Photo Credit: Our very own Jamey Baskow
The Flyers first round selection of Luchanko is exactly what the doctor ordered. One can watch tape after tape on him. Other teams had their eyes set on Luchanko, as well, and the main reason is his speed. That part of the game cannot be taught, you either have speed or don’t, “One man Power Play break in,”Oliver Bonk said of Jett Luchanko after doing his off-ice workout on Tuesday when Developmental Camp opened. “That’s what we called him in London because they would just sling it back to him, one-against-four, and he would skate it every time. He’s a special player.”
Bonk is very familiar with playing against Luchanko in the OHL. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be selected by the Flyers. Unbelievable feeling,” said Jett Luchanko. “I’m excited to be a Flyer and glad to be a part of this historic franchise.”
Luchanko turned 17 on August 21, 2023. He stands at 5’11 and weighs in at 187 pounds. This is somewhat of a raw build for a pro hockey player and gives him a bit of room should he want to add strength this Summer. Luchanko, is a native of London, ON, CAN, and fans could get their first opportunity to see him at Developmental Camp on Tuesday, “The way he plays, the way he works. He’s a complete player first of all. He’s very young still,” said Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere. “What he did and how he got better and better as the season went on. We feel that ‘yes, he’s a center.’ We feel he’s just starting to tap his potential. We’re really excited about him.”
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Luchanko says he wants to further developing his shot. He has elite speed, now couple that with a good shot and he becomes that much harder to play against, “It’s definitely something that I want to work on and get better at over the Summer,” Luchanko said at Developmental Camp on Tuesday. “For me, it’s just trying to work on the total package.”
“It’s really cool, they have treated us really well here,” Luchanko continued. “It’s obviously an amazing facility, and it’s still under construction here. I just saw some of the Flyers guys here, Farabee and York, they all seem really nice. For me, I’m always just trying to work hard every single day, good things come from that. Just worried on getting to work and getting started here.”
“You can tell he’s a little bit nervous, but I think that comes with the nature of the territory,” Riley Armstrong said Tuesday. “His first little camp here, and also being a first-round pick. So there’s a little bit of added pressure there, but that’s something that we talk with him through. Help him adjust, and understand kind of who he is as a player. He looks good out here. I thought that the first little skate we did–you can tell his strength is his skating. He (Luchanko) can fly up and down the rink, so I think when you add speed into any lineup it’s a bonus.”
Now more on the player in Luchanko. The Flyers ended up coming away with the guy they wanted all along, per Danny Briere. Luchanko was one guy the Flyers wanted, and had eyes for as Briere noted to our very own Vasili Gianarakos after the first round was complete. They loved his shot, hands, size, and more importantly his skating abilities.
Luchanko has a high motor, and can turn the jets on when he wants to. He has a high-end hockey IQ, which cannot be taught. His vision of the ice is impeccable. Luchanko needs to get bigger and stronger to withstand the rigors of an 82 game season, but that will come in time. He’s one to two years from being an impact player with the Flyers organization.
“Jett’s a player we are really excited about. A centerman who brings speed, very smart and very detailed at both ends of the rink. As he gets stronger, he’s going to be more and more dynamic. We’re really excited about his potential.” said Brent Flahr, Vice President and Assistant General Manager following the draft.
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Flahr continues, “He can play in every situation, whether it’s in Guelph or Team Canada. He’s a leader. Coaches rave about him on both teams. We just think it’s the tip of the iceberg with him. He’s a player that we highly coveted.”
This young man can score too, it’s not just about his skating abilities. Yes he’s an elite skater, but he has good hands too. He netted 20 goals last season, so he has the knack for the net a bit. Now it’s about development with the Guelph Storm and the Flyers organization.
