Photo Credit: The Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Rookie Camp it’s slated to open Wednesday September 20, 2023, and the On-Ice portion will be starting on September 21, 2023. It’s always a fun time to get a glimpse of some rookies that may crack the Lehigh Valley Phantoms lineup in the future, or some who are on the cusp of earning Entry-Level-Contracts (ELC’s). Whatever the case may be here are some rookies to keep an eye on at the 2023 Flyers Rookie Camp.
Ethan Samson
A 6’3, 183 pound, Right-Handed Defenseman was selected by the Flyers on a bright sunny day in Philadelphia on July 23, 2021 in Ethan Samson. He recalls the day well, and for Ethan he will remember this day for the rest of his life, “Getting drafted is something that you dream about as a kid,” Samson said to Jamey Baskow. “Both of my parents have done a lot for me, especially in my hockey career, while taking me to practices and everything. Both have equally sacrificed, so it was a good day.”
For his efforts, Samson really turnt some heads in the WHL for the Prince George Cougars. Samson, 20-years-old, has relished a leadership role with this club, and it has fueled his career with the Cougars. It’s not just about goals and assists, it’s about playing well defensively and he’s done that by being physical, with good gap control, while getting bigger and stronger in the process. For his efforts, Samson netted 36 goals and tallied 86 assists in 211 games played with the Cougars.
He’s a quarterback on the power play unit, and he just has a knack for being in the right position. Hopefully, Samson raises enough eyebrows at Rookie Camp and then Training Camp to make the jump to the AHL and play with the Phantoms. In the event he does not, Samson can be loaned back to the Cougars for another season.
Jon Randall-Avon
J.R. Avon is a player who likely would not have been available for the Flyers as an undrafted free agent if the 2020-21 season wasn’t cancelled due to Covid. He has good speed, agility, sense, and puck skills. J.R. Avon was ranked 200 amongst North American skaters heading into the 2021 draft without playing the 2020-21 season. He quickly became a top threat for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL, and has amassed 62 goals and 77 assists for a total of 139 points in 173 games played.
It appears he is headed for the Phantoms, but J.R. Avon has the looks of being a solid middle sixer for the Flyers. He is a good skater that can turn on the jets as he so chooses. J.R. Avon is a pesky player, as well, as a good back checker. To top it all off he is a good board battler that wins puck battles along the walls. J.R. Avon’s has one heck of a release. the most improvement to J.R. Avon’s game is he has become a good 200ft player. This will be an integral part to the overall success of said player.
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J.R. Avon’s speed sets him apart from most in the OHL. He has great energy and a compete level that would work well in the AHL for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in his first professional season. What he has succeeded at this season is his play without the puck, winning those necessary battles to move the play up ice. Just imagine how J.R. Avon will look at Rookie Camp in a few days after coming off a great season for the Petes.
Oliver Bonk
Oliver Bonk, a Right-Handed defenseman was still on the board in the first round with the Flyers on the clock to pick and they selected him with the 22nd overall pick. Moments before this selection the Flyers selected a prospect Matvei Michkov with superstar/generational potential. The selection of Bonk has received mixed reactions from the Flyers proud faithful, where some project Bonk as a project, however in the same token, other fans project Bonk as a top four defenseman.
The Flyers finally have drafted a solid skating defenseman. They needed a solid skating defenseman, and this was one way to do it. There were weeks of speculation over who the Flyers would take with the 22nd pick, in particular. It was either going to be him, Mikhail Gulyayev, Gabe Perreault, or Riley Heidt. Moreover, the Flyers faithful started hearing the possibility of the orange and black trading the pick to move up in the draft. This led to a ton of trade speculation, with rumors swirling left and right. We can finally put that all to rest now, obviously, as we don a new era of Flyers hockey.
Bonk is an solid skater, like most prospects he can improve upon this area, but he has a great pair of hands. If one area of his game was going to hold him back from being an effective NHL’er, it would definitely be his skating. He stands at 6’2, weighs 176 pounds. Bonk is a very confident and skilled puck handler, who effectively transitions the puck out of his zone and into his opponent’s zone. He is an able bodied playmaker who excels at finding and creating passing lanes, mainly due to his edge work. Bonk plays a physical game, as he shuts down his opponents by taking the body, and board battling.
This young 18-year-old defenseman in Bonk has had quite a few weeks since being drafted into the Flyers organization. From throwing out the first pitch at a Phillies game, to having a good Developmental Camp. Bonk really had an impressive camp, as he should have. He skated well, and honestly was physical. Maybe not as physical as Emil Andrae, but still. Bonk did not look out of place.
Bonk did ink an ELC with the Flyers a few weeks ago, however, more than likely he will head back to the London Knights this season. However, he is part of the Flyers 45 man roster as training camp nears in a little over a week. Bonk will remain a rookie to watch, as anything could happen.
I thought the rookie camp started this week, and not the 20th and 21st, as stated above.