With the 2017 NHL Draft now complete and in the history books, we now can take a slogan from the famous words of Porky the Pig, “Th-Th-The, Th-Th-The, Th-Th… That’s all, folks!.” This draft will go down as one of the most memorable in recent memory for Philadelphia Flyers. Flyers fans from all over the globe came out sporting their orange clad gear as they usually do. For good reason as this draft jump starts the Flyers rebuild process by a full season. Without further delay, here’s a recap of the Flyers draft.
Nolan Patrick, C, 2nd overall
Can we say cornerstone of the franchise?The 18 year old phenom, Patrick is a natural goal scorer who has good hands. He knows how to pass the puck, and Patrick has become a solid two-way player at his young age. His hockey IQ, and vision for the ice ranks off the charts. There is little doubt he will be a mainstay in the NHL.
Morgan Frost, C, 27th overall
The dynamic Frost has a knack of seeing a play one to two steps ahead of everyone else. He has a knack of knowing where people are at all times. If a play breaks down, Frost is relentless and can put the puck in places for his teammates to make a play. For the 2016-17 season he registered 20 goals, and 42 assists for a total of 62 points in 67 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Isaac Ratcliffe, LW, 35th overall
This 6’4″, 192 pound standout had a career season playing for the Guelph Storm in 2016-17. He registered 28 goals, and 26 assists for a total of 54 points in 67 games played. If you saw him play the past few years one would have noticed instantly that his hockey IQ vastly improved from the prior year. He has a knack of knowing where to be, or where his teammates were on the ice at all times. His success is fueled by his dedication for the game.
Krill Ustimenko, G, 80th overall)
Ustimenko is a 6’3″, 189 pound goalie who played for MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg in the MHL in 2016-17. For the season he recorded a 1.74 GAA and .938 save percentage in 27 games last season. Ustimenko is very athletic, tracks pucks well, and effectively controls rebounds.
Matthew Strome, LW, 106th overall
The young 18 year old prospect busted his butt in the 2015- 16 offseason to improve his game. His hard work paid off in a big way, as he enjoyed a career year for the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2016-17. For the season he tallied 34 goals, and 28 assists for 62 points in 66 games played. The Flyers are starving for natural goal scoring left wingers. Strome may be the answer to their prayers.
Maxim Sushko, RW, 107th overall
Sushko is a native of Belarus, and he played for Owen Sound Attack in 2016-17. He finished the season with 17 goals, and 15 assists for a total of 32 points in 54 games played. Multiple scouting reports noted his speed and offensive upside back when that pick was made.
Noah Cates, LW, 137th overall
Cates stands at 6’0, 165 pounds. He had 20 goals in 25 games last season for Stillwater High School in Minnesota. Cates is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. While playing in the USHL in 2016-17, Cates registered 2 goals, and 5 assists for a total of 7 points in 11 games played.
Olle Lycksell, RW, 168th overall
The 17 year old Lycksell stands at 5’10”, 163 pounds. He played for a Swedish Team, Linkoping Super Elite HC J20 in 2016-17. He registered 4 goals, and 5 assists for a total of 9 points on 29 games played. Lycksell has some speed and good hands.
Wyatt Kalynuk D, 196th overall
Kalynuk is a native of Manitoba and he stands at 6’1″, 174 pounds. While playing for the Bloomington Thunder of the USHL in 2026-17, he posted 6 goals, and 25 assists for a total of 31 points in 60 games. Kalynuk has committed to the University of Wisconsin this upcoming season.
The Flyers addressed the glaring issues on the wing, as was expected in this year’s draft. One thing is certain the future is bright in Flyer land.
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Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
