It can be tough playing for an NHL affiliate team, you could put up some of the biggest numbers and still not receive a call up or you could wake up one day to see yourself released. Nick Cousins received his call up as he skated on to the ice last night in the Flyers 4-1 loss in Vancouver played. Cousins racked up 10:04 and out of the six faceoffs he contested, he won five.
He also had a scoring chance on Eddie Lack during the second period as he tried to flip it over the Vancouver goaltender but unfortunately the puck fit snugly into his glove. The 21 year old adjusted very quickly to the naturally much higher tempo in the NHL and it was like he’d been playing for the Flyers his entire career after the first few shifts came and went. He was quick, very strong on the puck and looked hungry out there. A quality which even some of the regulars had been missing lately.
Cousins was named the AHL Player of the Week after collecting four goals and two assists in just three games. In 61 games for the Phantoms he has an impressive 21 goals and 34 assists, combining for a total of 55 points.
The rookie centerman stood in for new Dad Matt Read, who naturally went home to spend time with his wife. He has been within the organization since 2011 where was the Flyers’ third-round pick as part of the deal that sent Jeff Carter to Columbus. Cousins became the fifth Flyer to make his NHL debut this season, but arguably the most impressive. Under the eyes of his family who flew in from Toronto to see him play his first NHL game, Cousins made a lasting impression. One things for certain, we can expect a lot more from the rookie in the coming years.
