Notable Phantoms performers this week:
- 10/6 – 6-3 WIN/
Philippe Myers (D): 1 GP, 1 assist, 2 shots, 2 PIM
Undrafted Free Agent
I know many of us were disappointed that Myers didn’t make the big club, but he is likely only one injury away from becoming a mainstay. Meanwhile, all we can do is hope that he keeps on adding up those points in Lehigh Valley.
Mark Friedman (D): 1 GP, 2 assists, 2 PIM
2014 3rd Round Pick, 86th overall
It took Friedman 6 games last year to get to two assists. He was able to do that in just one game this season. Friedman does have talent and the potential to be an above average bottom-6 defenseman.
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (RW): 1 GP, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 shots
2014 2nd Round Pick, 48th overall
NAK had his breakout season last year with the Phantoms with 46 points (18 G, 28 A) in 72 games. 43 of those 46 points came at 5 on 5. With added PP time, it’s not hard to imagine that he could break the 60 point barrier. You can check out his goals here and here.
German Rubtsov (C): 1 GP, 1 goal, 3 shots
2016 1st Round Pick, 22nd overall
Rubtsov gets his first pro goal! You can watch it here. He received it on a nice feed from Kase. Rubtosv struggled offensively in his last season in the OHL. It will be interesting to watch his adjustment to the pro game as this season goes on.
Carsen Twarynski (LW): 1 GP, 2 shots
2016 3rd Round Pick, 82nd overall
No points in Twarynski’s season debut. He finished with 45 goals and 27 assists in 68 games with Kelowna (WHL) last season. Twarynski had a great camp/preseason and is looking likely to figure into the Flyers plans in the future.
David Kaše (RW): 1 GP, 1 assist, 2 shots
2015 5th Round Pick, 128th overall
Another professional debut. Kase was excellent for his SHL club last season as a 20 year old and decided to make the jump to North America this offseason. He certainly has the pedigree as his brother Ondrej has found success with the Anaheim Ducks.
Carter Hart (G): 1 GP, 3 goals allowed, 31 saves
2016 2nd Round Pick, 48th overall
Carter Hart was sharp in his Phantoms debut. Hart figures to get a full season of AHL action before factoring into the Flyers goaltending plans. An exceptional season could even solidify his status as the Flyers starting goaltender for the 19/20 season.
Notable Canadian junior performers this week:
Morgan Frost (C), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2017 1st Round Pick, 27th overall
- 10/4 – 1 goal, 5 shots, 12 for 29 FOW
- 10/5 – 2 assists, 3 shots, 12 for 26 FOW
- 10/7 – 1 goal, 2 shots, 10 for 30 FOW/
This Frost kid is still looking really good. Like, could be a ton of fun. He has 9 points (4 G, 5 A) in 7 games this season.
Isaac Ratcliffe (LW), Guelph Storm (OHL)
2017 2nd Round Pick, 35th overall
We’re only a couple weeks into the OHL season and Ratcliffe’s 6 goals on the season are only 2 off the league-lead. If I were to wager, I think we see 40+ goals from Ratcliffe for the second season in a row and approach 80 points overall. Look at this short-handed goal.
Matthew Strome (LW), Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
2017 4th Round Pick, 106th overall
- 10/5 – 1 shot, 2 PIM, 3 for 5 FOW
- 10/6 – 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 PIM, 0 for 2 FOW
- 10/7 – 1 goal, 2 shots/
7 points (2 G, 5 A) in 7 games for Strome to start his 4th OHL season. He set career-highs in goals (37) and points (68) last season. It would certainly be disappointing for him not to reach those totals (and of course there is the whole learning to skate at a pro-level).
Maksim Sushko (RW), Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
2017 4th Round Pick, 107th overall
Maksim Sushko breaking my heart to open the season with just 3 assists and no goals in his first 7 games. He is well off his point-per-game pace (60 in 60) from last season.
Wyatte Wylie (D), Everett Silvertips (WHL)
2018 5th Round Pick, 127th overall
After collecting 5 assists in his first 4 games, Wylie is shutout this weekend. He has an impressive 22 shots in just 6 games.
Egor Zamula (D), Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Undrafted Free Agent
- 10/5 – 2 shots/
Still no points for Zamula through 6 games.
Notable European performers this week
Linus Högberg (D), Växjö Lakers HC (SHL)
2016 5th Round Pick, 139th overall
No points this week, but continued Top-4 minutes for the 20 year old.
David Bernhardt (D), Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
2016 7th Round Pick, 199th overall
Bernhardt appears to still being slowly brought back from his ailment that cost him the first week of the season.
Adam Ginning (D), Linköping HC (SHL)
2018 2nd Round Pick, 50th overall
The shrinking ice time certainly doesn’t look great. Something to keep an eye on next week.
Olle Lycksell (RW/C), Linköping HC (SHL)
2017 6th Round Pick, 168th overall
Meanwhile, Lycksell seems to be getting sustained ice time as a 19 year old. He has 4 points (1 G, 3 A) in 8 games this season.
Marcus Westfält (C), Brynäs IF (SHL)
2018 7th Round Pick, 205th overall
Marcus Westfält remains with the big club after starting with the J20 team. For reference, these are basically bottom-line minutes.
Felix Sandström (G), HV71 (SHL)
2015 3rd Round Pick, 70th overall
I figured it wouldn’t be a linear path back to elite goaltending echelon. In six games this season Sandström has a .911 SV%.
Samuel Ersson (G), Västerås IK (Allsvenskan)
2018 5th Round Pick, 143rd overall
Ersson hasn’t played since a 9/28 game. He has a .941 SV% in 2 games this season with Västerås.
Ivan Fedotov (G), Toros Neftekamsk (VHL)
2015 7th Round Pick, 188th overall
A great week for Fedotov! He is up to a .948 SV% in 5 games to start the season.
Kirill Ustimenko (G), MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)
2017 3rd Round Pick, 80th overall
It hasn’t been a good start for Ustimenko as he stares at a .907 SV% in 13 games. Goaltenders are weird, man.
Notable collegiate performers this week
Jay O’Brien (C), Providence College
2018 1st Round Pick, 19th overall
- 10/6 – 2 shots, 4 for 9 FOW/
O’Brien makes his college debut! Providence is a very good team (ranked #4 this week), so he should get plenty of opportunities this season to showcase his offensive skills.
Brendan Warren (LW), University of Michigan
2015 3rd Round Pick, 81st overall
- 10/6 – 2 shots/
Forget about this guy? So did I. Warren enters his senior year with Michigan. He put up his highest point total as a freshman (17). I would venture to say the odds of Warren getting a contract from the Flyers is very low.
Noah Cates (LW), University of Minnesota-Duluth
2017 5th Round Pick, 137th overall
- 10/6 – 2 shots, 2 for 3 FOW
- 10/7 – 1 goal/
Cates nets his first collegiate goal on this nasty shot. Cates is playing his freshman season as a 19 year old. He had spent the previous season in the USHL.
