OTD: FEB 15TH 2007 FLYERS ACQUIRE SCOTTIE UPSHALL
ON THIS DAY IN NATIONAL LEAGUE HISTORY (FEB 15TH, 2007) THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS ACQUIRED SCOTTIE UPSHALL ALONG WITH DEFENCEMAN, RYAN PARENT, A 1ST AND A 3RD ROUND PICK FROM THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE LEGEND, PETER FORSBERG. THE FLYERS WERE UNABLE TO COME TO TERMS WITH FORSBERG ON A CONTRACT EXTENTION THEREFORE THEY WOULD DEAL THE future hall of famer to Nashville for the updogg.
UpSHALL, WHO WAS 23 AT THE TIME, haD three points (2G,1A) and 18 MINUTES IN THE SIN BIN FOR THE PREDS in 14 games BEFORE HE WAS SENT TO PHILLY. He missed 22 games FROM November TO FEBRUARY due to a groin strain. In 77 career regular-season games over parts of four NATIONAL LEAGUE seasons (2002-03 through 2006-07), Upshall recorded 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points and 52 penalty minutes. He was ORIGINALLY drafted by the Predators in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. THE 02 DRAFT FIRST ROUND WAS JUICED WITH NATIONAL LEAGUERS, rick nash, jay Bouwmeester, Ryan Whitney, Joffrey Lupul, eric Nystrom, alexander steen and cam ward.
Upshall was immediately labelled a fan favourite in Philly. he was known to flyers fans as a feisty winger aND an energy player that can put the puck in the back of the net. he moved around the ice with speed and always finished his hits. in 134 regular-season games with Philly, the updogg posted 27 goals and 37 assists for 64 points. he also put up 145 pims. DURING THE FLYERS 07/08 PLAYOFF RUN, THAT SAW THE FLYERS MAKE IT TO THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, UPSHALL PLAYED IN 17 GAMES POSTING 7 POINTS (3G, 4A) WHICH INCLUDED A GWG AGAINST THE MONTREAL CANADIENS AT THE BELL CENTRE.
THE MOVE TO PHILADELPHIA WOULD UNITE THE UPDOGG WITH FRIEND OF THE POD, JOFFREY LUPUL, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF THE FLYERS FACTION, THE “LEGION OF POON” LINE WITH CENTERS AND FLYERS LEGENDS, MIKE RICHARDS AND JEFF CARTER. ALSO WHILE SPENDING NATIONAL LEAGUE TIME WITH THE FLYERS, THE UPDOGG WOULD CROSS PATHS WITH AND BECOME GREAT FRIENDS WITH NORTH-EAST PHILLY NATIVE, LARRY FLOWERS, TOP PODCAST GUEST AND THE TRUSTED JEWELLER TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.
