Future Flyers Report: Konan/Akeson finish season with Flyers, three prospects in 2013 IIHF World Championship, Titans finished, Canadian junior updates

By Craig F
Posted on 04/29/2013 at 9:00 am

Another pair of Philadelphia Flyers’ prospects made their NHL debut this week, as both Matthew Konan and Jason Akeson appeared in contests for the Orange and Black. Konan made his debut in the Flyers’ 2-1 win on Thursday against the New York Islanders at the Wells Fargo Center. He had two hits and a blocked shot in 13:09 of ice time. In Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, both Konan and Akeson suited up for the Flyers. Konan had four shots on net, three hits, and one blocked shot in 18:42 TOI during his first NHL appearance. As for …

Future Flyers Report: Brandon Manning joins the Flyers, Leier’s Winterhawks nearly in WHL Finals, Straka and Baie-Comeau almost in QMJHL Finals

By Craig F
Posted on 04/22/2013 at 9:00 am

After Kent Huskins suffered a concussion from Ryan White’s illegal hit in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 7-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, yet another unexpected defenseman made an appearance on the Flyers’ blue line. This time it was Brandon Manning. Manning played in a few games for the Orange and Black last season, as he posted a plus-1 rating in four contests for Philly. He didn’t record a point with the Flyers last season, but the former Chilliwack Bruin played well in his first stretch at the NHL level. A day after Huskins’ injury, Manning appeared in his first …

Straka in his time with Rimouski Oceanic. Image courtesy of mrx.ca.

Future Flyers Report: Straka signs an entry-level deal, Gostisbehere named an All-American, Wellwood suffers major injury, OHL/WHL playoff updates

By Craig F
Posted on 04/15/2013 at 9:00 am

The Philadelphia Flyers’ organization signed forward Petr Straka this week. The 6’0″ 194-pound skater is currently helping Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL in their postseason run, as the club is set to take on Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the semifinals. Picked 55th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL Draft, Straka had 41 goals and 41 assists in 55 games for Baie-Comeau during the regular season. He also eight goals and 10 helpers in Drakkar’s eight postseason games so far this postseason, which is good enough for third overall in the QMJHL playoffs. In the NCAA, Shayne Gostisbehere …

Sanctions will not tarnish Winterhawks’ season if they win the Memorial Cup

By Jared Abbott
Posted on 04/13/2013 at 11:00 am

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of giving and appreciating the bounties accumulated over the past year. Less than a week after this gluttonous holiday, the Western Hockey League presented the Portland Winterhawks with a trip to the backyard deep fryer. WHL commissioner Ron Robison announced on November 28 that the league suspended the Winterhawks for a series of violations of WHL regulations. Over the past four seasons Portland has been skating by without penalty, but now that they are the best team in the WHL the sanctions emerge, seemingly at a peculiar time. The league found that Portland …

Image courtesy of www.kitchenerrangers.com

Draft Eligibles: Is Darnell Nurse (OHL), Donovan McNabb’s nephew, the next Chris Pronger?

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 02/19/2013 at 1:00 pm

One player who has climbed up the draft boards this season is Sault. Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Darnell Nurse. Nurse is currently ranked 10th overall by ISS in its January rankings and is listed as the number one OHL defenseman draft prospect, and number two overall OHL player behind Ottawa 67’s forward Sean Monahan. While Nurse’s talent is already present, he will most likely be drafted on future potential. At 6’5 190 pounds, Nurse certainly has room on his frame to add muscle and size. Nurse can also play quite physically, using his 6’5″ frame to his advantage, as indicated …

Then and Now: Nolan Baumgartner

By Craig F
Posted on 01/02/2013 at 9:00 am

After the New York Islanders picked Brett Lindros ninth overall in the 1994 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected defenseman Nolan Baumgartner. The four players picked after the Canadian d-man were former San Jose Shark and New Jersey Devil Jeff Friesen, Wade Belak, Mattias Ohlund, and Ethan Moreau. All four of those players turned out to play more seasons in the NHL than Baumgartner, who totaled 10 years at hockey’s highest level. Baumgartner suited up for the Caps, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins before he became a member of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006. The blue liner signed …

Future Flyers Report: 11/12

By Craig F
Posted on 11/12/2012 at 8:00 am

The Flyers used two of their seven draft picks in this year’s draft on forwards. The first was center Scott Laughton, who they selected in the first round at 20th overall. The second was Taylor Leier, the only winger selected by Philly in the draft, in the fourth round at 117th overall. Although Laughton plays with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL and Leier plays in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks, both skaters have participated in the same number of games due to Laughton in the midst of a 10-game suspension. With 14 games apiece, Leier has produced 14 …