Featured Article
Flyers Top 20 prospects
Written by: Al Alven on 10/02/2005 ![]()
As the Philadelphia Flyers prepare
to enter the world of the post-lockout NHL, there is little question as to where
the strength of the organization’s farm system lies.
With heralded centers Jeff
Carter and Mike Richards leading the way, the Flyers boast their best
collection of young forward talent in at least two decades. Not since the early
1980s, when the organization’s depth chart featured promising (but untested)
names like Rich Tocchet, Ron Sutter, Pelle Eklund, Scott Mellanby and Peter
Zezel has so much hype and anticipation surrounded the development of more than
a handful of promising front-liners.
The aforementioned players, all
drafted between 1982 and 1984, helped form a dynamic core that led the Flyers to
sustained success, including Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 1985 and 1987.
General manager Bob Clarke is banking on his forward prospects of the present –
a group that also includes centers Patrick Sharp, R.J. Umberger
and Ryan Potulny, along with wingers Stefan Ruzicka, Ben
Eager and Steve Downie – to help the Flyers repeat history.
Meanwhile, defense and goaltending
depth – strengths of the organization in recent years – are now perceived as
weaknesses.
With the graduations of Joni
Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg to the NHL roster, the Flyers’ system is very
thin in blue line talent. After promising Alexandre Picard, question marks
in the form of Phantoms mainstays Randy Jones and Freddy Meyer,
second year pro Rosario Ruggeri and Minnesota freshman R.J.
Anderson persist.
The goaltending ranks now consists,
essentially, of the talented-but-unproven duo of Rejean Beauchemin
and Martin Houle, following the decision not to offer contracts to three
amateur netminders during the offseason (see below).
|
Top 20 at a glance
1. Jeff Carter, Center
2. Mike
Richards, Center
3. Patrick Sharp, Center
4. R.J. Umberger, Center
5.
Stefan Ruzicka, Right Wing
6. Alexandre Picard, Defenseman
7. Rejean
Beauchemin, Goaltender
8. Ryan Potulny, Center
9. Randy Jones,
Defenseman
10. Ben Eager, Left Wing
11. Martin Houle, Goaltender
12. Steve Downie, Right Wing
13. Freddy
Meyer, Defenseman
14. Rosario Ruggeri,
Defenseman
15. Ladislav Scurko, Center
16.
Rob Bellamy, Right Wing
17. R.J. Anderson, Defenseman
18. Freddy Cabana, Left Wing
19. David Printz,
Defenseman
20. Alexander Drozdetsky, Right Wing
Key: Rank (previous rank) name,
position - age
Career potential
1. (1) Jeff Carter, C -
20
Career potential: Franchise forward
2004-05
Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| S.S. Marie
Greyhounds |
OHL |
55 |
34 |
40 |
74 |
40 |
+20 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
6 |
E |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
-1 |
21 |
12 |
11 |
23 |
12 |
+10 |
The Flyers’ most heralded forward prospect since Eric Lindros, Carter will make his long-awaited NHL debut this season. According to head coach Ken Hitchcock, he would have been a virtual lock to make the team directly out of training camp last year, had it not been for the lockout. Carter, along with fellow junior phenom Mike Richards, then 19, was ineligible to start the season with the Phantoms and, thus, had little recourse but to return to the OHL for a fourth major junior campaign.
The
These feats merely cemented Carter’s
status as one of the top young hockey players on the planet. Tellingly, he has
already been penciled in by Hitchcock to start the season on the Flyers first
line with all-world center Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne. Such a role will
entail much responsibility and pressure to perform, especially considering
Carter’s complete lack of experience at the right wing
position.
The Flyers feel, however, that
Carter will eventually excel in his new role, and will evolve into a more
complete player for it. The general feeling around the NHL is that the young
center is part of a first-year crop that could be considered the most talented
in league history. Generational talents Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are
(and should be) considered the favorites for the Calder Trophy.
Career potential: Top two-way pivot
2004-05 Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Kitchener
Rangers |
OHL |
43 |
22 |
36 |
58 |
75 |
+9 |
15 |
11 |
17 |
28 |
36 |
+10 |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
– | – | – | – | – | – | 14 |
7 |
8 |
15 |
28 |
+8 |
Keith Primeau had only seen Richards
play in person during a few informal scrimmages at the Flyers practice facility
in
Like the organization's other
veteran players and front office personnel, Primeau has been awestruck by the
professional demeanor with which Richards carries himself, the leadership skills
he readily exhibits and the competitive fire that drives him, both on and off
the ice.
It is Richards' reputation as a
winner, however -- he added a Calder Cup with the Phantoms in June to a resume
that already included a Memorial Cup (Kitchener Rangers, 2002-03) and a WJC
title (Team Canada, 2005) -- that has Flyers players, officials and local
newspaper scribes alike gushing about his long-term potential as a franchise
player.
This isn't to say that the road to
NHL stardom will be an easy one for Richards, however. Listed by the Flyers at a
very generous 5'11, 199 lbs., he will have to fight for respect (and every inch
of space on the ice) in the land of the giants. Richards' tenacity and
relentlessly aggressive style of play should do him well in this regard, but
will also bring wear and injury concerns to the forefront.
With injuries to various Flyers veterans during the
early stages of training camp, Ken Hitchcock has had to shuffle his line
combinations on an almost daily basis. One unit that has worked together
extremely well, however, and has already been penciled in for the start of the
regular season, is the line of Richards, Mike Knuble and Jon
Sim.
3. (3) R.J. Umberger, C –
23
Career potential: Second line center
2004-05 Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
80 |
21 |
44 |
65 |
36 |
+19 |
21 |
3 |
7 |
10 |
12 |
+3 |
After sitting out the entire previous season due to a contract dispute with the Vancouver Canucks, Umberger received universal praise for his quick, smooth and effective transition to the AHL game in 2004-05. The former
Umberger led the team in scoring
during the regular season, played in all game situations and earned praise from
his coaches for his emerging ability to lead. It was the
With offensive contributors Carter and
Richards added to the Phantoms roster for the postseason, head coach John
Stevens asked Umberger to focus more on defense, and the task of shutting down
opponents' top lines. Umberger took on the thankless, spotlight-diminishing job
with an impressive level of enthusiasm. Not surprisingly, he proved he could contribute some in the offensive end.
Don't be surprised, however, to hear
Umberger's name mentioned in trade rumors throughout the season. Due to his
potential, age and "affordable" contract figures, he will be an attractable
commodity for teams looking to unload salary in the "new" NHL. He is also a
player who the Flyers, due to their tremendous depth down the middle, could
likely afford to part with if the right deal came along.
4. (5)
Patrick Sharp, C – 23
Career potential: Checking line
forward
2004-05
Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
75 |
23 |
29 |
52 |
80 |
+3 |
21 |
8 |
13 |
21 |
20 |
+9 |
Sharp established himself as a reliable, versatile checking line forward with the Flyers during the final two-thirds of the 2003-04 season. His decision to return to the Phantoms during the lockout, with whom he appeared in 88 games over the course of the previous two years, proved beneficial for both the player and the organization.
Though other players often seemed to grab more of the headlines -- Umberger and local product Tony Voce during the regular season, Carter and Richards throughout the playoffs -- Phantoms head coach John Stevens always viewed Sharp as the team's "go-to" guy.
The former University of Vermont standout scored many big goals for the AHL team last season, most notably the double-overtime winner in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals at Chicago, a tally that put the Phantoms up 2-0 as the series headed back to Philadelphia.
The Flyers were most impressed with Sharp's ability to step up his game and lead in the postseason, the instant and very effective chemistry he developed with Jeff Carter, and the fact that he rated as one of the AHL's most prolific performers in shootout situations, a trait that became all the more important when the NHL officially adapted its new tie-breaking format over the summer.
Sharp is a sure bet to make the Flyers roster out of training camp this season, even with the logjam of quality forwards currently competing for precious few spots. He will have to maintain a healthy level of consistency and effectiveness throughout the season, however, if he hopes to remain with the team for good.
5. (4) Stefan Ruzicka, RW – 20
Career potential: Scoring winger
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Owen Sound Attack
|
OHL |
62 |
37 |
33 |
70 |
61 |
+21 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
14 |
-2 |
Ultra-talented, but plagued by questions about his desire, work ethic, consistency and all-around play, Ruzicka is undoubtedly the "wild card" of the Flyers' organizational depth chart. The Nitra, Slovakia native will begin his pro career this season with the Phantoms in the AHL.
Ruzicka's success at the next level will depend greatly upon his level of focus and ability to string together solid performances (not just game to game, but shift to shift) without disappearing for long stretches of time.
When Ruzicka was "on" during his two-year stint with the Owen Sound Attack, he had few offensive peers in the OHL. In 124 total games, he tallied an extremely well-balanced 71 goals and 71 assists for 142 points, to go along with 124 PIMs.
But Ruzicka is far from a complete player. However, if he can develop into the offensive weapon that the Flyers envision him as, the team will likely be able to live with his defensive shortcomings. Better yet, of course, would be the scenario where Ruzicka takes more of an initiative, and works hard to improve in all areas of his game.
Either way, Ruzicka will be the player to watch this year on the Phantoms. At this stage, he appears to be shaping up as a boom or bust-type prospect.
6. (11) Alexandre Picard, D – 20
Career potential: Second-pairing defenseman
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Halifax
Mooseheads |
QMJHL |
68 |
15 |
23 |
38 |
46 |
+18 |
13 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
14 |
+10 |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
– | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
E |
Picard moves up five slots -- more than any other player on this list -- thanks to a strong finish to his 2004-05 junior season with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads and an impressive (albeit brief) performance with the Phantoms during the Calder Cup finals.
When he was drafted by the Flyers in 2003 (3rd round, 85th overall), Picard was viewed as a solid, all-around defender who did just about everything well, but nothing spectacularly. Over the past two seasons, however, he has shown marked improvement in virtually every aspect of his game, and, ultimately, earned a reputation as one of the top defensemen in the "Q."
Picard made his professional debut this past spring, joining the Phantoms during the Calder Cup Finals (via an ATO) when the team ran into injury problems on the blue line. He played virtually without flaw in two games, cementing his status as the organization's top amateur rearguard and clinching a spot on the Phantoms roster for the 2005-06 season.
He will counted upon to contribute immediately to a blue line unit that has already lost top contributors Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg to the Flyers, and is likely to remain in a state of flux for the foreseeable future. Similar to Jeff Carter and Mike Richards' situations with the Flyers, Picard is a young player whose performance will go a long way in determining the overall success of his team.
7. (7) Rejean Beauchemin, G – 20
Career potential: No. 1 goaltender
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
SO |
GAA |
SP |
GP |
W |
L |
SO |
GAA |
SP |
| Prince Albert
Raiders |
WHL |
54 |
21 |
24 |
4 |
5 |
2.61 |
.901 |
17 |
11 |
6 |
2 |
2.15 |
.919 |
After establishing himself as one of the top netminders in the Canadian junior ranks over the past two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), Beauchemin is set to make his pro debut with the Phantoms. He will share the team's goaltending duties with veteran Jamie Storr, who signed with the Flyers as a free agent in August.
It goes without saying that Beauchemin and Storr have big shoes to fill, as they will replace the popular, Calder Cup-winning duo of Antero Niittymaki and Neil Little. Niittymaki, the MVP of the team's title run, has moved up to the Flyers. Little, the Phantoms' all-time wins leader, opted to continue his career in Finland.
The plan now is for Beauchemin to be eased into the starting role over time, just as Niittymaki was when he arrived with the Phantoms in 2002-03. Storr will likely start in roughly 60 percent of the games this season, though a variety of circumstances could change things.
Injuries to either Niittymaki or Flyers starter Robert Esche would almost certainly necessitate Storr's recall to the NHL team, for instance, allowing Beauchemin to get a modified early test run as the Phantoms' starter.
The Flyers are very high on Beauchemin's character, and ability to deal with adversity, especially after watching him carry mediocre Prince Albert team to WHL playoff performances in each of the past two seasons.
8. (12) Ryan Potulny, C – 21
Career potential: Second line forward
2004-05 Statistics Vs. Conference Overall
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Univ. of Minnesota
|
WCHA |
28 |
15 |
11 |
26 |
14 |
– | 44 |
24 |
17 |
41 |
20 |
– |
Potulny enjoyed a strong sophomore season for perennial powerhouse Minnesota in 2004-05, tying for the team lead in goals (with Danny Irmen) and finishing third in overall points. He proved to be an indispensible factor in helping the Golden Gophers reach the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals, where they ultimately fell to championship runner-up North Dakota.
Most importantly, Potulny played in all of the Golden Gophers' 44 games, showing no ill effects of the knee injury that robbed him of the majority of his freshman campaign. In fact, Potulny's smooth-skating stride seemed better than ever, as he continued to learn to use his speed to burn opposing defenders and draw penalties.
In a relatively surprising development, Potulny actually turned down a contract offer from the Flyers this summer, reasoning that he was not yet ready to turn pro and wanted one more season to round out his game. If all continues to go as planned, the Grand Forks, ND native will make his professional debut, presumably with the Phantoms, in 2006-07.
For now, however, Potulny's focus will be squarely on helping Minnesota to a national title, as his brother Grant (now a third year pro in the Ottawa Senators' system) did as team captain in 2002 and 2003.
9. (10) Randy Jones, D – 24
Career potential: Third-pairing defenseman
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
69 |
5 |
19 |
24 |
32 |
+1 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
+6 |
When a forward is
referred to as being "invisible" on the ice, it is far from a compliment. When a
defenseman earns that distinction, however, it is just the opposite. Over the
course of the past two seasons, Jones has quietly provided the Phantoms with
steady, reliable and effective play on the blue line, game in and game
out.
The Flyers remain very
high on the unspectacular former
Though not blessed
with great skating ability, Jones is, nonetheless, adequate in that regard and
can rush the puck or quarterback a power play with positive results. He is not an
overly physical player, but does not back down from contact and plays a solid
positional game.
Jones is not projected
to be a top defenseman at the NHL level, due mainly to his lack of an abundance
of natural talent and intangibles. The Flyers, however, believe that he can
eventually crack the team as a low-pairing defenseman, or, at worst, as top
Phantoms contributor and call-up candidate.
10. (14) Ben Eager, LW - 21
Career potential: Checking line forward
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
66 |
7 |
10 |
17 |
232 |
+12 |
16 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
71 |
-3 |
There were times during Eager’s rollercoaster rookie season with the Phantoms in 2004-05 where the aggressive young forward showed glimpses of the effective checking line winger/power forward many project him to be. Other times, however, he simply played like, well, a rookie, often struggling to find his assignment and displaying a propensity to take unnecessary chances (and penalties).
This, of course, is all part of the learning process that many up-and-coming players must go through. Overall, Eager showed a lot of promise during his first season in pros, coming to the Phantoms after a fine, four-year junior career with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.
He persevered through several rough stretches, but retained a high-quality work ethic and appeared to gain more confidence as the season wore on. Though overzealous at times, Eager did manage to establish himself as a physical force to be reckoned with from the start of the season. He finished third on the team in PIMs, behind team enforcers Riley Cote and Josh Gratton.
With several key
members of last season’s Calder Cup-winning Phantoms squad moving up to the
Flyers, Eager will be counted upon to step up his game and become a more
effective performer, at both ends of the ice.
11. (13)
Martin Houle, G – 20
Career potential: Backup goaltender
2004-05
Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
SO |
GAA |
SP |
GP |
W |
L |
SO |
GAA |
SP |
| Cape Breton Scr. Eagles | QMJHL |
56 |
26 |
18 |
5 |
6 |
2.51 |
.911 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2.44 |
.905 |
At just 5’11, 175 lbs., Houle has been overlooked and second-guessed at every level, every stage of his hockey career. The talented young goaltender has proven his critics wrong at every turn, but questions about his smallish size and concerns regarding the ability of his game to “translate” at the professional level continue to persist.
An extremely rare stand-up netminder in the butterfly-dominated world of the "Q," Houle has worked extensively with goaltending coach (and former NHLer) Vincent Riendeu on his quickness and lateral movement, qualities that have helped him make up for his lack of size and become a more effective netminder.
Houle finally emerged
from the shadow of former mentor Marc-Andre Fleury in 2004-05, excelling in his
first full season as a starter for
An answer to this
question should come within the next few days.
12. (NR) Steve Downie, RW –
18
Career potential: Checking line forward
2004-05
Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Windsor
Spitfires |
OHL |
61 |
21 |
52 |
73 |
179 |
+1 |
11 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
49 |
-5 |
The Flyers have always put tremendous stock in "character" players.
In
Downie, the Flyers gain a player
seemingly cut from the organization's own cloth, a player, perhaps not
coincidentally, who partially patterns his game after his mother's all-time
favorite player, Bob Clarke himself. Downie is often compared to a young Rick
Tocchet because he lacks an abundance of natural talent, but makes up for it
with his passion, an aggressive style of play, and a strong nose for the
net.
After appearing in 49 games as a
rookie with
13. (NR) Freddy Meyer, D – 24
Career potential: Depth defenseman
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
59 |
6 |
9 |
15 |
71 |
+15 |
21 |
3 |
9 |
12 |
34 |
+11 |
It's amazing what an impressive
performance in the springtime will do for the stock of a young hockey player.
Meyer, who was perhaps the Phantoms' best all-around defenseman during the
team's march to the Calder Cup championship earlier this year, has now, in the
very least, given his critics reason to take pause and reassess their consensus
projection of his ultimate potential.
At
5'10, 190 lbs., questions about
the former
For now, Meyer will continue to serve in his role as
blue line leader for the Phantoms, playing in all game situations while being
counted upon to provide steady (and timely) offensive production. Along with
Randy Jones and veteran John Slaney, however, he will be considered one of the
Flyers' top defensive call-up candidates this season, and may yet get the chance
to prove that he deserves to play regularly at hockey's highest
level.
Career potential: Third-pairing defenseman
2004-05 Statistics
Regular Season
Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Trenton
Titans |
ECHL |
50 |
2 |
12 |
14 |
77 |
+6 |
20 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
26 |
+2 |
| Philadelphia
Phantoms |
AHL |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
– | – | – | – | – | – |
Originally considered a cinch to make the Phantoms roster out of training camp after signing his first pro contract last summer, Ruggeri fell victim to a numbers crunch (brought on by the NHL lockout) and missed the cut. He would go on to spend the campaign with the Trenton Titans in the ECHL, experiencing a number of ups and downs along the way.
The Titans proved to be a talented, yet tremendously inconsistent team that somehow pulled it all together around playoff time, and wound up winning the league championship. Similarly, Ruggeri had his struggles, battled adjustment issues and worked hard to find his place on the team, but ultimately settled in and played his best hockey down the stretch and throughout the postseason.
The Flyers were impressed with Ruggeri’s resolve, along with his sound, steady and aggressive play during the Titans’ Kelly Cup run, and still feel that he has the ability to play in the NHL. It’s coming a year later than originally expected, but the former Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) captain will get a chance to show what he can do for the Phantoms on a full-time basis this season.
15. (18) Ladislav Scurko, C – 19
Career potential: Checking line center
2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason
| Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
+/- |
| Seattle
Thunderbirds |
WHL |
67 |
17 |
25 |
42 |
40 |
+24 |
12 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
10 |
+3 |
The most pleasant surprise in the Flyers’ system two seasons ago was the emergence of Stefan Ruzicka, a Slovakian import who opted to continue his junior career in the OHL. Ironically, history repeated itself in 2004-05, after a fellow Slovak, Scurko, left his hometown Spisska Nova Ves program in favor of the WHL.
Scurko was selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the CHL Import Draft, and went on to quickly establish himself as a steady, two-way center for the team. Though he does not boast the natural talent and offensive flair of Ruzicka, Scurko, who was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (170th overall) of the 2003 entry draft, has shown an ability produce.
The 6’1, 198 lb. forward finished fourth on the Thunderbirds and fifth among WHL rookies in scoring. He is not expected to develop into a major point producer at the pro level, but he is very skilled and, with a season of WHL hockey already under his belt, should become one of the prime offensive contributors for Seattle over the next two years.
16. (NR) Rob Bellamy, RW – 20
Career potential: Checking line forward
2004-05 Statistics Vs. Conference Overall
| Team |
League |


