Philadelphia Flyers Development Camp got underway this week without three promising prospects appearing on the ice. Jett Luchanko, Denver Barkey, and Oliver Bonk are all attending camp but have not been part of the on ice sessions. This seems to be due to an abundance of caution and common sense.
Barkey and Bonk were banged up and playing through injuries during their championship OHL playoff run. Luchanko is listed as day to day with a goin issue. The term “maintenance” is being used, fact of the matter is, these guys are better off healing than pushing themselves at this point. They’re not here to get noticed or to prove themselves, they’ve all already crossed that threshold.
Jett Luchanko
This 18 year old center was drafted by the Flyers in the 1st round, 13th overall in 2024. Luchanko has already appeared in four NHL games with the Flyers at the beginning of last season. At just 17 years of age he was being shifted against Connor McDavid and did not look at all out of place.
Jett played last season with the Guelph Storm where he recorded 21 goals and 35 assists for 56 points in 46 games played. At the end of their season he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms leading up to their Calder Cup playoff run where he notched 6 assists over the course of 7 post season games.
Luchanko is wise beyond his years and has eyes in the back of his head. Every time it looks as if he is running out of time and space he finds an option and gets the puck there directly. He works well in tight spaces, has tons of speed, and a great set of hands.
Barring any surprises Jett seems to have a very good chance of making the big club out of training camp this year. There’s absolutely no reason for him to push through an injury no matter how minor at this juncture. His big challenge will come in September.
Denver Barkey
Denver Barkey is coming off of an eventful season where as captain of the OHL London Knights he led his team to the Memorial Cup Championship. During the regular season Barkey recorded 25 goals and 57 assists for 82 points over 50 games. He notched 20 points over 10 games during the playoffs with 9 goals and 11 assists.
Barkey was the type of captain who understood the value of leading by example, he played through a high ankle sprain to help push his team to success in the finals. He says “it was really special to win it all with that team”. A storybook ending to his junior hockey career, with a huge transition right around the corner.
Denver was drafted by the Flyers in the 3rd round at #95 overall in 2023. Currently he is training to add strength and speed as he prepares to make the jump to the next level. As he says, “using my brain, finding a way to adjust” for the professional game. He says his “ankle has been feeling really good, made a lot of progress”.
Again, it makes no sense to keep pushing that ankle right now. The Flyers know exactly who Barkey is and what he is capable of. Get healthy, get strong, get ready for the Fall. That is exactly what he is doing. He says he gets “antsy” watching the rest of the team skate. …But at least he has company.
Oliver Bonk
Bonk was Barkey’s teammate on that championship London Knights team. He’s also dinged up from that successful playoff run. The 20 year old defenseman recorded 11 goals and 29 assist totaling 40 points over 52 regular season games last season. During the playoffs Bonk added 2 goals and 12 assists for 14 points over 17 games.
Oliver is the son of former NHLer Radek Bonk. The 6′-2″ defenseman was drafted by the Flyers 22nd overall in 2023. He is known as a “reliable defender who rarely makes noticeable mistakes”. Bonk and Barkey are great friends and have been spending their “antsy” time together at this year’s development camp.
See you in the Fall
It is totally understandable. Nobody with hockey in their heart wants to sit in a rink with their skates in a bag. But for now these players need to keep their focus set on the big picture. All eyes will be on them come September and they need be ready for it.
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