Position: Goaltender
Age: 22
Drafted: 6th Round - 109th overall in 2006
Current Club: Ceske Budejovice of the Czech Extraliga
Kovar had turned a page this season and many scouts eyes turned as well. After Roman Turek left Ceske Budejovice, the 22 year old took over as the starter posting a 2.47 goals against average and a .924 save percentage in 52 games.
Hockey Future's player analysis reminds us of another Flyers goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, take a read.
Kovar has the ability to cover a lot of ground with his size and quickness, but has been guilty of playing too far back in his net. He possesses a decent physical makeup, quick reflexes and solid fundamental skills, but will need to learn to better challenge shooters.
4) Harry Zolnierczyk
Position: Left Winger
Age: 23
Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent in 2011
Former Club: Brown University
The former senior captain at Brown University, Zolnierczyk made grounds becoming the Ivy League Player of the Year this past season tallying 31 points in only 30 games. In 16 games with the Phantoms this season he marked up three goals and five assists. The lack of production most likely due to joining the team mid season after finishing his collegiate play.
At 23 Zolnierczyk figures to spend another season with the Phantoms refining his pro game and developing his skills more thoroughly before joining the Flyers. Harry Zolnierczyk has a bit of a rough side to his game as well, in his last season of college he racked up over 120 penalty minutes.
3) Erik Gustafsson
Position: Defense
Age: 22
Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent in 2010
Current Club: Adirondack Phantoms
Fans got a glimpse of their future last season when Gustafsson suited up for 3 games with the Flyers. The 22 year old defenseman has quickly shot up the charts and is now regarded as the Flyers top defensive prospect. A college stand out as captain of the Northern Michigan Wildcats, Gustafsson was signed to a contract and took off with the Phantoms that year notching 2 goals and 5 assists in 5 games.
This season Erik posted 5 goals and 44 assists in 72 games with the Flyers AHL affiliate. You may see Gustafsson with the Flyers as soon as next season playing the role of 7th defenseman aka Danny Syvret's position this past season.
2) Matt Read
Position: Center
Age: 24
Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent in 2011
Former Club: Bemidji State University
Another 2011 college stand out, Matt Read was signed to a three year deal and sent to the Phantoms following his senior year as the captain of Bemidji State. Read came to the Phantoms on a mission and quickly watched his stock sky-rocket, bringing in 13 points on 7 goals in 11 games.
The 24 year old is set to begin the season battling for a spot on the Flyers roster.
In 147 NCAA games, Read tallied 65 goals and added another 76 assists for 141 points and led his team to one frozen four appearance. Don't be surprised if you hear his name during opening night introductions next season.
1) Joacim Eriksson
Position: Goaltender
Age: 21
Drafted: 7th round - 196 overall in 2008
Current Club: Skelleftea HC of the SM-liiga
The rouge power-potential that is Joacim Eriksson is the most talented and questionable prospect in the Flyers organization. After being highly touted in Sweden the goaltender decline to come to Flyers rookie camp, which raised some eyebrows. And now when the Flyers feel he should begin his work in North American hockey, Joacim has decided he will stay another season in Sweden.
Regardless, Eriksson has a huge potential and the Flyers will stay patient with him. This past season he served as a back up in his first professional season, playing with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League. Eriksson posted fair numbers, a 2.56 goals against average to compliment his .906 save percentage in 17 games.
His future may be blurry but the former undisputed junior mega-star will get his chances to make this Flyers team in the years coming. Lets just hope he doesn't wither away all of his monstrous potential. Next season will tell the tale.
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