Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Alex Bump, yes Alex Bump. Flyers fans get used to hearing his name, as this was a great pick in the fifth round of the Draft in 2022. After being awarded the player of the year by the Minnesota Associated Press in 2022, Bump made quite the impression in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers with netting 11 goals and registering six assists in 27 games played in 2021-22.
“He came on the scene this year. He’s one, if not probably the top player in Minnesota high school this year. He started in the USHL and came back. He had a big, big year in high school and finished strong when he went back to the USHL. We’re all excited about him. Obviously, he’s going back to play another year of junior and then off to Vermont. I think he’ll have a big role right away.” – Vice President & Assistant General Manager, Brent Flahr.
After starting the year out playing for Prior Lake High School, Bump made one heck of an impression playing in much tougher competition in the USHL. He stands at 6’0 and weighs 194 pounds, and Bump plays with a physical edge to his game. Bump continued his solid play for the Lancers this past Fall while amassing nine goals and 17 assists in 32 games played. He was traded to the Tri-City Storm at the USA Hockey Trade and Drop Deadline on February 7, 2023.
It took a few games for him to get his bearings following being traded to the Tri-City Storm, this sort of came as a surprise to Bump with how successful he was for the Lancers, as he averaged nearly a point per game. However, he has found his groove while amassing two goals and eight assists for a total of 10 points in 11 games played since being traded to the Storm.
He will attend the University of Vermont in 2023-24 to which he’s looking forward to it, “Great coaching staff,” Bump said. “The unbelievable campus. The campus is beautiful over there in Burlington. I’m really excited about that.”
Bump continued that he models his game after Filip Forsberg, “Filip Forsberg. His puck skills are incredible. He’s got the puck on a string. I try to model that after him.”
If Bump turns into Forsberg, then he can become the steal of the draft. He’s a solid skater for his size, as he has quick feet and his agility thanks off the charts. Bump is exceptional along the boards, and he is great at digging pucks out of the corner. That is really the strength of his game.
“My shot. My hands. My puck skills,” Bump said about his overall strengths to his game. “It’s a great organization and I’m just ready to get going with them,” Bump said of the Flyers
Hopefully, Bump continues to grow his game, en route to the Flyers in the future. He’s about three-four years away from competing for a spot with the big club, so the Flyers can be patient with his development.
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Alexis Gendron
Gendron has put forth quite the year for this young 19-year-old prospect. He netted a combined 55 goals, and 26 assists for two clubs in the QMJHL: Blainville-Boisbrand and the Gatineau Olympiques.
He has continued that success for the Olympiques in the playoffs, as he netted a hat trick last night against the Sea Dogs in a 6-0 route. Gendron now has eight goals in four games played in the playoffs so far.
This young 19-year-old prospect in Gendron possesses one heck of a shot. He has a quick, but strong release for his wrist shot. I think that fools a lot of netminders and the “Q”. Let’s see how he develops, there is no reason to rush his development. Former Flyer Claude Giroux also played for the Olympiques, and his jersey is hung in the rafters.
