Wade Allison made his thesis for the 2022-2023 season very clear:
“I’m not going there to participate. I’m going there to make an impression.”
Wade Allison; 9/6/2022
The high-energy RW is easy to root for, and he’s made an earlier impression. During the 2020-2021 season, Allison tallied seven points (4G, 3A) in fourteen games with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Then, in his 2021-2022 debut, Allison suffered an injury against the Buffalo Sabres. At the time, the Flyers were starving for players to make their return from injury. Allison did, and after 8:16 on the ice, he didn’t return. In a two-on-one, Allison made a late move to finish on Michael Houser, who made the save. Mattias Samuelsson isolated the two-on-one defensively, and Allison slid tight to the post.
Soon after the play, Jim Jackson informed the telecast that Allison had “a lower-body injury and would not return.” Lower-body injuries have hampered his career to date. In 2021, he already recovered twice from an ankle injury. In that 6-3 loss to the Sabres, his campaign ended with an MCL sprain.
The Philadelphia Flyers highlighted Allison in their recent ‘Beyond The Boards’ feature. It highlighted his training and commitment ahead of the 2022 Flyers Training Camp. Allison is prepared to shake off his injuries to come back “bigger, better, and stronger.”
“That’s the mindset I’m going in with. Be the hardest worker there; every day, every ice session, every workout.”
Wade Allison; 9/6/2022
Committing to business
A half a decade ago, Allison moved to Mississagua, Ontario, to train for a few summers. Growing with the community in Mississagua, he calls it home.
Allison skates four days a week, has an optional Friday and a open weekend. During the weekend, you can still find Allison at the rink. On a mission, his move to Mississagua serves a purpose:
“It’s time to work, that’s what I moved here for. If I wanted to just hang out and stuff, I go to Manitoba.”
Wade Allison; 9/6/2022
His commitment is a business approach, putting his best sense forward.
Every morning, Allison gets his competitive workouts in at BTNL Sports. The relationships he established at that facility keeps Allison content with his decision to move to Mississagua. Many prominent players in the NHL have worked out at BTNL Sports. Some noted in the ‘Beyond The Boards’ feature:
- Alexis Lafreniere
- Sean Monahan
- Andrew Mangiapane
- Carter Verhaeghe
- Derick Brassard
- Wayne Simmonds
2022-2023 Flyers
A positive mindset keeps Allison fresh. Many look at his injury history as unfortunate. Not Allison, who cited that word before flipping the script:
“I’m not gonna’ say it’s been unfortunate because everybody suffers with injuries as part of the game. You pick yourself up, you dust yourself off, and you get back out there and do your best again.”
Wade Allison; 9/6/2022
Iron sharpens iron. That is the way Allison sees it. He isn’t setting expectations or goals for 2022-2023. What he will commit to is being the hardest worker. “The rest will take care of itself,” said Allison.
The last time Allison had a great look at the NHL level, Alain Vigneault coached Philadelphia. Now, it is John Tortorella’s team.
“I think I’m really going to enjoy him as a coach. I think we can form a great relationship.”
Wade Allison; 9/6/2022
Allison is the kind of player Tortorella might enjoy in his lineup, and if he makes an impact in training camp, he’ll earn a valuable role with the new regime. Tortorella reached out to Allison, advising him to prepare for a tough training camp. His hard work and dedication will put him in prime position to earn ice time in 2022-2023.
(Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)
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