Dieppe's Philippe Myers makes his NHL debut with Flyers
Philippe Myers of Dieppe can now say he's undefeated in the National Hockey League.
Myers played his first game with the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, coming away with the win over the Detroit Red Wings.
"Obviously it was a dream come true," said Myers.
"I was a little nervous before the game there but once I got a couple shifts in I think I settled in," he said. "I think it went well for me for the most part so I'm happy the first one is out of the way."
The 22-year-old defenceman helped get his team the win when he was able to keep the puck deep in the offensive zone, which led to the Flyer's game-winning goal. He was also able to get a shot on goal.
Myers parents were there for the experience.
"They were really happy for me, and they were really happy they were there," said Myers.
And fans were watching from New Brunswick.
Nic Jansen, executive director of Hockey New Brunswick, said this could be the first of many.
"It's outstanding to see a player from New Brunswick go through, make it to the NHL, and he's got a lot of potential," said Jansen.
"We're excited to continue watching him play in the next 10 to 15 years."
Undrafted
Myers went undrafted in 2015, which made him question the possibility of playing in the NHL.
"I said to myself you know what I'm just going to work harder, give it everything I've got and see where it goes."
Later that month, Myers got closer to his goal.
He signed a contract with the Flyers, and started playing for the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Myers got the call-up to play with the Flyers earlier in the month, and got his first ice time on Sunday. Nic Jansen believes Myers will have a positive impact in the Philadelphia locker room.
"If you talk to past coaches, if you talk to players, everyone has positive things to say about Philippe," said Jansen.
"He's always a positive around his teammates, so everything that's always spoken about Philippe is always spoken very highly."
Before playing for the Phantoms. he played for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL, and in 2017 he helped the Canadian world juniors team win a silver medal.
Myers will get a chance to be back on the ice on Tuesday when the Flyers play the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's hoping he will be able to cement his role on the team, and be an NHL defencemen for years to come.
"I want to be a regular in the NHL, I don't want to be just a call-up," said Myers.
