Photo Credit: Elizabeth Robertson/Philadelphia Inquirer
Alex Bump, yes Alex Bump. Flyers fans get used to hearing his name, as this was a great pick in the fifth round of the Draft in 2022. After being awarded the player of the year by the Minnesota Associated Press in 2022, Bump made quite the impression in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers with netting 11 goals and registering six assists in 27 games played in 2021-22.
“He came on the scene this year. He’s one, if not probably the top player in Minnesota high school this year. He started in the USHL and came back. He had a big, big year in high school and finished strong when he went back to the USHL. We’re all excited about him. Obviously, he’s going back to play another year of junior and then off to Vermont. I think he’ll have a big role right away.” – Assistant General Manager, Brent Flahr said of Bump after the draft
Bump plays for Western Michigan University where Wade Allison, Keith Jones, and Ronnie Attard used to play. He was granted this late change given that Head Coach Todd Woodcroft was dismissed as the coach of Vermont Hockey last Summer, “Ronnie Attard reached out when I wss down to my final three. Ronnie knew Western was part of it,” Bump told me this past February.
Another Flyers Developmental Camp is in the books and Bump really stood out, especially during the 5-on-5 scrimmage. He was just strong on the puck, making plays like he usually does, while he wheels and deals for a goal or a nice pass. One of Bump’s strong suits is he is strong on the puck, “I’d say everything, nothing can be too good,” “My skating can always get better, but anything can always get better. I think I’m confident with the puck, and what I can do with the puck. Making plays is one I’m really good at.”
One thing that can be noted is that The Flyers top brass appears to be high on Bump, “Guy like (Alex) Bump for me. Every year he’s been here, you see it’s a dramatic improvement. He looks like an NHL player for me going forward,” Brent Flahr said of Bump at the conclusion of Developmental Camp. This obviously has to make him feel more confident, as he personally started off slow, but has made one heck of an impression since, playing with much tougher competition in the NCAA. He stands at 6’0 and weighs 194 pounds, and Bump plays with a physical edge to his game. Bump continued his solid play for the Broncos last season while amassing 14 goals and 22 assists in 38 games played. He averaged nearly a point per game.
It took a few games for him to get his bearings, but Bump really put together a solid season, “It is gonna be a young team moving forward,” Bump said. “I’m just sticking to my game and be confident in myself. I’ll make the lineup when I’m ready (Flyers). Obviously, I’m not ready this year, but when I’m ready I’ll for sure come and try to make that team.”
Maybe there’s an ELC in the future for a bump at the conclusion of the 2024-25. If so, Bump told me this in February to Flyers fans, “Be ready for what I can do. I’m underestimated for my age and size. I feel like I’m only going to get better. Philly is a good spot for me.”
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