Former Flyers General Manger Ron Hextall has appeared to strike gold yet again, this time in the form of two defensive prospects, both of which were discovered in the late rounds of the NHL Draft- a place where few General Mangers find pay dirt. Although, Hextall is no longer working for the Flyers organization the team is still reaping the rewards from the fruit of his labor. This time in the form of a 2017 seventh round pick, Canadian-born defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk, and 2018 fifth round pick US-born defenseman Wyatte Wylie.
Kalynuk, the now 22-year-old left-hand shot, is in his Junior season, and the current Captain of the University of Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Since being drafted he has now grown to 6’1,” and 181 pounds, a feat that allowed Kalynuk to accrue 4 goals, and 10 assists (for 14 points so far this year), and set him on a 0.78 points per game pace. This point per game pace should allow Kalynuk to surpass his 2018-2019 stats of 9 goals, 16 assists- totaling 25 points.
Kalynuk was excited for the opportunity to lead this year’s star-studded Badgers team against some unyielding competition. One might say that playing in the Big 10 Conference is no easy task, with having to play powerhouse hockey programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Minnesota on a nightly basis there are no easy wins; not to mention when the Badgers are not playing conference games, they are playing against teams like Arizona State, and Boston College. With a schedule like this, the Metropolitan Division doesn’t seem so bad!
Taking what Kalynuk has learned at Flyers Rookie Camp’s, with the hopes of improving his game, Kalynuk has focused on his play in his own end this season. This is a tool that should improve his overall game, and it should go along nicely with his phenomenal skating ability. Kalynuk also has spectacular on-ice vision, which he uses to control the pace of the game.
As for Wyatte Wylie, the now 20-year-old defenseman is currently playing in his fourth season in the WHL for his hometown team the Everett Silvertips. So far this year, Wylie has tallied 8 goals, and 19 assists for a total of 27 points in 31 games played. That’s good for a 0.86 point-per-game average. Wylie is also a plus 12 on the season. At this rate, Wylie should surpass his numbers from the 2018-2019 season, where he amassed 11 goals, 36 assists, for 47 points in 67 games played. The same season where Wylie was an impressive plus 33 on the year…a stat that should put a smile on the face of former teammate Carter Hart.
Wylie is a versatile defenseman who can play on the right or left side. Everett commonly uses him on both the power play and penalty kill. Seemingly always in
position, this physical two-way defenseman often uses his size and strength to win board battles, along with moving the trash (other team) out from in front of the net. Concentrating on his skating ability is the only thing this young jack-of-all-trades needs to do to elevate his game to the next level. Surprisingly, Wylie has still yet to be offered an ELC from the Flyers. However, with his play this year, Chuck Fletcher should be calling soon.
Although, their paths to get here may have been different, rest assured these two gifted defensemen in Kalynuk and Wylie should find themselves playing next season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, on the recently depleted blueline- A team that has seen the likes Phillipe Myers, Travis Sanheim, Robert Hagg, and Samuel Morin all get called up to the NHL.
Don’t feel too bad for the Phantoms though. They could see the likes of other Flyer blue line prospects joining them in Lehigh Valley soon enough, with the likes of Yegor Zamula, and Cam York just to name a few. Regardless of when these prospects enter the Professional level of competition, the Flyers should be bursting with talent on the blueline with those in place already, and with those that are still to come!
Photo was taken by Jamey Baskow at Developmental Camp
Why isn’t Wylie signed to an ELC yet. Chuck Fletcher has waited long enough to sign this outstanding prospect I’ve watched him at the development camp the last two summers and he is a solid kid on the blue line. C’mon Chuck, get the pen out and a contract ready and sign Wyatt Wylie.
Darn right Gregg. Couldn’t agree more with your observation. Thanks for the read, and support for Lance