ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - APRIL 11: Massimo Rizzo #13 of the Denver Pioneers during pre-game warmups before the NCAA Mens Hockey Frozen Four semifinal against the Boston University Terriers at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo Credit: Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Denver University forward prospect Massimo Rizzo to a two-year entry-level contract beginning in 2024-25, according to multiple sources.
Massimo Rizzo, 22, has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, according to General Manager Daniel Briere.
The Canadian with Italian roots will report to Lehigh Valley upon the contract signing and join the Phantoms for a Calder Cup playoff run, adding some much-needed center depth to a depleted pipeline down the middle.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have signed Rizzo to an Amateur Tryout Contract beginning in the 2023-24 season, making him eligible to play in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs, according to AHL Transactions.
The Carolina Hurricanes drafted Rizzo in the seventh round, 216th overall of the 2019 NHL Draft, and dealt him to the Flyers along with a 2025 fifth-round pick for David Kase in August 2023.
The two-time NCAA National Champion earned his first title during his freshmen year with Denver alumnus and current Flyer Bobby Brink. The two played together during the 2021-22 season, carrying Denver to their ninth championship. Denver blanked Boston University 2-0 to claim their 10th NCAA title, the most championships from one program in collegiate hockey.
Before climbing the ranks in the NCHC, Rizzo led one of the most prestigious hockey programs in the BCHL, the Penticton Vees, as a captain in the 2018-19 season. He played four seasons in the BCHL with Vees before playing his last year as a Chilliwack Chief. In those five years playing 132 games, Rizzo tailed 43 goals, 80 assists and 123 points.
The Burnaby, BC, native was committed to North Dakota in 2020 before ultimately deciding to attend Denver University, spending three years in Colorado, playing 107 games, accumulating 126 points and earning a long list of honours and accolades. During his rookie season at 20, he posted 12 goals, 24 assists and 36 points in 39 games, finishing as an NCHC Rookie of the Year finalist.
Rizzo finished his college career as an alternate captain, being named to NCHC All-Conference Teams in 2021-22 and 2022-23, All-NCHC First Team in 2022-23 with a Hobey Baker Award nomination and NCHC Second Team All-American in 2023-24. In 107 games, he had 39 goals, 87 assists and 126 points, carrying a 1.18 points per game and a 66 plus-minus.
