It’s extremely exciting times for the Philadelphia Flyers’ young defensemen.
Shayne Gostisbehere had a breakout rookie season. Ivan Provorov is having a similar performance. And what would you know: both, 23 and 19 years old respectively, are currently leading the Flyers in ice time.
There are still some, um, faults on the Flyers’ defense. But hopefully it’s these kids turning the corner that will help alleviate that.
Kids like Philippe Myers.
Based on what I saw at WJC, Philippe Myers looks NHL ready, or close to it: https://t.co/y38vVRSQee
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 12, 2017
Granted, this is just one man’s opinion based off of a very limited sample size, but then again, when that man is Bob McKenzie, well, you listen to that one man’s opinion.
Myers has come a long way since going undrafted. The 6’5, 202 lb. defender has 18 points in 19 games this season for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, which puts him second in team defensemen scoring, even though he’s played 21 fewer games than the other guy.
He was also a top player for Team Canada at the World Juniors before suffering a concussion, scoring three assists in four round robin games before being unable to play further. Myers is still out for the time being, but is expected to make his return to his junior club later this month.
He’ll be 20 years old on Jan. 25, so this is it for him in junior. Myers will be turning professional next season, so that just leaves the question: which league will he play in?
If McKenzie thinks he has a shot at the NHL sooner rather than later, well, that would make three years in a row of a young, prospective Flyers defenseman entering the league. And hasn’t that been fun?
