Flyers prospect report: Jay O’Brien begins his redemption campaign

Notable Canadian junior performers this week:

Jay O’Brien (C), Penticton Vees (BCHL)
2018 1st Round Pick, 19th overall

• 9/6 – 0 points
• 9/7 – 2 goals, 1 assist
• 9/13 – 3 assists, 2 PIM
• 9/14 – 1 goal, 2 PIM
• 9/21 – 1 goal, 2 PIM
• 9/22 – 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 PIM/

That’s right, in case you missed it, Jay O’Brien left Providence and landed in the BCHL until he can transfer to Boston University next year. After an injury-ravaged 2019-20 campaign, O’Brien is setting the right tone to both the Flyers organization and fans.

Mason Millman (D), Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
2019 4th Round Pick, 103rd overall

• 9/20 – 6 shots
• 9/21 – 7 shots/

Despite the overwhelming amount of shots, it was a bit of a rough one for Millman in his second full OHL season. He was -4 in the first game and -3 in the second. Last year as a rookie he put up 25 points (3 goals, 22 assists) in 66 games (while maintaining a 22 +/-).

Yegor Serdyuk (RW), Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
2019 6th Round Pick, 165th overall

• 9/20 – 1 goal, 3 shots, 4 PIM, 0 for 1 FOW
• 9/21 – 3 goals, 4 shots, 0 for 2 FOW/

That’s kind of how you want to start your Draft +1 season, huh? Serdyuk broke out as a QMJHL rookie in 2019-20, scoring 65 points (25 G, 40 A) in 63 games. He would also add 6 points (3 G, 3 A) in 11 postseason games. He is certainly “one to watch” this season. Check out his goals here.

Wyatte Wylie (D), Everett Silvertips (WHL)
2018 5th Round Pick, 127th overall

• 9/20 – 1 assist, 4 shots, 3 for 4 FOW
• 9/21 – 2 goals, 4 shots, 4 PIM/

Wyatte Wylie was one of the more impressive defensemen in the WHL last season, putting up 47 points (11 G, 36 A) in 67 games. He now enters his 4th WHL season and will be expected to take yet another step.

Egor Zamula (D), Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Undrafted Free Agent

• 9/21 – 1 goal, 4 shots/

The Egor Zamula hype-train reached full momentum last season after he compiled 56 points (10 G, 46 A) in 61 games. While he definitely benefited from power play time, he remains an intriguing prospect moving forward. I’m sure his biggest focus this season will be fine-tuning his play in the defensive zone.

Roddy Ross (G), Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
2019 6th Round Pick, 169th overall

• 9/21 – 1 GA, 50 saves/

This is “Rowdy” Roddy Ross’ 2nd year in the WHL. Last season he sported a .919 save-percentage and 16 wins in 25 games. He did quite well for himself in Seattle’s home-opener. Can never have too many goalie prospects, huh?

Notable European performers this week

Linus Högberg (D), Växjö Lakers HC (SHL)
2016 5th Round Pick, 139th overall

• 9/14 – 18:46 TOI
• 9/17 – 19:17 TOI
• 9/19 – 21:44 TOI
• 9/21 – 20:56 TOI/

Högberg’s 20:11 average time-on-ice is 23rd among all SHL defenseman to start the season and is 1st on his team in even-strength time-on-ice. While he won’t score, he is certainly a play-driving defenseman on the rise. We can only hope for further development and to get an agreement on an entry-level contract by next Spring.

David Bernhardt (D), Växjö Lakers HC (SHL)
2016 7th Round Pick, 199th overall

• 9/14 – 3:34 TOI
• 9/17 – 1 shot, 1:45 TOI
• 9/19 – 1 shot, 10:19 TOI
• 9/21 – 17:25 TOI/

Looks like Växjö did some fine tuning with Bernhardt to start the season, but has since ramped up his play. While he might not be as defensively sound as “The Hog”, Berhardt has some offensive upside to him that hopefully he begins to tap into more with a full season on Växjö.

Adam Ginning (D), Linköping HC (SHL)
2018 2nd Round Pick, 50th overall

• 9/14 – 9:43 TOI
• 9/17 – 25 PIM, 9:58 TOI
• 9/19 – DNP
• 9/21 – DNP/

Ginning got into a fight last week and subsequently got suspended.

Olle Lycksell (RW/C), Linköping HC (SHL)
2017 6th Round Pick, 168th overall

• 9/14 – 1 assist, 14:44 TOI
• 9/17 – 1 goal, 2 shots, 13:34 TOI
• 9/19 – 3 shots, 14:41 TOI
• 9/21 – 14:14 TOI/

Great start to the season for Lycksell who couldn’t find consistent time with his SHL team. He had only 12 points (5 G, 7 A) in 51 games.

Samuel Ersson (G), Brynäs IF (SHL)
2018 5th Round Pick, 143rd overall

• 9/21 – 2 GA, 20 saves/

Unlike Westfält, Ersson DOES make Brynäs IF. He’ll be splitting time with old Flyers prospect Joacim Eriksson. Ersson destroyed Allsvenskan last season with a .933 save percentage in 36 games.

Marcus Westfält (C), Västerviks IK (Allsvenskan)
2018 7th Round Pick, 205th overall

Marcus Westfält doesn’t make the SHL club after a disappointing season last year. He has no points in one game with Västerviks IK.

Ivan Fedotov (G), Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)
2015 7th Round Pick, 188th overall

Fedotov finally getting his break in the KHL after the last three years in the VHL. In four games this season he has a .952 save percentage.

Notable collegiate performers this week

No college games quite yet. Most of the players will start their 2019-20 campaigns either the first or second week of October. Stay tuned!