Many family members, friends and supporters of Tye McGinn watched with anticipation on Tuesday night, as the Fergus native made his National Hockey League debut with the Philadelphia Flyers.
McGinn, 22, was drafted by the Flyers in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2010 NHL draft. He played the entire 2011-12 season and 33 games this season for the team’s American Hockey League team, the Adirondack Phantoms.
On Tuesday night with the Flyers he received 12 minutes of ice time on a line with Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. Schenn, who played a lot with McGinn in the AHL, called the left winger “a tough kid” who is “willing to do what it takes to win.”
McGinn, known by many for his soft hands and physical play, is the second McGinn brother to play in the NHL (older brother Jamie plays for the Colorado Avalanche) – and younger brother Brock was drafted last year by the Carolina Hurricanes.
McGinn told the Philadelphia Daily News that upon receiving the News of his call up, one of the first phone calls he made, other than to his parents in Fergus, was to his older brother Jamie.
“It was probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” McGinn said. “I was probably even happier to tell him, because he’s already been through it all. We talk everyday. Just to be able to tell him was pretty special.”
The Flyers’ next three games are Jan. 24, 26 and 27.
