Bailey's Fast Start With Phantoms Earns Him The Call
Justin Bailey made a good first impression with new Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher.

Bailey's Fast Start With Phantoms Earns Him The Call

Tony Androckitis

Tony Androckitis

— 2 min read

ALLENTOWN, PA -- Justin Bailey was only with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for 22 days, playing 10 games for his new team after being acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade last month, but his smooth transition to a new organization and the excitement of a fresh start with a new path the NHL allowed him to hit the ground running.

"I think from top to bottom, the coaching staff and my teammates have helped me make the transition pretty smooth," Bailey told Inside AHL Hockey after the Phantoms' 2-1 loss to Hartford Saturday night. "When you're happy coming to the rink, and gelling with the guys -- the environment is really good here and I think that carries out onto the ice."

Bailey entered Saturday's game with goals in four of his last five games, including two goals in the Phantoms' first game back from the All-Star break - a 7-5 win in Bridgeport. After posting seven points (five goals, two assists) in his first 10 games with the Phantoms, Bailey found out after Saturday night's game that Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher - who spoke highly of Bailey in a press conference with media earlier that day - had made the decision to call him up to the NHL club.

"For me, it's just playing my game. I want to continue to play with speed, and play with pace. Hopefully, good things will happen," Bailey said, when asked about hearing praise from the Flyers' GM. "It's nice to hear those things. At the same time, I just want to work on bringing my game consistently night in and night out."

While he won't make his Flyers debut on Monday against Pittsburgh, Bailey is hoping to make this call up his last.

"I think I put together a couple good games since I came over here. I was doing everything I could to earn my way up. I'm looking forward to the opportunity," Bailey told media after the Flyers' practice in Voorhees Sunday morning. "It's been a long time since I've been up [in the NHL]. For me, I've been thinking about it, dreaming about it and making sure that hopefully that was the last time I get sent down."

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