Tuomaala’s journey over the past year has been a rollercoaster. The Finland-born winger started the season strong, even earning a spot in the AHL All-Star game while playing for Lehigh Valley. However, his performance dipped significantly in the latter half of the season, registering just eight points (three goals, five assists) in his final 27 games after amassing 35 points in the first 42 games. His season ended abruptly due to an injury on April 13.

Reflecting on his season in May, Tuomaala acknowledged the struggles he faced, admitting, “I started pretty good, and then I had some hard times when I didn’t score. I started feeling pressure and thinking negative thoughts.” He candidly spoke about his tendency to be hard on himself and the need to manage the inevitable ups and downs of a young player’s career.

Notably, Tuomaala’s progress in the past year is significant. He communicated with The Philadelphia Inquirer without a translator, a stark contrast from the previous year, and mentioned working with a mental skills coach for the past four years. This is a considerable step for the 21-year-old who almost quit hockey two years ago.

A Struggle to Find His Place

Drafted by the Flyers in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Tuomaala began the 2021-22 season with Lehigh Valley but returned to Finland after just two games. His return home marked the beginning of a difficult period. Despite representing Finland at various junior levels, Tuomaala was left off the 2022 World Juniors squad. His struggles continued as he bounced between Finnish teams Vaasan Sport and Jukurit, failing to secure a consistent spot in the lineup. The constant instability took a toll on his confidence and development.

Former Flyers forward Sami Kapanen, now a player development coach and European scout, has worked with Tuomaala since 2022. Kapanen had concerns about Tuomaala’s fit with Vaasan Sport, where the coach emphasized a defensive style that clashed with Tuomaala’s offensive mindset. Despite a transfer to Jukurit, Tuomaala struggled to find his place, further hampering his development.

The following season proved even more challenging as Tuomaala found himself playing for Jukurit’s U20 squad, a level he had outgrown at 19. The demotion was mentally tough, but Tuomaala eventually regained his form after joining Ketterä, a team in Finland’s second-tier league, Mestis. There, he thrived, scoring 46 points in 29 regular-season games and adding 19 points in the playoffs.

Kapanen and the Flyers had a hand in placing Tuomaala in Ketterä, where the coaching staff could better support his development. Under their guidance, Tuomaala improved his defensive game while rediscovering his offensive confidence.

A Future with the Flyers?

Tuomaala is known for putting immense pressure on himself, and he recognizes the impact it has had on his confidence and motivation. However, he feels that the past year and a half have been a turning point. “I stopped stressing about hockey and started focusing on just trying my best and letting the chips fall as they may,” Tuomaala shared.

His progress has not gone unnoticed. Flyers coach Ian Laperrière praised Tuomaala’s work ethic and likable personality, noting that he might not have been the most obvious pick for the Flyers, but his potential is undeniable. Facing adversity early in his career and emerging stronger has impressed Flyers GM Danny Brière, who now believes Tuomaala is better equipped to handle challenges both on and off the ice.

After completing his first full professional season in Lehigh Valley, Tuomaala has shown glimpses of the skills that could make him a valuable asset to the Flyers. However, his path to the NHL is not without obstacles. The right-wing position is crowded, with Travis Konecny, Garnet Hathaway, Bobby Brink, and Russian phenom Matvei Michkov all vying for spots. Despite this, Tuomaala remains determined to push for a spot at training camp in September.

“My only goal is to play for the Flyers someday, so I’m focused on taking the right steps in that direction,” Tuomaala said.

As he continues to develop, the Flyers are optimistic that Tuomaala’s offensive prowess will eventually translate to success at the NHL level.