Andrae logged six points in 10 games with the Phantoms to close out the 2022-23 season.
After making the Philadelphia Flyers' 23-man roster out of training camp, 21-year-old defenseman Emil Andrae is headed to Lehigh Valley, the Flyers announced Thursday.
The Flyers called up Louie Belpedio to replace Andrae on the active roster.
Andrae struggled in his four games of NHL action to start the season. While he did show encouraging flashes from time to time, the 2020 second-round pick averaged just 13 minutes of ice time per game and failed to register a point. It was clear he needed additional seasoning in Lehigh Valley, where he posted six points in 10 games at the end of the 2022-23 season.
"It's too much for him right now. The speed of it, how quick you have to make decisions, I think the size of the rink," Flyers head coach Tortorella told the media Thursday morning. "Instead of playing him eight, 10, 11 minutes, he'll play 20-plus down there. So important as far as developing players. Especially at that position — defense."
Belpedio, meanwhile, has logged one point in five games with the Phantoms to start the season. In June, the 27-year-old signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million to remain with the club through the 2024-25 season. He is expected to suit up for Thursday night's tilt against the Minnesota Wild — his former team.
"I just try to bring my best every day, whether it's to the rink, to the gym," Belpedio told the media after Thursday's practice. "I definitely put the work in. I spent pretty much the entire summer here, so it's nice to see that pay off."