PHILADELPHIA – Since the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers began the process of rebuilding their blueline through the draft with high draft picks. Prior to the 2013 draft, one had to go back to the 2008 draft to find out when the Flyers drafted a defenseman higher than the third round. That year the Flyers selected in the first round Luca Sbisa.
The irony is that Sbisa is now part of one of the Flyers most important trades in franchise history. At the 2009 NHL Draft, Sbisa was traded from the Flyers, along with Joffrey Lupul and Philadelphia’s 2009 and 2010 first round picks, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle.
As most people know by now, Pronger was forced to retire due to post-concussion syndrome when he was still a part of the Flyers in 2011 and accepted a role with the team as a scout. Pronger began scouting his successor in the junior ranks. That is where this story gets interesting. Today we look at some of the Flyers top defensive prospects and see where we rank them.
Samuel Morin – As part of Pronger’s scouting trips, he seemingly found a potential candidate to replace him. He encouraged Flyers brass to take Samuel Morin with the 11th overall pick in the draft. Morin is 6’ 7” 220 pounds and is built a lot like Pronger. Injuries have been an issue for Morin but patience might be paying off for him considering the Flyers recent trade of Radko Gudas to the Washington Capitals, as well as the Flyers buying out Andrew MacDonald’s contract.
Morin has made a run or two at making the big club in recent years but this time it might actually happen. Morin is one of the few defensive minded defenseman the Flyers have in their entire system Look for Morin to be patrolling the Flyers next season when training camp ends in October either as a regular in the lineup or as a 7th defenseman.
Philippe Myers – Talk about your pleasant surprises. Myers was not drafted by the Flyers and signed with the team as a free agent on September 15, 2015. His size (6’ 5” 210 lbs.) is perfect for how the Flyers want to build their blueline.
Like Morin, Myers is finally getting his chance to crack the Flyers lineup. Last season he played in 21 games for the orange and black and should be a regular in the lineup or as a seventh defenseman. Being a right-handed shot does not hurt is cause either.
Cam York – York was recently drafted in the first round (14th overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and is a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program. York is a native of Anaheim Hills, Ca and had 65 points (14 goals, 51 assists) in 63 games this year. His Head Coach in minor juniors was Hall-of-Famer Scott Niedermayer and York’s game is compared to former New York Ranger Brian Leetch.
York is headed to the University of Michigan and should be there for two years before turning pro. When he does do not expect him to play in the AHL. York is closer to becoming a regular on the Flyers roster faster than any other defensive prospect in their system.
Adam Ginning – A rock solid defenseman with a physical style of hockey that has Flyers brass drooling. Like Morin, Ginning is perfect for what the Flyers need right now but he is -going to continue playing in the Swedish Elite League for one more season before coming overseas next.
A second round pick (50th overall) in 2018, Ginning is probably the least offensive minded defensemen in the system but that is not a bad thing. Ginning will eventually be paid to knock people into the boards, clear the crease for goaltender Carter Hart, and be a shutdown defenseman.
Wyatte Wylie – An offensive defenseman who once played with Hart with the Everett Silvertps in the Western Hockey league. Last season he had 11 goals and 36 assists in 67 games and was a +33. Another right-handed shot the Flyers covet, Wylie was taken in the fifth round in 2018, but despite being taken so low in the draft, Wylie has a chance at making the Flyers roster one day.
Wylie is heading into his last season in the WHL and will most likely spend at least the early part of his pro career in the AHL before being called up.
Wyatt Kalynuk – Kalynuk was selected by Philadelphia in the seventh round (196th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry draft. Kalynuk has already played two seasons at the University of Wisconsin where he has already been named the team captain for next season. Kalynuk was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team on defense, and was named Spike Carlson/Chris Chelios Most Valuable Player finishing second on the team with nine goals and led the team with 116 shots.
Honorable Mentions: Ronnie Attard and Mason Millman – Both players were selected in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Attard was selected in the third round (72nd overall) and Millman was selected in the fourth round (102nd overall).
Attard is a right-handed shot who was bypassed in the 2017 and 2018 drafts. Attard had a breakout year with 30 goals and 64 points in 48 games and was named the USHL player of the year. Attard will attend Western Michigan.
Millman is considered a very good puck moving defenseman and skater and is more defensive oriented then either York or Attard. Millman had only 3 goals, 22 assists and was a -13 rating. In 2017-18, Millman was named the GOJHL’s (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League) most outstanding first-year defenseman.
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
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