The Philadelphia Flyers have a handful of prospects ready to turn pro next season — if they haven’t already, that is.
Top prospect Jett Luchanko already has two assists in three games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms after his junior season ended. He could have a few players joining him from the OHL if their playoff runs are cut short.
The Ontario Hockey League announced the results of its annual coaches poll on Thursday, and a few Flyers prospects were recognized among the many categories.
The aforementioned Luchanko finished second in voting for the Best Skater in the Western Conference with 30 points. Matthew Schaefer, the left-handed defenseman that many have going first overall in the upcoming draft, finished first with 34 points.
Luchanko has the option to return to the OHL next season, but it’d be rather shocking if he doesn’t once again make the Flyers out of training camp. He had 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists) in 46 games for the lowly Guelph Storm this season.
Then there is defenseman Oliver Bonk, who finished top three in voting for two different categories. He finished second in voting for the Best Defensive Defenseman in the Western Conference as well as third for the Best Shot Blocker.
It’s good to see Bonk get some recognition for his defensive play after many fans were excited about his offensive production. He had 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in games last season before coming down to 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 52 games this year. The 2023 first-round pick could be rounding out his two-way game on the blue line.
Finally, it was Denver Barkey who was among the top three in voting for three separate categories. The captain of the London Knights was third in voting for both the Smartest Player and Best Playmaker in the Western Conference. He finished second for Best Stickhandler as well.
Barkey showed off that stickhandling on Thursday night to help his team to the second round of the playoffs.
DENVER BARKEY IS THAT DUDE.@NHLFlyers | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/K63pY5xV00
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) April 3, 2025
The Knights captain had 82 points (25 goals, 57 assists) in 50 regular-season games this season and already has 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in four playoff games. Barkey is quickly rising up the ranks among Flyers prospects.
We’ve already seen plenty of Matvei Michkov and glimpses of Luchanko. It’ll be exciting to see more prospects make their way through the pipeline in the near future.
