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Philadelphia Flyers 4th round selection in the 2019 draft Mason Millman returned to action on Friday for the ECHL Reading Royals. It was not a good game for the Royals falling 4-1 to the Thunder. However, Millman did have the assist on the lone goal plus two shots on the goal himself. He was active in the offensive zone using his good zone reading ability to be effective in both ends. Just like he was in 15 career AHL games thus far and while with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL in his junior career. The Flyers thus far have looked very solid with the pick of Millman. After being drafted in the 2019 draft, Millman had his breakout season in Juniors in 19-20. He picked up 31 apples with 13 goals for 44 points in 58 games. By far his best offensive season for the solid overall well-rounded defensemen. The season prior in more games Millman got 25 points. So safe to say his progression was moving in the right direction.
Mason Millman now back from injury is ready to hit the ground running in Reading to get his feet back under him. Do not expect him to be in Reading long though. In only his short 15 game AHL career Millman emerged as a good skating 6’1 defenseman who moves up on the play well but also gets back very good as well. He may have only played in 13 games in the shortened 20-21 season, but when he played he was one of the Phantoms most impressive defensemen on the ice in my opinion. Millman makes his decisions quickly and cycles the puck well. Something we have all been complaining the Flyers do not do well enough at all of late. Millman is another left-shot defenseman for a team with many but that’s not gonna matter if the 20-year-old keeps showing spunk and wits in his play. He will get the call up one day as long as he can stay healthy and continue to develop his game.
Mason Millman is looking at likely an age 22 callup maybe even 23 if the Flyers just let him nurture and mature down below to the full effect. They have Egor Zamula (21) and Cam York (20) all ahead of Millman as youngsters on the defense depth chart set to be called up next. One could also argue another recent return from injury player Wyatt Wylie (22) is currently ahead of Millman on the depth chart as well. That’s no diss at Millman, more just pointing out how two lefties are closer to a call and potentially one right/leftie in Wylie. This is a good thing for Millman though. He is a guy who at only 20 years old, could use 2 or 3 more good years in the minors to really round out his game as a good complete defensemen who does a little bit of everything at a solid level. Plus with his ability to read lanes hence making him good at jumping up on the play, do not be shocked if he does eventually start to pounce at least assists wise in his Pro career. All in all for Fletcher and assistant GM Brent Flahr, Millman is looking to be rounding into a nice middle round pick. As is the aforementioned Wyatt Wylie on of Hextall’s final picks.
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The Flyers as our great Lance Green has written among others, do need to find the next Giroux to pass the torch too. However just as much as you need that 1A guy to count on through and through you need very good players who fill out your roster too. Millman and Wylie, who I will have an article on coming up, look like they could be two good 3rd pairing defensemen at least and then go from there. All Millam has to do is keep playing his simple yet very effective game led by his dynamite instincts on the ice and he will have a good chance to be with the Orange and Black one day too. Nicely done by the Flyers with the pick of Millman
