It was music to the ears of Flyers fans to hear “With the fourteenth and 19th picks in the 2018 NHL Draft the Philadelphia Flyers select Joel Farabee and Jay O’ Brien”. To hear the Flyers fans go crazy with “Let’s Go Flyers,” chants in Dallas, it really sends chills down your spine. The proud orange clad Philly fans didn’t disappoint, so now we can let the dance party begin.
It should come as no shock that the Flyers have selected Farabee from the USDP with their 14th pick. They needed more Wingers, so they grabbed a Left Winger in Farabee. There was weeks of speculation over who the Flyers would take with the fourteenth pick in particular. It was either going to be Joel Farabee, Joe Veleno, Ty Smith, or Wilde. Moreover, the Flyers faithful started hearing the possibility of the orange and black trading up in the draft. This lead to a ton of trade speculation, with rumors swirling left and right. We can finally put that all to rest now, and here’s why the Flyers are all in on the “Process.”
Farabee was born February 25, 2000, in Cicero, NY, USA. Like most kids in the New York area, he started ice skating at a young age and instantly fell in love with the sport of hockey. Farabee eventually found his groove playing for the US National U17 Team for the USDP in 2016-17. He enjoyed a stellar season by amassing 17 goals, and 14 assists for a total of 31 points in 42 games played. This 6’0,” 162 pounds, speedy Farabee instantly proved he would be a force to be reckoned with.
The young, slick winger worked hard in the offseason to prove to the world that he could be a good reliable two-way Forward. For the 2017-18 season, Farabee tallied 33 goals, and 43 assists for a total of 76 points in 62 games played. He played in all sutuations the coaching staff asked of him. Moreover, this slickster in Farabee transitions well out of the zone, and his skating appeared to have improved from prior year. Farabee is a natural goal scorer, who can put the biscuit top shelf, “Where Momma hides the cookies.” This pick in Farabee at 14 is a high valued one, which should pay huge dividends in the future.
With the 19th pick in the draft Hextall went off board, and selected an 18 year old high school phenom from Thayer Academy in Jay O’Brien. He appears to have a scorer’s touch, who has a good pair of hands. O’Brien is a high-valued versatile Center that knows how to pass the puck, and he has become a solid two-way player at his young age. His hockey IQ, and vision for the ice ranks off the charts. One of O’Brien’s strength for the Flyers is that he can play both Center and Wing. There is little doubt at his young age that O’ Brien could very well become an NHL mainstay.
O’Brien is a much needed breath of fresh air for the orange and black. Hextall went completely off board with this selection as Bode Wilde, Joe Veleno, K’ Andre Miller were all still on board. O’Brien can play both Center and Wing. He is a native Hingham, MA, USA. For the 2017-18 season, O’ Brien found himself playing for Thayer Academy. For the season, he tallied 43 goals, and 37 assists for a total of 80 points in 30 games played. This young man’s most important skill is his two-way game. O’ Brien uses his blazing speed for back checking, which is a trait the big club could use at some point in the future.
Hopefully, the Flyers will benefit from a natural goal scorer in Farabee, and a good two-way versatile Center in O’ Brien. Both of these selections are a great start for the Flyers, who are trying to complete the “process.” The proud orange clad fans deserve these selections. They have supported the Flyers through the thick and thin, and it’s time the fans start reaping some of the benefits. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Flyers Notes:
Defenseman Samuel Morin inked a three-year extension before the draft. The extension is worth $700,000 per season.
