Flyers Prospects Weekly: The undrafted and the collegiates

In sports, nothing warms our hearts more than a good underdog story. The idea of someone defying the odds and achieving their life’s goal gets even the coldest of hearts cheering them on. In hockey, there is no more significant underdog than an undrafted free agent. Just the idea of not getting the call through a complete seven rounds and then still finding a way to play a lengthy NHL career seems so unlikely that one cannot help but get excited at the prospect of it happening.

In terms of Flyers prospects, the organization and fanbase are familiar with the potential feel-good story of an undrafted free agent. First, there was Phil Myers. Yes, that one did not turn out quite as we planned. Still, we have shifted our focus to Yegor Zamula, another promising young defenseman who might very well turn into a constant fixture on Philadelphia’s blueline. Now, when you thought there could not be another potential underdog storyline in our midst, the Flyers possess yet another undrafted free agent—this time at forward.

In a typical year, Jon-Randall Avon might have heard his name called during the NHL Entry Draft. Some even claim he might have gone in the late-first or early-second round. Unfortunately for the 2021 NHL Draft call, the season leading up to the most significant weekend in their young careers was far from typical. As a member of the OHL’s Peterborough Petes, J.R. Avon did not receive an opportunity to showcase his skill. Whether or not you buy the whole “likely a late-first-rounder” narrative or not, Avon ended up witnessing seven rounds without getting selected by an NHL franchise.

Eventually, Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers decided to take a chance and sign Avon to an ELC, bringing the undrafted Avon into the fold of an already deep prospect pool. Of course, in true Flyers fashion, Avon recorded three points in his first two games this season, firing up the premature hype train we all know and love.

Now, does Avon flash a skillset that could eventually make him a valuable asset at the professional level? He sure does. That speed and ability to create separate just from the power of his skates could give the Flyers something they’ve been missing in their prospect ranks.  Is it still way too early to demonstrate any level of excitement? That is also a yes.

Please remember that a lot can happen in an entire hockey season. What at first appears to be lighting in a bottle could turn out to be just a shaken-up bottle of Sprite, leaving the kitchen floor sticky and wet. Whether we want to recognize it or not, something left the Peterborough centerman undrafted. I find it hard to believe that a likely first-or second-round talent would slide through the draft without getting selected even if he did not play the season prior.

For now, let us take Avon’s progression a game at a time without riding the hype train off a cliff. Even some of the most dominant OHL players struggle to make it at the professional level. See Morgan Frost as an example.

Okay, onto prospects elsewhere.

Flyers Prospects Weekly: Volume Two

Collegiate Kickoff

College hockey is finally underway. Generally, for Flyers prospects in the NCAA, it was a solid opening weekend.

Of course, the player that stood out the most was Denver junior Bobby Brink. After a disappointing sophomore campaign, Brink has a lot riding on a successful season this time around. In truth, the 2019 second-round selection could not have asked for a better first two contests. In a weekend series against Arizona State, Brink recorded a four-point outing on Friday and scored another goal Saturday. Already, he has five points, and the Pioneers are 2-0 to start the year.

Former seventh-rounder Bryce Brodzinski is also off to a hot start, scoring three goals in Minnesota’s first two victories. He added an assist to his name Friday, giving him four points on the year. Of course, Brodzinski may not have a future with the Flyers organization unless he can light the NCAA on fire. Still, it’s safe to say he’s off to a strong start.

Ronnie Attard, Noah Cates, and Jack St. Ivany all recorded one point for their respective teams over the opening weekend as well. More than St. Ivany, Attard, and Cates will be interesting players to keep track of as the season progresses. Cates is primed to be an ELC-candidate after this season. With Attard, I remain skeptical about his NHL upside, but it’s hard to ignore the offensive success he’s experiencing at Western Michigan.

In the Dub

Although I mentioned him last week, it is hard not to talk about Winnipeg’s Connor McClennon. After a relatively quiet Thursday posting just one assist, McClennon came out Sunday and scored a hat-trick. The Winnipeg Ice are off to an unreal start to the year, and his seven points in four games is a big reason.

In a much more quiet fashion, 2021 sixth-round pick Ethan Samson is off to a solid start to the year as well. Through three games, the defenseman has one goal and two assists for the winless Prince George Cougars.

Meanwhile in Europe

Emil Andrae has finally fired up the offensive production. Though his season was already off to a great start, the young defenseman was missing the numbers to compliment his play. Now, with six points in five games, that no longer seems to be an issue. Outside of the KHL netminders, Andrae is the most exciting Flyers prospect across the pond. I do not give it long until he gets bumped up to the SHL.