We all know his backstory — a former AHL playoff MVP, he came over to Philadelphia in the trade that sent Luke Schenn and Vincent Lecavalier to Los Angeles. It may have well been a throw in, and for a year and a half it looked like Weal would toil away in the Lehigh Valley before hitting free agency this summer, ultimately leaving for a team that would give him a real NHL chance.
But he wound up getting that real NHL chance with the Flyers this past season, earning the call up in mid-February and shining in 23 games.