Photo Credit: Frankie Steskal
The Flyers have five prospects that play hockey in the CHL, and most are off to great starts to the season. Some Flyers prospects wear letters on their sweaters, as well, as Flyers’ General Manager added leadership to the locker room this past offseason. Here is a breakdown of how each Flyers prospect has performed thus far in the CHL.
Elliot “The Destroyer” Desnoyers (Captain)
A young man by the name of Elliot “The Destroyer” Desnoyers hails from St-Hyacinthe, QC, CAN, which is located outside of Montreal. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher traded picks 202 and 209 to the Nashville Predators to move up to select a sharpshooter in Desnoyers with the 135th pick of the 2020 NHL Draft. Desnoyers is a versatile player as he is mainly used as a Center with the Halifax Mooseheads, but he can play left wing, as well. He suited up for his first pre-season game with the Flyers, and he did not look out of place. He looked like a veteran:
“It was awesome. I’m still on the way back to how I’ve been playing. I’ve been working with an injury all summer. I feel like I was doing really good and I’ve felt more and more confident as things were going.” – Elliot Desnoyers
For his efforts, Desnoyers was named Captain of the Mooseheads earlier this season, and he has not disappointed. Desnoyers must have been motivated from this honor, as he netted one goal and registered four assists for a five point night earlier this season. Moreover, Desnoyers had another five point night this past weekend netting a hat trick, and two assists. He has skated well, and continues to be a force to reckoned with in the CHL. Desnoyers makes crisp tape to tape passes, and pounces on loose pucks for goals, as well. It really shows his on-ice awareness that have caught the eyes of the Flyers top brass in Chuck Fletcher and Alain Vigneault. For his efforts, he has tallied six goals and registered seven assists in six games played this season.
Jon Randall-Avon
The Flyers inked a versatile forward, and one that can play both center and wing to a three year entry-level-contract in Jon Randall-Avon. Randall-Avon was on a tryout with the Flyers through developmental camp and rookie camp alike. Randall-Avon is one heck of a skater, and he makes edge cuts with the best of them. He plays for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL, and he has started the season rather well.
Randall-Avon put forth a good rookie camp, as he stated, “My goal is to sign a contract with the Flyers out of camp.”
This young 18-year-old in Randall-Avon tallied four goals, and registered seven assists in 56 games played in 2019-20 for the Petes, before the season was halted due to the Coronavirus. He did manage to suit up for Team Canada in the WHC-17 tournament, to which he did not register a point in sux games played.
He really is just cracking the ceiling now. Randall-Avon stands at 5’11 and weighs 174 pounds. He is a good board battled, as well, but his acceleration is what sets him apart from a lot of prospects. You can never count out this young man on a play, as he rarely gets beat the other way due his excellent skating abilities.
it is rare to be a good skater given his age. Usually most prospects can improve upon this area, but Randall-Avon is already there with his skating abilities. Now he just needs to put on more muscle, and use his talent to his advantage. Randall-Avon usually sees the ice well, and is a good two-way player. He’s off to a good start this year with the Petes tallying three goals and three assists in seven games played.
Ethan Samson
Samson was a sixth round selection and he is a right-handed defenseman. He was drafted 174th overall, and he is a solid puck moving Defenseman.
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“Ethan Samson is the big right-shot defenseman, 6’2” and a mobile guy. He’s going to have to fill out to get stronger as well. Mark Greig was high on the guy, we targeted late and got him. Obviously former Flyer coached him, Jason Smith, and we had the inside scoop on him. He moves the puck, also defends, and has some jam.” – Brent Flahr Flyers AGM
Like most prospects Samson has to work on his skating. He likes to take risks, and Samson is learning to play an effective two-way game.
This young 17-year-old is becoming a solid two-way defenseman, has good puck skills, and uses his size well to protect the puck. He closes gaps well which is a bonus, but he needs to work on playing the body more as well. Samson has started the season strong for the Prince George Cougars in the WHL. He has netted one goal, and registered three assists for four points in seven games played. One thing he has become better at is taking the body, and he does not shy away from contact. Samson can hit, that was on full display earlier in the season.
“Couple things that come to mind right away is that he’s got good size. He’s close to 6’2” and his frame’s going to still fill out as he’s an August birthday. He’s got some room to develop. Right-hand shot and for a D-man it’s always an asset as we find them harder to find. I think he’s got a lot of development left. He’s going to play on a good team in PG and for a good coach. He’s got upside.” – Flyers Scout Mark Greig
Brian Zanetti
Zanetti was selected in the fourth round by the Flyers, and he is a smooth skating left-handed shot defenseman. He is a native of Switzerland, and he will play in the OHL for the Peterborough Petes this coming season.
This young 18-year-old defenseman would have played for the Petes last season, however, the OHL canceled their season. Zanetti was fortunate enough to go back to Switzerland and play for the Lugano U20 team. He showed his range, and capabilities as he tallied nine goals, and registered 20 assists for a total of 29 points in 41 games played.
“Zanetti is a Swiss-born defenseman. Played at the Under-18s and plays overseas. He’s actually coming over to Peterborough in the Ontario Hockey League this year to play which will be great for development. He’s a tall lanky kid. Needs time to fill out and get stronger. Mobile, long, can defend and move the puck. He’s a really interesting kid. He’s got some rawness to him, but a kid that against the top competition in the world in the end, stood out on his team there. A guy that will certainly help along here to develop.”– Brent Flahr
Zanetti needs time to develop. Like most prospects he has to get bigger and stronger, he’s a bit lanky. He reminds me of the build of Mason Millman when he was first drafted by the Flyers. However, Zanetti likes to join the rush, and is a smooth skating defenseman.
Brian is a solid two-way defenceman, has good puck skills, and uses his size well to protect the puck. He closes gaps well which is a bonus, but he needs to work on playing the body more as well.
There is some rawness, but he knows what he needs to work on. He has the height as he stands at 6’2, now he just needs to fill in his 181 pound frame. That will come in time.
Connor McClennon
McClennon, a young 18-year-old that stands at 5’8 and weighs 163 pounds. He is a boom or bust type pick and he could change the overall landscape of the farm system and team in the future if this pick pans out. One addition, yes the addition of McClennon, a young man who knows and is not afraid to shoot the puck, one that doesn’t hesitate to get to the greasy areas to score a goal.
This young goal scorer will shoot the puck from anywhere on the ice. McClennon is a sharpshooter that possesses a highly accurate shot. He was on fire with the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL before the season ended last season. For his efforts, McClennon tallied 14 goals and registered 19 assists for a total of 33 points in 24 games played in 2020-21. McClennon could become a nice player in the future at the very least a bottom six player, but he has to play a better overall two-way game.
Playing a two-way game has become the norm for the Flyers. Under Head Coach Alain Vigneault a player who gets ice time has to backcheck to protect the defense and goalies alike. McClennon needs to improve upon his skating, and defense or he will not receive an Entry-Level-Contract (ELC) by June 1, 2022. If he does not receive an ELC by then he will then become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA).
McClennon could use some work with his first step. He is a good board battler, is smart with his positioning, and is quick in transition. For his efforts, McClennon has netted nine goals, and six assists on the season in 10 games played. Good numbers, but he must play better defensively.
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