Number 53 in your programs, number one in your hearts, and number 18 on NHL Network’s list of the Top 20 Defensemen in the National Hockey League.
Shayne Gostisbehere exploded onto the scene last season with the Philadelphia Flyers after being called up in mid-November and made a name for himself league-wide with his offensive skillset and record-shattering rookie season. While 65 games may be a small sample size to gauge how the rest of Gostisbehere’s career will go, it was enough for NHL Network’s panel to rank him as the 18th best defenseman in the league right now.
18. Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers
Gostisbehere, 23, had a huge impact on the Flyers after being recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Nov. 14. The Calder Trophy finalist finished fifth among rookies in points (46), second in power-play points (22) and tied for second in game-winning goals (five), and was tied for second among all players with four overtime goals. He also set a League record for rookie defensemen with a point in 15 straight games. Gostisbehere finished fifth on the Flyers in scoring despite playing 64 games, and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
Gostisbehere captured the hearts and drove the passion of Philadelphia, and his impact has since been recognized by many from outside of the city.
The 23-year-old will compete for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey this fall, and his player t-shirt is now available. I’ve got mine on the way, what’re you waiting for?
Here’s NHL Network’s Top 20 list:
1. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
2. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
3. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
4. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
5. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
6. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
7. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
8. P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators
9. Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens
10. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes
11. Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
12. Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets
13. Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
14. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars
15. Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
16. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues
17. Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers
18. Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers
19. John Carlson, Washington Capitals
20. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks
Sons of Penn Radio (August 10th)
On this episode of SOP Radio, we discuss the state of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the team’s roster and several other prospects in the Flyers’ system with Highland Park Hockey’s Tony Androckitis.
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