Exit Interview: How did Shayne Gostisbehere handle adversity in up-and-down season?

Shayne Gostisbehere had a rollercoaster of a season with the Philadelphia Flyers. He started the season on the COVID list, moved from the top pair to a healthy scratch multiple times, and even cleared waivers. But he feels like he’s back and he’s confident after battling through adversity.

The Flyers missed the playoffs and closed out their season earlier than expected this year. They finished the season with a win on Monday, May 10th, then held their end-of-season media availability on Tuesday.

Alain Vigneault and Chuck Fletcher both spoke about the big picture and larger issues plaguing this Flyers team. After that, the players took to the podium for their exit interviews.

This week, we’ll be going through those exit interviews (alphabetically) with full transcripts and quotes. We’ll dig into any interesting tidbits at the end.

Shayne Gostisbehere Exit Interview

This has obviously been kind of a difficult season. Does that tax on you a little bit when you have to deal with that much adversity and you think that could honestly kind of help you moving forward when you have to find a way to overcome these things?

Yeah, for sure. I had a lot of adversity this season – COVID, getting suspended, healthy scratch, all that stuff. But I think every time I came back, I answered the bell, and I came back with vengeance. And I responded really well and positively for our team. So, I think that just shows on a personal level for myself, dealing with adversity is not a problem. And you’re gonna have to do that to build your character as a human being. And, just worry about the things you can control. And that’s what I did. I just played hockey.

Have the trade rumors and upcoming expansion draft weighed on your mind?

Yeah, for sure. It obviously weighs on you. It’s your life. I’ve been living here for almost seven years now. Just the thought of going somewhere else, it’s definitely weird. But I think the positive I’m taking from this season is I feel like I’m back in a sense that I’m making plays, again, I got my confidence, and wherever I end up if I do go somewhere, it is what it is. And I got to do, what I just said before, is, what’s in my control, and that’s playing hockey.

How did you feel from a health standpoint?

It was a good test. Just from the schedule of everything and coming back from some two knee surgeries last season. I definitely felt good. The schedule is definitely taxing at times. But it was a good test to show that I could still play in this league and that my body can still hold up.

How do you work past being a healthy scratch?

You never want to be a healthy scratch, but you can’t be negative about it. You don’t know how many games it’s going to be for could be one, it could be three, could be five, who knows. But you’ve got to control we can control. That’s been my motto the whole time, I can’t control what they’re going to do. I can only control what I can do. And that’s getting, if I get that opportunity to get back out there, is to play my best and contribute positively to this team. And I felt like I did that every time I came back in the lineup from a healthy scratch, COVID or suspension, I felt like I helped this team win games. And I think that’s the positive I’m taking from this season.

Is the expansion draft on your mind at all? And are you hoping to stay here?

Yeah, for sure. Obviously, I want to stay here. I’ve built a nice life here with my fiance and obviously I want to be here but, it’s a business. It is what it is. The expansion draft is gonna happen. If you get picked, you’re wanted and you could definitely take positives from that. But,it definitely weighs on your mind to answer your question. But I think just as a in general, you’ve just got to go and put your best foot forward, go into the summer and do what you can do to control.

Is your wedding this summer?

Yeah, I’m really excited for that. I’m getting married in August. Been together for seven years. So I’m really excited for that.

Shayne Gostisbehere has been one of the more candid players with the media this season. Gostisbehere went a bit further than some others during the season and continued that here.

Gostisbehere dealt with a lot this season and his reaction to it was very positive. He bounced back from a healthy scratch and being waived.

Gostisbehere is one of several players that may have played his last game with the Flyers. The expansion draft is an option, as is him being moved in a trade to shake up the defense.

It was good to see Gostisbehere healthy after his injuries in recent years. He played well when he was in his proper role. He’ll have his defensive lapses, but he’ll score goals and make plays at the other end of the ice as well.

Transcript via Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Exit Interviews

Nicolas Aube-Kubel toeing the line in Flyers’ bottom-six

Justin Braun and the Flyers couldn’t fill the hole on defense

Has Sean Couturier thought about a future with the Flyers?

Has Brian Elliott played his last game with the Flyers?