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 when the season eventually ends in regards to the draft. 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? These are some very valid questions that people have.
In year’s past the Flyers relied heavily on Head Scout Chris Pryor, and the drafting guru in Ron Hextall for overall success during the draft. Gone are those days, as this year the Flyers new General, General Manager Chuck Fletcher will have his second draft with the orange and black. With that being said, there’s a flashy, lightning rod Center that might catch the eye of Fletcher in the first round, and that is no other than a play making machine in Brendan Brisson. Brisson stands at 5’11” and weighs 179 pounds, and has all the skills to be a Flyer, “I have committed to the University of Michigan,” Brisson said, “It’s great, the coaching staff is good, and they have some pretty good returning players. Just the program itself, they have a lot of leaders, and I’m pretty excited to get started.”
The Cam York effect eventually came out during this interview, with Brisson really giving some good praise about one of the Flyers top prospects, “Cam is a very good player,” Brisson says, “I can’t wait to play with him and get started.” Brisson was born on October, 22, 2001, in Manhattan Beach, CA. This US native found a passion, and a love for the sport of hockey at a very young age of about one and a half. His passion for the game found himself playing for the Chicago Steel for the 2019-20 season, where he torched the USHL (24g, 35a in 45 games played). Brisson was impressive as he managed to showcase his skills at the right time during his draft season, so just who is this young prospect? “I have worked a lot on my power, my first three strides, and obviously skating with getting my shot down, as well.”
The young prospect in Brisson continued, “When you grow up as a kid you envision celebrating like you’ve won the Stanley Cup eventually one day. I just hope to get bigger and stronger. It’s an honor, and I’m trying to follow in my dad’s footsteps.” Those footsteps that Brendan speaks of are of one of the most powerful agents in the sport of hockey in his dad Pat Brisson. Pat represents John Tavares, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Towes just to name a few. His dad Pat also played hockey in the QMJHL. These are some tough shoes to fill, but Brendan has all the tools to do it.
Some Reasons To Draft Brisson
This 18-year old, young prospect knew the importance of just having fun, and letting the game come to him this past season. Moreover, Brendan worked very hard in the off-season, and was able to improve his game tremendously for the 2019-20 season. Brisson is a speedster that has a great first step, has a wicked accurate wrist shot, and is very tough to move off the puck. He isn’t afraid to forecheck, but will need to improve his strides. Brendan realizes this, hence the reason he likes to work on his strides in the offseason. Moreover, Brisson doesn’t sit around puck watching, and he can pick a part of the net with that killer wrist shot he possesses.
This young prospect in Brisson really opened some eyes, and showcased his skills well in the USHL. It shows just how good Brisson really can be. His effort, and dedication for the sport of hockey have led him to the cusp of being drafted into the NHL. Brisson idolizes a pretty darn good hockey player, as well, “A player that really stood out to me was Nathan MacKinnon. We are closer in age, and he stayed at my house for a week when I was 12 or 13. He really took me and my brother under his Wing then.”
The Steel product, Brisson just wants to show people he belongs in the NHL. If one has seen him play these past few seasons, then they would have noticed his silky hands, and good speed. He has a lethal wrist shot, to go with his good vision of the ice. Moreover, Brisson is out to prove that he can do this when given the chance, “Being drafted by the Flyers would be great. I grew up watching them with their passionate fans,” Brisson said, “I love Gritty, I just love him.”
Hopefully, Brisson continues to mold himself into a fine hockey hockey player. His unselfish attitude cannot be taught, and Brisson can pay huge dividends for the Flyers in the future. Especially with his good shot and speed at the Center/Wing position, as he cuts in between defenders. He is slated to get selected in the first round, and if Brisson is still on the board when the Flyers make their first round selection his name could realistically get called by General Manager Chuck Fletcher.
Jamey, you are such a passionate Flyer’s fan, just like I am. I wish I could tell you how excited I was at draft time in 2014 when Ron Hextall went off the board and drafted Travis Sanheim with the Flyers first pick in round one. I was sitting there in the Wells Fargo Center and had Sanheim written down on my list, figuring Hextall would pick some other kid. Well, I almost went crazy when he picked Sanheim. The people around me were like, “Who is Travis Sanheim?” Hextall was just magnificent on draft day and after watching so many horrible Flyer drafts((add last year’s draft to the list), I just could not wait to see what Hextall and Chris Pryor, the main scout, would do next. We will miss Hextall. He is the greatest judge of young talent in the NHL. Sadly, the Flyers will learn to late, just how great Hextall was and how crucial he was in building the Flyers into the team they are today.