Get To Know New Flyers Prospect Massimo Rizzo

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired the rights to forward Massimo Rizzo and a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft on Wednesday.

The long awaited acquisition of Massimo Rizzo was finally completed on Wednesday afternoon as the Flyers sent the rights to forward David Kase to the Carolina Hurricanes for Rizzo and a 5th round pick.

Since Being Drafted

A seventh round pick of the Hurricanes back in summer of 2019, Rizzo would play his fourth season in the BCHL for Coquitlam before beginning his NCAA career with the University of Denver. Then 20 years old, the Burnaby, British Columbia native would record a stellar 36 points in 39 games. Good enough for seventh on the team in scoring.

If the 2021-22 University of Denver team rings any bells for you, it may be because Flyers 2019 second round pick, Bobby Brink, led the team in scoring that season with 57 points.

Even with teammates like Brink and Carter Savoie moving on, Rizzo found success with UD last year as he lead the team in points and upped his own point total by eight. Recording a career high 46 points.

What To Expect

Rizzo has quick hands and loves to create with the puck. His line mate Carter Mazur was the beneficiary of Rizzo’s playmaking this past season as Mazur recorded a career high 22 goals last year for UD. Although drafted in the seventh round, Rizzo has some upside and now with an organization like the Flyers, who can afford to wait, Rizzo may have time to develop further.

What’s His Future?

Let’s be honest, the shallowest position in the Flyers organization is the center position. Flyers GM Danny Briere seemed keen on acquiring Rizzo. I can’t help but think the UD connection with Brink maybe had something to do with this.

My guess would be that Rizzo plays out his junior season with University of Denver and contributes with the Phantoms towards the end of the season.

To the average fan, this may be a “nothing pickup”, but make no mistake, the Flyers may have just acquired a diamond in the rough.

JIM IACOVONE IS A PROUD FLYERS MEDIA MEMBER AND FOUNDER OF HW HOCKEY
PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
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