The puzzling scratchings of Flyers’ Jett Luchanko

Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder

The Flyers first round selection of Jett Luchanko “The Speedster” is exactly what the doctor ordered. One can watch tape after tape on him. Other teams had their eyes set on Luchanko, as well, and the main reason is his speed. That part of the game cannot be taught, you either have speed or don’t, “One man Power Play break in,”Oliver Bonk said of Jett Luchanko when Developmental Camp opened. “That’s what we called him in London because they would just sling it back to him, one-against-four, and he would skate it every time. He’s a special player.”

Bonk is very familiar with playing against Luchanko in the OHL. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be selected by the Flyers. Unbelievable feeling,” said Jett Luchanko. “I’m excited to be a Flyer and glad to be a part of this historic franchise.”

Luchanko turned 18 on August 21, 2024. He stands at 5’11 and weighs in at 187 pounds. This is somewhat of a raw build for a pro hockey player and gives him a bit of room should he want to add strength next Summer. Luchanko, is a native of London, ON, CAN, and really made a name for himself at training camp. Not only was he excellent at the skating drills, he’s ramping things up physicality wise. He is proving he can handle himself against men.

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Somehow Luchanko has found himself out of the lineup for the past two games, and it’s pretty puzzling. The Flyers PR Team has stated that he is healthy, while the National Broadcast mentioned on air that Luchanko will be sent back to the Guelph Storm in the OHL. There has been no formal announcement of such, and Luchanko is still on the active roster.

Now what Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella has said is that Luchanko wouldn’t be held out of the lineup to prolong his stay with the big club, before his nine game tryout concludes. A little bit of transparency wouldn’t hurt, so all this speculation ends.

Luchanko says he wants to further developing his shot. He has elite speed, now couple that with a good shot and he becomes that much harder to play against, “It’s definitely something that I want to work on and get better at.” Luchanko said at Developmental Camp. “For me, it’s just trying to work on the total package.”

Now more on the player in Luchanko. The Flyers ended up coming away with the guy they wanted all along, per Danny Briere. Luchanko was one guy the Flyers wanted, and had eyes for as Briere noted to our very own Vasili Gianarakos after the first round was complete. They loved his shot, hands, size, and more importantly his skating abilities.

Luchanko has a high motor, and can turn the jets on when he wants to. He has a high-end hockey IQ, which cannot be taught. His vision of the ice is impeccable. “Jett’s a player we are really excited about. A centerman who brings speed, very smart and very detailed at both ends of the rink. As he gets stronger, he’s going to be more and more dynamic. We’re really excited about his potential,” said Brent Flahr, Vice President and Assistant General Manager following the draft.

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Flahr continues, “He can play in every situation, whether it’s in Guelph or Team Canada. He’s a leader. Coaches rave about him on both teams. We just think it’s the tip of the iceberg with him. He’s a player that we highly coveted.”

What will happen with Ouchanko is anyone’s guess, byt the Flyers have to make a decision here. He is too good of a prospect and player to be sitting in the press box, especially for two games. Luchanko needs to stay, and the orange and black are doing a disservice with benching him and not playing him.