Photo Credit: Gophersports.com
The Flyers were on a manhunt in search of help for their once struggling offense. Former Flyer’s General Manager Ron Hextall drafted some of these picks in the latter rounds with the likes of Oskar Lindblom, Tanner Laczynski, Noah Cates, Olle Lycksell 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 to me in an interview a few years ago.
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. This season he has netted 13 goals, and has registered 15 assists in 32 games played.
A young 22-year-old in Brodzinski also accumulated 19 goals and 12 assists in a very tough NCAA League for the Golden Gophers in his Senior season. He obviously elected to use his fifth year of eligibility due to the Covid season in 2020-21, all with the hopes of producing enough to earn an ELC (Entry-Level-Contract).
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 (29-years-old)– he has played with the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and now he is a member of the New York Rangers.
Michael Brodzinski (27-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 for the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL, and he now plays for the Jacksonville Icemen in the ECHL.
After watching film on Brodzinski from this past season at Minnesota, he has looked pretty confident, good with his hands, and appeared to be faster than I have previously seen him in years past. Not only has Brodzinski exceled this past season, the Gophers have, as well, led by Brodzinski and Jimmy Snuggerud. They should very well be part of the Frozen Four that begins next month (March).
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.”
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