Injured Allison “only knows one way to play”

The Philadelphia Flyers already have to worry about injuries, as winger Wade Allison left Sunday’s rookie game against the New York Rangers with an apparent right leg injury.

The 23-year-old impressed during a 14-game stint in the NHL at the end of the 2020-21 season. He played a physical style and crashed the crease hard for a Flyers team that was fading from playoff contention.

Allison and Flyers fans will get along well. He dropped the gloves on Saturday to defend a teammate against Rangers prospect Matthew Rempe, who is listed at 6-foot-8, 240 pounds.

He was expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp. A timetable for his return has not been announced yet, but the injury drastically drops his chances of playing against the Vancouver Canucks on opening night on October 15.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, he “suffered a slew of injuries” during his NCAA hockey career at Western Michigan University. He also battled through an ankle injury last season.

Ian Laparierre, head coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, spoke about Allison’s injury after the rookie game, saying:

"“He played the way you should be playing…He played his style, played physical, that’s probably why he got hurt.”"

The Flyers could certainly use a player who brings that type of intensity to the game. Laparierre’s later statement that Allison “only knows one way to play” makes this injury even more unfortunate. A player who gives 100% in a rookie game knows not to take anything for granted.

The Flyers are entering camp coming off a monumental letdown last season, and Allison’s attitude reflects the proper level of motivation needed to rebound from that disappointment. The fact that his desire to get involved in physical play landed him on the sidelines magnifies the misfortune of the injury.

The 2021-22 team will need to approach the season with determination for a rebound. Hopefully, they’ll have Allison back on the ice soon enough.