Welcome back to another Flyers prospect season! Each week we will be checking into the plethora of Flyers prospects around the world. As you’ll read below, both the Canadian Junior and European Leagues have begun. Starting in October, the AHL and NCAA will be getting underway as well. If you have any reasonable suggestions for the upcoming season, I’m happy to listen by either leaving a comment below or sending an email to jay.polinsky@gmail.com.
Notable Canadian junior performers this week:
Morgan Frost (C), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2017 1st Round Pick, 27th overall
I know some may have been disappointed that Morgan Frost didn’t make the Flyers roster after a MVP OHL campaign in 17-18, but it was clear in the preseason and training camp that he might not be truly ready for the fast-paced NHL. Frost will get another chance to improve his pace-of-play and dominate the OHL yet again. Three points in his first two games was a nice start to that. You can check out his slick takeaway that resulted in a goal here.
Isaac Ratcliffe (LW), Guelph Storm (OHL)
2017 2nd Round Pick, 35th overall
Ratcliffe had a notably slow start in 17-18 that eventually resulted in 41 goals in 67 games. He impressed in training camp and will certainly factor into Flyers lineup decisions perhaps as early as next season.
Matthew Strome (LW), Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
2017 4th Round Pick, 106th overall
Matthew Strome enters his 4th OHL season with a lot to prove. He has improved both his goal and point totals each season since joining the Bulldogs. Strome’s squad won the OHL title last season and figure to be a strong contender again, which will give Strome ample opportunities to hone his skills and fix some deficiencies.
Maksim Sushko (RW), Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
2017 4th Round Pick, 107th overall
Maksim Sushko was a personal favorite of mine last season, scoring 60 points (31 G, 29 A) in 60 games in his second OHL season. He also had an impressive showing with Team Belarus in the 2017 World Junior Championships. There is bottom-six upside here if he shows that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Wyatte Wylie (D), Everett Silvertips (WHL)
2018 5th Round Pick, 127th overall
It’s been awhile since we’ve had to follow a Canadian junior defenseman. Wylie is very much an offense-oriented d-man, which should be obvious by his 150 shots on goal in 72 games last regular season. All 3 of his assists this weekend came at even strength.
Egor Zamula (D), Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Undrafted Free Agent
- 9/22 – 2 shots/
After an impressive showing this season at 2018 training camp and in preseason games, Zamula earned himself a contract with the Flyers. The Russian import rejoins the Calgary Hitmen after scoring 18 points (2 G, 16 A) in 69 games between two clubs (the aforementioned Calgary and his former Regina).
Notable European performers this week
Linus Högberg (D), Växjö Lakers HC (SHL)
2016 5th Round Pick, 139th overall
Yes, no points from Högberg isn’t that uncommon. He had only 4 of those last season while mostly getting 3rd pairing minutes. However, if you see above, he isn’t getting 3rd pairing minutes anymore. That’s great sign considering he’s just 20 years old playing on the best team in the SHL. Coaches are trusting the kid to lead the team in a professional league where winning is important. Think about it.
David Bernhardt (D), Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
2016 7th Round Pick, 199th overall
Sad to report that Bernhardt has not gotten in any games so far this season. Not because he hasn’t earned it, but rather he is out with an unknown injury. He played in the Champions League prior to the start of the regular season on 9/9, but hasn’t been on the ice since.
Adam Ginning (D), Linköping HC (SHL)
2018 2nd Round Pick, 50th overall
Our fresh new defensive prospect is starting the year with the big club for the first time in his career. In his previous two seasons he joined Linköping at various points for 12 and 28 games, respectively.
Olle Lycksell (RW/C), Linköping HC (SHL)
2017 6th Round Pick, 168th overall
It was pretty evident that after last season that Lycksell had outgrown the J20 team after putting up 22 points (10 G, 12 A) in 26 games. He then didn’t look out of touch either last season, scoring 7 points (5 G, 2 A) in 26 games with Linköping. His 3 points put him in 2nd on scoring with the team.
Marcus Westfält (C), Brynäs IF J20 (SuperElit)
2018 7th Round Pick, 205th overall
Westfält is starting the year with the J20 squad even after playing 31 games with the big club last season. The SHL is awful at updating J20 stats and game scores, so I’m here to tell you in his first 5 games of the season he has 3 points (1 G, 2 A) with 4 PIM and is a plus-4.
Felix Sandström (G), HV71 (SHL)
2015 3rd Round Pick, 70th overall
Good news everyone! Felix Sandström is healthy again! The promising goaltender was limited to just 18 games last season with injuries. It hasn’t been a strong start to the 18-19 season (.897 SV%), but it’s good to see him back in action as he works his way back into the upper echelon of goal-tending prospects.
Samuel Ersson (G), Västerås IK (Allsvenskan)
2018 5th Round Pick, 143rd overall
Västerås IK opened up their season on 9/21, but Ersson has yet to see action. Last season for Brynäs IF’s J20 club, he had a .920 SV% in 40 games. He also snuck one game in for the SHL club and put up a .882 SV%.
Ivan Fedotov (G), Toros Neftekamsk (VHL)
2015 7th Round Pick, 188th overall
Yes, Ivan Fedotov was a bit of a disaster last season (.899 SV%). This is a brand new season and hopefully the 21 year old can turn a corner. He’s played well in the little action he’s had in the VHL this season. He’d likely have played more games with Toros, but was called up to the KHL and was their backup for a stretch. Unfortunately, he didn’t get any game-time during his promotion.
Kirill Ustimenko (G), MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)
2017 3rd Round Pick, 80th overall
A little curious that Ustimenko, one of the best goaltenders in the MHL last season, is repeating the league again. As an 18 year old he put up a .929 SV% in 53 games. To begin the MHL season, he has a .911 SV% through 8 games. Hopefully he plays well enough to move up to the VHL as some point.
