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Flyers Sign Samuel Ersson To Entry-Level Contract

By Jacob Modugno

VICTORIA , BC - JANUARY 2: Goaltender Samuel Ersson #30 of Sweden makes a blocker save against Switzerland during a quarter-final game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 2, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) "n"n"n"n
VICTORIA , BC - JANUARY 2: Goaltender Samuel Ersson #30 of Sweden makes a blocker save against Switzerland during a quarter-final game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 2, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) "n"n"n"n /
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On Thursday afternoon, the Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Samuel Ersson to a three-year, entry-level contract, according to Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher. Ersson was a fifth-round selection of the Flyers in the 2018 NHL Draft, and has spent the last three seasons playing in his native Sweden.

Ersson is coming off of a busy season for Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League, as he appeared in 42 of their 52 games and recorded a 15-25-2 record along with a .910 save percentage, 2.95 goals against average, and three shutouts. Brynäs IF finished 13th out of 14 teams in the SHL standings, but Ersson played well despite his team’s poor performance.

Ersson did post a 4-1 record along with a .949 SV% and 1.30 GAA in the SHL’s relegation round to help save Brynäs IF from being sent down to HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier league.

In his draft eligible season in 2017-18, Ersson played for Brynäs IF J20, one of the parent club’s junior teams. The Falun, Sweden native went 27-13 in 40 games coupled with a .920 SV%, 2.53 GAA, and one shutout. He was selected 143rd overall by Philadelphia in the fifth round of the draft after his outstanding season.

Ersson’s 2018-19 season saw him spend the year with Västerås IK of HockeyAllsvenskan as he wasn’t quite ready for the SHL just yet. He utterly dominated in his time with the club, recording a 27-9 record in 36 games along with a .933 SV%, 1.95 GAA, and five shutouts.

He also got the opportunity to represent Sweden at the national level as well. He was named the starting goaltender for Team Sweden at the 2019 World Junior Championships, the most prestigious international junior hockey tournament in the world. Ersson appeared in four games for the Juniorkronorna, going 3-1-0 with a .922 SV% and 2.23 GAA. Sweden fell in an upset to Switzerland in the quarterfinals to ultimately finish fifth in the tournament.

Ersson also served as the third goalie for Team Sweden at this year’s IIHF Men’s World Championships, donning the Tre Kronor behind tournament starter Adam Reideborn and former NHL goalie Viktor Fasth.

In the team’s press release on Ersson’s signing, Flyers vice president and assistant general manager Brent Flahr stated the following:

"“We’re excited to get Samuel under contract with the Flyers. He’s steadily progressed since his draft year and has had success in junior, the SHL and at the International level. We look forward to watching his continued development as he makes the transition to North America.”"

Ersson will start next season in the minors, whether it be in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms or in the ECHL with the Reading Royals. The Flyers are in the market for a seasoned backup goaltender for Carter Hart at the NHL level, and Felix Sandström and Kirill Ustimenko will be competing for playing time with the Phantoms next season.

Philadelphia still has a decision to make on whether or not they want to re-sign longtime Phantoms goalie Alex Lyon as well.

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