Carter Hart Leaves Flyers; Sam Ersson Now No. 1 Goalie

Carter Hart has left the Philadelphia Flyers for an unknown amount of time, general manager Danny Briere announced before his team lost to visiting Tampa Bay, 6-3, on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old goalie “has requested and been granted an indefinite leave of absence citing personal reasons,” Briere said in a statement. “The club will have no further comment at this time.”

Sam Ersson has become the Flyers’ No. 1 goalie, and Cal Petersen was recalled form the Phantoms to be the backup.

“Sam’s playing well. I’m totally confident in Sam,” coach John Tortorella said after Tuesday’s loss, which included two empty-net goals from the Lightning.

Earlier this year, Hart missed time with a back injury and food poisoning.

It is unknown whether Hart’s decision is connected to the 2022 lawsuit filed against Hockey Canada’s 2018 members. There were allegations that some members of that team sexually assaulted a young woman.

The NHL has been investigating the allegations for 20 months.

Hart was on that 2018 team.

In 2022, attorney Scott Fenton, representing Hart, told the Toronto Star, that the goalie did not engage in any wrongdoing, and that he was among the players who cooperated with the London (Ontario) Police Service investigation and was “cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Hart has struggled recently. Overall, he has a 2.80 GAA and .906 save percentage. Ersson, 24, has played better. Entering Tuesday, the rookie had a 2.36 GAA and .909 save percentage, and he had been very good in shootouts.

In another move, the Flyers put right winger Owen Tippett on injured reserve. Tippett’s loss is huge; he was No. 2 on the Philadelphia Flyers with 18 goals.

Breakaways

Morgan Frost (two assists), and Cam Atkinson (goal, assist) each had two points for the Flyers. … Winger Joel Farabee, who has a career-high, seven-game point streak, has 40 points in 48 games; last season, he had 39 points in 82 games. … Seeler blocked seven shots. … Atkinson has a six-game point streak, during which he has five goals and five assists. … Flyers, losers of three straight, play in Detroit on Thursday. … Briere will address the media Wednesday on a variety of topics.

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