Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
Flyers Rookie Camp hit the ice this morning at the training facility in Voorhees NJ. Twenty seven young players are on the roster for this year’s camp. Hockey is officially back! The 2024-25 season opener does not take place until October 11th in Vancouver but today was the first major step in that direction.
Many members of the press as well as a good showing of hockey starved Flyers Fans were on hand to catch a glimpse of the 2024 rookies as they took the ice together for the first time. For the players this is much more than an exhibition event. This is an opportunity for them to take their best shot at a chance to play in the NHL.
The Flyers brass looked on from the balcony above the ice as the young hopefuls skated through a number of different drills. The coaching staff kept them moving at a quick pace for the duration of the session. Three on three drills up and back the length of the ice had the squad competing against each other in various combinations. The competition was intense. Room on the ice, especially in front of the nets was hard fought and not easy to come by. Every player on the ice is looking to make a good impression. Even players who are still early on in their development are doing their best to stand out and be remembered for all the right reasons.
Matvei Michkov
Today gave folks a chance to get their first look at the team’s new arrival Matvei Michkov. He was drafted by the Flyers 7th overall in the 1st round of the 2023 draft. He arrived in the area this summer one year earlier than expected. Michkov has yet to play in an NHL game but he was absolutely a factor in the attendance at the rink this morning. There is much hope and big expectations that Michkov will have a huge impact on the Flyers future. He worked hard this morning showing his adept skating skills and deceptive ability with the puck. Taking nothing for granted he was one of the last players to leave the ice at the end of the session.
Jett Luchanko
The Flyers first round pick chosen 13th overall Jett Luchanko was also on the roster this morning. Luchanko is not expected to make the team out of camp per se, but he’s a very well rounded hockey player and stranger things have happened. In case you haven’t heard, Jett is fast. Really fast. A big upside to Luchanko is that his hands and head can totally keep pace with his speedy feet. He is crafty with the puck and has great vision for his options on the ice. It will be very interesting to watch him over the next couple weeks to get a better idea of how far along he is in his development.
Familiar Faces
There are some players returning to Rookie Camp this year who are already a familiar part of the organization. Players like Emil Andrae, Denver Barkey, Elliot Desnoyers, Zade Wisdom, Oliver Bonk, and Carson Bjarnason are known to the team and fans alike. The first day of camp is not going to really show us all that much about the young players development since last year. At least not compared to this coming weekend when the Flyers rookies will take on the New York Rangers rookie squad. This will give us a chance to see this group of players in a high pressure competitive situation where their readiness will be much more apparent.
Rookie Series
Philadelphia Flyers vs The New York Rangers. Back to back games at the PPL Center. Friday Sept 13th at 7:05 PM and Saturday Sept 14th at 5:05 PM. Things will get right down to business this weekend. Hockey is back!
Extra Credit: Alexis Gendron (2022 7th round pick) has the ability to be sharp as a knife. Sometimes he just cuts right through everything.
