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 July. 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 or a goal scorer? These are some very valid questions that people have.
Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher has put together two solid drafts as he now spear heads an organization that is littered with positional needs. With that being said, there’s a flashy, lightning rod Center/Winger that might catch the eye of Fletcher in the third-fourth rounds of the draft, and that is no other than a play making machine in Ryan St. Louis. Yes, some are familiar with NHL Hall of Famer in Martin St. Louis, well this is his son. St. Louis stands at 5’10” and weighs 168 pounds, and has all the skills to be a Flyer, “I’m aware of everything he’s done with his career (In regards to his dad),” St. Louis said to me a few weeks ago. “It doesn’t add more pressure, just play the way I know how to play and just do my game.”
“Early in the Summer I just focus on what you think you need to work on. With the Covid restrictions (Last year) I just worked on my shot. As the Summer progressed we got on the ice more and just worked on my speed and agility.” – Ryan St. Louis said to Jamey Baskow
This 17-year old, young prospect knew the importance of just having fun, and letting the game come to him. Moreover, he worked very hard in the off-season, and was able to improve his game tremendously for what turned out to be a weird 2020-21 season to say the least, “Obviously it was a different year,” St. Louis said. “Not much more stressful or impactful on my draft year.” St. Louis is a speedster that can forecheck with the best of them, and steal pucks. Moreover, St. Louis doesn’t sit around puck watching, he scores in bunches when he gets confident, and St. Louis has great vision of the ice, “My dad got me into the game. Just being around his teammates and all it just drew my love for the game. My mom doesn’t know much about hockey, but she’s always supportive. My dad took me under his wing and grew my love for the game.” said St. Louis.
St. Louis has committed to Northeastern University in the Fall. It’s a great hockey school, and he couldn’t be more thrilled, “It’s an honor to play for Northeastern,” St. Louis said. “Just focus on my game day by day. I’m working on getting bigger and stronger. You have to be ready to shut it down defensively to fight for another day. My hockey sense is one of my biggest strengths. I use that to better the team.”
The USNTDP product, St. Louis 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 blazing speed. He knows he has to work on decision making, but what St. Louis possesses is a high hockey IQ, to pair with his elite passing abilities, “I try to keep an open mind and play my role,” St. Louis said after telling me he loves Auston Matthews. He finishes the interview with a great quote for his parents:
“Sometimes my dad or mom would be at the games. They have done so much for me. My mom just having her around the house. I owe so much to them for everything they did for me and my two younger brothers.”– Ryan St. Louis
Hopefully, St. Louis continues to mold himself into a fine hockey hockey player. His unselfish attitude cannot be taught, as St. Louis appears to have a good head on his shoulders. He is slated to get selected within rounds three-four, however, this draft in particular is unpredictable due to Covid (Some league’s were shutdown for periods of time). With how loaded the Flyers farm system is right now, this would be the best time for the orange and black to select a speedster that has a natural scoring ability.
