Garnet Hathaway's arrival in Philadelphia bolstered the team's depth and added tenacity to their play. Known for his gritty style, Hathaway is seen as a role model for younger players by coach John Tortorella, with his unwavering intensity evident in his actions on the ice.
Hathaway, formerly with the Boston Bruins, earned his reputation as a physical forward. During preseason training, he left a strong impression by delivering a thunderous open-ice hit on rookie Carter Sotheran, a classic initiation into NHL training camp.