Photo Credit: Sudbury Wolves
It’s never too early to start talking about the NHL Draft, and there will be many questions facing this young orange and black team come late June. Some questions range from are they going to move up or back? Are the Flyers drafting for positional needs in the system, such as Right-Handed Defenseman, Centers, or Left Wingers? These are some very valid questions that people have.
In year’s past the Flyers relied heavily on Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr, and Chuck Fletcher for overall success during the draft. In actuality, Fletcher appears to have done well with drafting. Gone are those days, as this year the Flyers new General Manager Daniel Briere will have his first draft with the orange and black with having this said title. With that being said, a Right Winger/Center in Alex Pharand is a really solid skater given his size of 6’3, and he might catch the eye of Briere in the third to sixth rounds. As stated Pharand stands at 6’1 weighing 201 pounds, and he reminds me of Scott Hartnell with scoring a lot of goals in tight spaces. Central Scouting has since slotted Pharand at no. 77 among North American skaters in their rankings and he is ranked NO. 85 by the Hockey News, “It was awesome,” Pharand stated to me in an interview on playing in front of his hometown fans in Sudbury for the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. “I never take the game for granted. It means a lot to play, I love the game.”
Pharand spoke to me from the combine in Buffalo, and he was elated to be there. He said the most important thing for him, asides from showing his skills, was the interview process. Pharand wanted to take this time to get better at interviewing to prepare him for the NHL Draft, “I do believe that’s a big part of the draft process. You’re trying to get them to know you as a person. Having a good interview is important.”
The 18-year-old in Pharand was born on January, 5, 2005, in Sudbury, ON, CAN. This native of Canada found a passion and a love for the sport of hockey at a very young age, and as a matter of fact I’m sure he started skating when he was just two-three years old. His passion for the game found himself playing for the Sudbury Wolves after being traded from the Peterborough Petes on January 10, 2022. He torched the league en route to a career season (18g,21a in 67 games played). This young man in Pharand has not only done well with the offensive side of the puck, but defensively, as well, “My mom always keeps me motivated. My dad played hockey growing up. He gave me all the opportunities for me. I’m hard on myself to do better, but I’m pretty comfortable skating,” said Pharand.
As shown below in this video, not only can score and transition up the ice well, but Pharand has a knack to stick up for his teammates. He doesn’t take the game for granted, not for one second.
This 18-year old, young prospect knew the importance of just having fun, and letting the game come to him this past season. Moreover, he worked very hard in the off-season, and was able to improve his game tremendously for the 2022-23 season. Pharand is physical when need be, and he transitions like the breeze of the wind. Moreover, Pharand’s bread and butter is his lethal wrist shot. He smiled and laughed when I said he reminded me of a former Flyer in Hartnell, to which he has a great shot that is highly accurate. He has a good hockey IQ and has great vision of the ice, “Ilya Kovalchuk,” Pharand said of who he idolizes in the sport of hockey and why he wore number 17 previously. “He’s the reason I wore #17, he was so good.”
This young prospect from Canada really opened some eyes, and showcased his skills as he’s on the cusp of fulfilling his dream of getting drafted into the NHL. It shows just how good Pharand really can be. His effort, and dedication for the sport of hockey really sets himself apart from other prospects. Maybe he will compare being drafted into the NHL, like the day he was drafted by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL.
Who knows, the draft is unpredictable, but Pharand I’m sure will have the eyes of Danny Briere and other Flyers scouts as the draft wears on. Pharand would bring size and a scoring finesse the Flyers could use immediately.
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