The Flyers’ 2023 rookie training camp kicked off today in Voorhees, New Jersey. Like last year, the camp will feature games for the Flyers against the Rangers’ prospects up the road at PPL Center. Tyson Foerster, Elliot Desnoyers, Bobby Brink, and Emil Andrae headline the Flyers’ rookie camp roster.
All four could make the Flyer’s opening day roster as this year’s rookie camp should be one of the most telling the Flyers have had in years. Foerster owns arguably the best shot in the organization and turned some heads last season when he was given an 8-game stint.
The Immediate Future
Desnoyers, Brink, and Andrae also earned a look with the Flyers last season. These players represent the “immediate future” of the Flyers as the organization looks to get off to a fast start in the rebuild. Other rookies will also seek to be noticed in this year’s camp.
Oliver Bonk was drafted 22nd overall back in June after the Flyers used pick No. 7 on Russian phenom Matvei Michkov. He has the skating and two-way style that projects him to become a potential top-paring defenseman. Still, he’ll need a couple more years of development in Canadian Juniors and maybe some more with the Phantoms later before getting there.
Junior goaltender Carson Bjarnasson, who the Flyers picked up in the second round of the draft this past summer, will also be there to get an early run of work in with the organization. Denver Barkey the selection of Denver Barkey in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft in June drew praise. Unfortunately, when development camp rolled around, Barkey was not able to participate in on-ice drills.
Alexis Gendron the 2022 seventh-round pick of the Flyers signed his entry-level deal this past offseason and is coming off his final season in the QMJHL, scoring 55 goals and 81 points in 63 games between Blainville-Boisbriand and Gatineau.
Gendron will be ticketed for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms roster following camp, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in a significant role in the upcoming rookie games or getting a look in the preseason.
Looking For A Look
Helge Grans the prospect that came in return from the Los Angeles Kings in the Ivan Provorov trade, Grans could see his season go a variety of directions. He could potentially make the Flyers roster – he does have two AHL seasons with the Ontario Reign under his belt. He could also be ticketed for Lehigh Valley as more of a veteran on the blue line for an AHL roster.
Ethan Samson the 2021 sixth-round pick has risen through the Flyers prospect rankings with the help of a point-per-game season with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, posting 18 goals and 60 points in 60 games. Now set to begin his professional career, Samson is likely heading for the Phantoms, but camp provides an opportunity to see just how much his skills meet the level of competition at this stage of his development.
Practices will be held at Flyers Training Center and are open to the public, free of charge. Below are the full details on rookie camp:
Schedule
• Thursday, Sept. 14 — Practice, 11:30 a.m. ET
• Friday, Sept. 15 — Morning skate, 10:30 a.m. ET (at Flyers Training Center)
• Friday, Sept. 15 — First rookie game vs. Rangers at PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday, Sept. 16 — Second rookie game vs. Rangers at PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, 5:05 p.m. ET (NBCSP+)
• Sunday, Sept. 17 — Practice, 10 a.m. ET
• Monday, Sept. 18 — Practice, 11 a.m. ET
• Tuesday, Sept. 19 — Practice, 11 a.m. ET
Matt Bednarczyk is your host of Talking Philly Sports With Matty B. He is a proud retired US Army Sergeant First Class, he is also a combat veteran with over 80 months served in Afganistan, and Iraq . Huge Hockey Fan. Matt is a lifelong 4 for 4 Philly sports fan. Born and raised on the Mayfair and Tacony neighborhood lines of Northeast Philly. He brings over 40 years of Philadelphia Sports passion and provides a realistic look at our Major Sports Teams and the most passionate sports fans on the planet. Look for his show live on Edge of Philly Sports.
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