury is a serious one, as the 24-year-old looks poised for a potential breakout year in Philadelphia. He featured in 14 NHL games last season after making his debut in April, scoring four goals and providing three assists for a total of seven points. He provides the team with a physical presence every time he is on the ice and is not afraid to stand up for his teammates or make the big hit.
“He played NHL games last year. He could have taken it easy, just float out there but he didn’t,” Laperriere continued. “He played his style, he played physical. It’s probably why he got hurt but I really do feel for a kid like that.”
Teammates echoed many of the same sentiments as Laperriere, just hoping they can see Allison back on the ice sooner rather than later.
“He’s a good buddy of mine,” Tanner Laczynski commented following the game, via NBC Sports. “To see him hobble off the ice, to know all of his previous injuries and stuff, I know what he’s feeling, I know it sucks. Taking him off the ice, just trying to keep it positive, letting him know this isn’t the end obviously. He’s a great player, he’s going to come back from it, he always has. He’s a big-time guy and he’s positive about it, so it’s good to see.”
It remains to be seen just how long Allison will be sidelined for, but the team will likely take a cautious approach with the youngster. The Flyers kick off the NHL season on October 15th at home against the Vancouver Canucks.
