Philadelphia Flyers brass on the draft floor during the 2024 NHL Draft (Photo: NHL PR)
1st Round, 13th Overall: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm
The Flyers began the 2024 NHL Draft aggressively by trading down a selection with the Minnesota Wild to acquire a 2025 third-round pick and the 13th overall pick, using it to select 17-year-old Jett Luchanko from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He is known for his incredible speed on the ice.
His floor and how well he performed at the NHL Combine is extremely impressive and promising considering how young he is. Once he gets older he will be able to expand and get even stronger.
Despite playing for the struggling Guelph Storm in the OHL, he had an outstanding season, scoring 20 goals and tallying 54 assists for 74 points in 68 games. Although he may not have been considered a typical top-15 pick, his exceptional skating ability and strong work ethic make him a very promising prospect.
Luchanko is a fast and skilled two-way center with a lot of potential. He is expected to complement Matvei Michkov well and contribute to the team’s success if he can fulfill his potential.
2nd Round, 51st Overall: Jack Berglund, C/LW, Färjestad BK J20
Jack Berglund, 18, is a highly promising two-way player in the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, he is not afraid to battle for puck position or create space. Berglund has an aggressive edge, reminiscent of Wayne Simmonds, and excels at locking down the front of the net, which is crucial for special teams.
While Berglund may not have a game-changing factor, he demonstrates great composure and effectiveness in every aspect of his play. He possesses excellent awareness and positioning in all three zones, showing a strong work ethic and a well-rounded 200-foot game. His purposeful and intense play style helps him excel at doing the little things right.
Berglund achieved 15 goals and 19 assists for the Färjestad BK J20 team in 41 games played. He seems to be a good fit for what the Flyers are aiming to build and has the potential to become a top-notch player similar to John Tortorella’s style.
2nd Round, 59th Overall: Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski Océanic
The Flyers’ front office is clear about their desire for young, up-and-coming players, and they have placed a lot of emphasis on the U18 World Juniors Championship. Four of the Flyers’ top picks had an impressive showing in the tournament, which boosted their draft prospects. One of these players is 17-year-old defenseman Spencer Gill. Although he may not have scored heavily, his dynamism and confidence on the back end have caught the attention of scouts.
Gill recorded 12 goals and 46 points in 65 games for the Oceanic last season, which was tied for the team lead in points scored by a defenseman. At just 17 years old, Gill shows a lot of promise. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 185 pounds, he is expected to grow even more as he matures.
He shows impressive poise, a high hockey IQ, and agility for his size, displaying great speed and mobility both with and without the puck. Gill excels at finding open lanes, taking advantage of the opposition during transitions, and pushing defenders back when entering the offensive zone. He has a strong ability to read plays and possesses NHL-level vision, knowing when to join offensive plays to keep the puck in play and when to focus on defense without being overly aggressive.
4th Round, 107 Overall: Heikki Ruohonen, C, Dubuque Fighting Saints
Heikki Ruohonen, 17, has been selected as the first overall pick in the 2024 USHL Draft and will join the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He is a talented power center known for his impressive performance in both the domestic season and on the international stage for Finland. During his time with the U20 SM-sarja, he scored 20 goals, made 27 assists, and accumulated 47 points in 37 games. Scouts had the opportunity to observe his skills during the WJC-18, where he achieved 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games.
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 196 pounds, he possesses a muscular build and strong skating ability, complemented by physicality on both offense and defense, as well as a keen awareness of the three zones. Because of his size, awareness, and playing style, Ruohonen is a potential future NHL player in some capacity.
His offensive skill set has shown significant improvement over the year. While he was not widely recognized by many clubs initially, he has emerged as a promising prospect with the potential to become a third-line center, with the floor of a top-six player and a strong chance of reaching his full potential in the National Hockey League (NHL).
5th Round, 148th Overall: Noah Powell, RW, Ohio State Univ.
Noah Powell, 19, was a re-entry into the draft this year out of the USHL after a much better season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Not only did he lead his team in goals but he led the entire league in scoring with 43 goals and 74 points in 61 games.
Powell is a big power forward at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, he compliments his body well. He plays with grit and plays a heavy game down low in the corners or front of the net. Not only does he have a well-rounded shot, he gets around the net and scores goals in a multitude of different ways.
The biggest knock for Powell is his skating ability, which seems to be one of the only drawbacks when considering his game. He has a knack for scoring highlight-reel goals and being a creative artist with the puck.
6th Round, 173rd Overall: Ilya Pautov, RW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
Ilya Pautov, 18 years old, made a name for himself in the MHL in Russia towards the end of the year due to significant improvements in all aspects of his game. He is a skilled player with good hands and creativity, but his skating mechanics, particularly for a smaller player, need work. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 13 goals and notched 45 points in 46 games for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva.
Despite being 5-foot-11 and 168 pounds, Pautov is a dynamic winger with excellent hands and impressive vision. He may not be an exceptionally fast forward, but he moves fluidly and deliberately. He constantly maneuvers and uses his body to evade opponents. His puck-handling skills are advanced, enabling him to sneak by multiple defenders.
7th Round, 205th Overall: Austin Moline, D, Brooks Bandits
In their final selection in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Flyers chose 18-year-old Austin Moline from the Brooks Bandits of the BCHL. On paper, there may not seem to be much to get excited about, but his 6-foot-4, 194-pound frame is a significant asset. He effectively uses his size to put pressure on opposing players and force mistakes.
Moline is not hesitant to contribute to the offensive side of the game. He consistently joins the attack or provides support as a trailer. Despite his size, he is a mobile skater with dependable edge work. He takes pride in his passing ability, which allowed him to tally 27 assists and 35 points this past season.
