Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Oliver Bonk, a Right-Handed defenseman was still on the board in the first round with the Flyers on the clock to pick and they selected him with the 22nd overall pick. Moments before this selection the Flyers selected a prospect Matvei Michkov with superstar/generational potential. The selection of Bonk has received mixed reactions from the Flyers proud faithful, where some project Bonk as a project, however in the same token, other fans project Bonk as a top four defenseman.
The Flyers finally have drafted a solid skating defenseman. They needed a solid skating defenseman, and this was one way to do it. There were weeks of speculation over who the Flyers would take with the 22nd pick, in particular. It was either going to be him, Mikhail Gulyayev, Gabe Perreault, or Riley Heidt. Moreover, the Flyers faithful started hearing the possibility of the orange and black trading the pick to move up in the draft. This led to a ton of trade speculation, with rumors swirling left and right. We can finally put that all to rest now, obviously, as we don a new era of Flyers hockey.
Bonk is an solid skater, like most prospects he can improve upon this area, but he has a great pair of hands. If one area of his game was going to hold him back from being an effective NHL’er, it would definitely be his skating. He stands at 6’2, weighs 176 pounds. Bonk is a very confident and skilled puck handler, who effectively transitions the puck out of his zone and into his opponent’s zone. He is an able bodied playmaker who excels at finding and creating passing lanes, mainly due to his edge work. Bonk plays a physical game, as he shuts down his opponents by taking the body, and board battling.
This young 18-year-old defenseman in Bonk has had quite a few weeks since being drafted into the Flyers organization. From throwing out the first pitch at a Phillies game, to having a good Developmental Camp. Bonk really had an impressive camp, as he should have. He skated well, and honestly was physical. Maybe not as physical as Emil Andrae, but still. Bonk did not look out of place.
The young, slick gifted defenseman in Bonk plays a solid two-way game. He gets to the dirty areas to score, and has a lethal wrist shot, as well. His top four pairing upside sets him apart from prospects in the draft, as his first few steps are great. Bonk really could crack the NHL in approximately three to four years. Bonk plays in all situations the coaching staff asks of him, and he plays with an aggressive edge. This pick in Bonk is a high valued one, and one that will pay huge dividends in the future.
Hopefully, the Flyers will benefit from a gifted player Right-Handed defenseman in Bonk. This selection was a great start to the draft for the Flyers, who are apparently in a “REBUILD” mode according to Dan Hilferty, Keith Jones, and Danny Briere. The proud orange-clad fans deserve this selection. They have supported the Flyers through the thick and thin, and it’s time the fans start reaping some of the benefits.
He’s much taller than perceived, and his upper body appears to be slightly ahead of young prospects his age. Bonk will not let the mullet go either, he stated to us (Media) at Developmental Camp. What happens from here on out is anyone’s guess, but the future is bright for Bonk and the Flyers. Could he be a Matt Niskanen or Chris Therien? We shall see.
Buckle Up Oliver Bonk
