Larry Henry Jr
The Philadelphia Flyers have continued to remain busy this summer ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.
2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko signed a three-year entry level deal, the team announced. The 18-year-old forward was selected No. 13 overall by the Flyers at the 2024 NHL Draft.
Luchanko is coming off a stellar 2023-24 season with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He registered 74 points (20 goals, 54 assists) in 68 regular season games with the Storm, leading the team in assists and points. He was awarded the William Hanley Trophy for the OHL’s most sportsmanlike player.
Internationally, the native of London, Ontario represented Team Canada in the 2024 Under-18 World Junior Championship. He helped Canada with a gold medal, posting two goals and five assists in seven games.
Here is a run down of all of the recent Flyers news:
Flyers re-sign forward Bobby Brink, defenseman Egor Zamula
Forward Bobby Brink re-signed with the Flyers on a two-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $1.5 million.
The 22-year-old spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Flyers, totaling 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 57 regular-season games. He ranked tied for fourth among NHL rookies in game-winning goals and tied for sixth in power-play goals.
Brink also spent parts of the season with AHL affiliate, Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He is a former second round pick by the Flyers in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Defenseman Egor Zamula signed a two-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $1.7 million, the team announced.
Zamula, 24 totaled 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 66 regular season games with the Flyers this past season. A 6-feet-3 defenseman, Zamula has featured in parts of four seasons with the Flyers.
He went undrafted and originally signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers in September 2018. Zamula then re-signed a one-year deal in May 2023.
Flyers add center Anthony Richard to two-year contract
The Flyers added center Anthony Richard to a two-year, two-way contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $775,000.
The 27-year-old Richard spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL), posting 55 points (25 goals, 30 assists) in 59 regular-season games. He ranked second on the team in goals, third in points, and fourth in assists.
Richard also recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in nine games with the Boston Bruins last season.
A 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward, Richard has totaled 300 points in 481 career AHL games in parts of nine seasons.
He will add depth to the Flyers forward corps.
Flyers sign Garnet Hathaway to contract extension
Forward Garnet Hathaway extended his stay in Philadelphia, signing a two-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.4 million.
Hathaway’s contract will officially begin during the 2025-26 season. He originally joined the team last July, signing a two-year deal. The 32-year-old collected 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 82 regular-season games for the Flyers in 2023-24. He led the team with 326 hits, which ranked as the second-most in the NHL.
“Garnet has been a great addition to our team and we’re very happy to extend him to be a Flyer for the next several seasons,” said Flyers general manager Danny Brière. “His style of play and level of professionalism had a big effect on our group last season, and he embodies the standard our team set out to build both on and off the ice.”
Hathaway remains a key veteran piece on the Flyers roster.
Defenseman Erik Johnson signs one-year deal
Defenseman Erik Johnson is staying in Philadelphia.
Johnson, 35, signed a one-year contract worth $1 million, the team announced. He arrived in Philadelphia at the trade deadline last season in a deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Johnson proceeded to make 17 appearances for the Orange and Black, averaging 16:26 of ice time, scoring two goals, and adding one assist.
“We’re very happy to bring Erik back for next season,” said Brière. “Since arriving at the deadline, Erik has fit seamlessly into our locker room and logged important minutes for us. His presence and championship experience, especially for our defensive core of players, will be valuable for our team throughout an entire season.”
The 6-foot-4 veteran has played in over 987 regular season games.
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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