Flyers’ Prospect Bryce Brodzinski has been placed on the map after his good season in the NCAA this past season “A couple more summers of training, and hopefully I will be at that level”

Photo Credit: Gophersports.com

The Philadelphia Flyers were on a manhunt in search of help for their once struggling offense. Former Flyer’s General Manager Ron Hextall slowly went under the radar with drafting very well in the latter rounds of the draft. It just so happens some of these picks are Oskar Lindblom, Tanner Laczynski, Noah Cates, Olle Lycksell, Wyatte Wylie, Samuel Ersson, and Ivan Fedotov to name a few. Hextall was onto another good player in the latter part of the draft in Bryce Brodzinski, who ultimately was drafted by Chuck Fletcher in the 7th round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Hextall scouted Brodzinski when he was in high school, “Hextall used to come to my games and watch me play,” Brodzinski said last year.

Brodzinski was born August 9, 2000, in Blaine, MN. Following the draft Brodzinski chose to stay close to home at the University of Minnesota. After completing his first season with the Golden Gophers Men’s Ice Hockey team, Brodzinski amassed seven goals, and five assists for a total of 12 points in 37 games played. These numbers were pretty solid for his freshman season, and his game has grown since.

A young 21-year-old in Brodzinski accumulated 12 goals and 14 assists in a very tough NCAA League for the Golden Gophers in his Junior season, “A ton of our guys are leaving, but we will be good, if not better next year,” Brodzinski said to me in an interview last week. “The coaching staff is excited.” He also said an incumbent player Logan Cooley will be a good player for them next season. Cooley is slated to be selected between the second to fourth picks of this year’s NHL Draft according to most credible mock drafts.

When Brodzinski heard his name get called by the Flyers he instantly became ecstatic. All the hard work and dedication finally paid off, as did his dream of playing in the NHL. Even with his emotions he was proud of his family and the Flyers for taking a shot on him. Brodzinski gives all the credit in the World to his dad, and three older brothers for him getting to where he currently is with his hockey career. Hockey runs through his family, as his older brothers have/currently play for some NHL teams:

Jonny Brodzinski (28-years-old)– he has played with the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and now he is a member of the New York Rangers. Jonny has played in one playoff game for the Rangers this season, and that was a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Michael Brodzinski (26-years-old)- Played for the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), and he currently plays for the Orlando Solar Bears in the ECHL. At times he was loaned to the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL this past season.

Easton Brodzinski (25-years-old)- Played for St. Cloud State University-undrafted. He also played one game for the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL this past season.

“My family in general (Defined him),” Brodzinski said. “My dad was my mentor when I was growing up. My brother also, going to his games I was seeing players develop, it definitely helped.”

“I look forward to him coming home this Summer (While speaking highly of his brother Jonny, whom plays for the Rangers). A couple more summers of training, and hopefully I will be at that level.” – Bryce Brodzinski

After watching film on Brodzinski from this past season at Minnesota, he looked  like a player of the future. He was confident, good with his hands, and appeared to be faster than I have previously seen him in years past. This is exactly the prototype player that the Flyers are in need of right now. Not only did Brodzinski excel this pasts season, the Gophers did too led by Brodzinski. The Gophers fell in the National Championship game to the University of Denver 5-1 at TD Garden.

For his efforts, Brodzinski has been in contact with the Flyers, and figures he will earn an Entry-Level-Contract (ELC) next season. He hopes to have a good season, but he does realize that he needs to continue to work on things to get to the next level, “Skating in general,” Brodzinski said he can improve. “Putting myself in a better position is also something I’m working on.”

“I have been in contact with the Flyers a little bit, and I should be at developmental camp,” says Brodzinski. It is no secret that the Flyers have been restocking the farm system the past few seasons with hidden gems. Eventually, we will see how all this pans out in the coming years. Will all these young prospects work out maybe not, but hopefully some of them will. Add Brodzinski to the list of players to watch for in the future. He has a never say die attitude who never gives up, and that alone will make him a fan favorite here in Philadelphia.

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