Latest news with #JettLuchanko
New York Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Flyers prospects Jett Luchanko, Alex Bump getting taste of playoff hockey with AHL's Phantoms
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Jett Luchanko didn't get an opportunity to play much high-pressure hockey this season. His junior team, the Guelph Storm, finished in last place in its conference, while Team Canada's stay in the World Junior Championships not only didn't last very long, but Luchanko only skated in a depth role — something that was frustrating for the Philadelphia Flyers brass. Advertisement But Luchanko's getting a taste of it now. The AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms are in a dogfight with the Hershey Bears, the back-to-back defending Calder Cup champions, with a decisive Game 5 set for Sunday evening. Hershey took games 1 and 4, while the Phantoms captured games 2 and 3. 'It's great to be able to play some meaningful hockey,' Luchanko said Friday after the Phantoms lost 6-4 at PPL Arena, squandering a chance to close out the series and move on. 'Didn't get to do that at the end of my (junior) season. Everyone's been great here, really welcoming. It's been a fun time so far.' Friday, though, wasn't all that enjoyable. The Phantoms dug themselves a 3-0 first-period hole, and although they scored twice early in the second to get back into it, the Bears quickly regained control. After dispatching the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the first round by winning the first two games of a three-game series, Luchanko and the Phantoms are finding out what's made Hershey so formidable the past two seasons. That is, the games are much tighter-checking than they were in the first round, while the increased physicality has been evident, particularly when the whistle-happy referees seemed extra vigilant in an attempt to keep Friday's game from getting out of hand. There were a pair of third-period fights and countless scrums after the whistle, as each team tried to set the tone for Sunday's series finale. Yes, this felt like a true playoff game in every sense. 'Yeah, it's tough — they're a really good team, tight-checking team,' Luchanko said. 'It's fun to be able to go up against them and kind of see what they bring.' Competing in this sort of environment is what Flyers general manager Daniel Brière and his staff hoped would materialize when they reassigned guys like Luchanko and fellow prospect Alex Bump to the Phantoms as soon as they could. Luchanko joined on March 27, while Bump arrived on April 15, just days after Western Michigan won an NCAA National Championship. More often than not, they've been on the same line, too. Luchanko and Bump connected for some highlight reel scores in the series against the Penguins, but playing the Bears has been a different story. Luchanko has one assist through four games in the series, while Bump is scoreless. Cap Scratch Fever#RallyTheValley | #LVvsHER | #LVPhantoms — Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) May 4, 2025 Still, the experience of going through it is valuable. 'Means the world for them, because that's playoff hockey,' Phantoms coach Ian Laperrière said. 'You don't have much room out there, you have to do the best that you can with what you have. I think it's only gold for those two kids for their careers down the road to experience that. The Wilkes-Barre series was a little bit more wide open. This one's tighter. That's real hockey.' Advertisement Luchanko, drafted 13th by the Flyers last year and surprisingly made the team out of camp, finished his OHL season with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists) in 46 games. It was a decent total, considering that Guelph was among that league's weaker teams, and won't even turn 19 years old until Aug. 21. The message from the Flyers after he was reassigned back to his junior club in October — following four scoreless games with the Flyers, including one in which he made a good account of himself against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers — was, according to Luchanko, 'to work on all areas of my game and more offensively, as well. That was my goal when I went back: was try to hold onto pucks more, things like that. Trying to work on my shot, as well.' That's an ongoing process, and will likely continue to be. Luchanko is still looking for his first goal with the Phantoms in 15 total regular-season and playoff games headed into Sunday, to go with his eight assists. The 21-year-old Bump, on the other hand, already has three goals in eight Phantoms games, including two in the series against the Penguins, both set up by Luchanko. He's shown flashes, too, of what was his best attribute in college — getting pucks on net. Alex Bump to Jett Luchanko, and back to Alex Bump. Can you say F-U-T-U-R-E, #Flyers fans? @InsideAHLHockey — Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) April 24, 2025 In the Phantoms' 3-0 Game 1 loss to Hershey, Bump registered eight of Lehigh Valley's 26 shots on goal. Even if none of them got past the goaltender, that was exactly what Laperriere wanted to see from the 2022 fifth-round pick that has blossomed into one of the Flyers' top prospects. 'He's a shooter,' Laperrière said. 'He scored two goals against Wilkes-Barre, great shots. Against a team like Hershey, I want pucks on net because it creates some chaos. They're man-on-man, so you want to create chaos. It's no secret, put pucks on net — and he does that.' Advertisement Said Bump: 'Shot first mentality over here, so, yeah, that's usually what I'm thinking in the O-zone.' Of course, things move a little more quickly in the AHL than they did in college. Bump is realizing against the Bears. He had just one shot on goal in Game 4 and none in Game 3. 'College, I felt like I could hang onto the puck a little bit longer,' Bump said. 'I can't out there anymore, which I'm definitely going to have to adjust to, because I loved hanging onto it in college,' he said. 'Just quicker, faster thinking — make the plays quicker.' Both Luchanko and Bump will be players to watch when the Flyers reconvene for training camp in September. Among the forwards on the Phantoms' roster, the two of them may have the best chance of cracking the opening night lineup. In the meantime, they'll keep getting a taste of what pro hockey is like when the temperature is turned up. 'That's why I'm here, so I'm not really walking in blind next year, and I have some experience under my belt,' Bump said. Said Laperrière: 'They can't get frustrated. They have to battle through it. They will get hit because they're good players. They have to learn from it and get better.' (Photo of Jett Luchanko: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flyers' Jett Luchanko Thriving in First True Playoff Experience
Top Philadelphia Flyers forward prospect Jett Luchanko is coming into his own during his first postseason experience as a pro player. Luchanko, 18, is far from a finished product, especially offensively. It may very well take him until his mid-20s to reach his ceiling in that department, but we'd be remiss to ignore the very obvious flashes the Flyers' 2024 first-round pick is displaying in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' Calder Cup playoff run. Believe it or not, Luchanko has made the OHL playoffs with the Guelph Storm before. Twice, in fact. The first time was his D-1 season in 2022-23, and the second was in his D0 (draft year) season in 2023-24. The 18-year-old had only 14 points in 46 games in the 2022-23 season, which was his first season in the OHL. Luchanko and the Storm lost to the Sarnia Sting in six games in the first round, wherein the then-fledgling had one assist. The Storm allowed no fewer than four goals in five of the six games, and lost the first three games by scores of 5-0, 5-4, and 8-4. And, it is worth noting that Luchanko went without a shot on goal in each of the last three games of the aforementioned series against the Sting. Despite the two wins, it was really not much of a competition. Last year, Luchanko's Storm saw the Soo Greyhounds come in and sweep them in four games, notwithstanding Luchanko's three assists in three games to start the series. Now, after having already made his NHL debut with the Flyers, Luchanko is in the midst of his first real playoff experience. One where Luchanko and the Phantoms have something to play for, and where games flat-out mean more for everyone. Many of these AHL players, on the Phantoms and on other teams, are fighting for jobs. Those jobs may be in the NHL or the AHL, but they are jobs. Luchanko himself is a candidate to make the Flyers outright again next season, but he, like his teammates, has to earn that and fight for that. This Calder Cup run is the best place for the Flyers' top forward prospect to strut his stuff before the real fun begins in training camp a few months from now. So far, the London, Ontario, native is taking advantage in a big way. In two playoff games with the Phantoms, Luchanko has racked up four assists, hastily surpassing the three assists he had in nine prior AHL regular season games. Sure, the eight penalty minutes in two games is a minor issue, but everyone would rather Luchanko be involved in plays than not, for better or for worse. Aside from his readily apparent blazing speed, Luchanko has consistently flexed his playmaking chops. In a 5-2 Game 1 win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on April 23, Luchanko showed one of the many things he can do at the peak of his powers. Picking off a Penguins defensive zone turnover at his offensive blueline, Luchanko took possession of a loose puck and wheeled down the right wing boards, eventually gaining the zone 1-on-4. After using his speed to circle deep into the zone and behind the net, Luchanko pulled up at the left circle, whipping a pass through five Penguins defenders and teammate Garrett Wilson to find Anthony Richard at the right circle for a one-timer goal. JETT LUCHANKO OH MY GOODNESS. WHAT A CROSS ICE FEED TO ANTHONY RICHARD.#LetsGoFlyers — Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) April 24, 2025 This element of Luchanko's game has been a strength of his since the Flyers drafted him in June, but the two question marks that need the most work are his shooting and consistency. In 15 professional games between the Flyers and Phantoms, Luchanko has yet to find his first pro goal to complement his seven assists. For instance, Luchanko failed to record a shot on goal in the Game 1 against the Penguins referenced above despite recording two assists on the evening. In Game 2, Luchanko picked up another two assists, including the secondary helper on the game-winner scored by defenseman Helge Grans, while also adding three shots on goal. Before this, Luchanko had gone three games in a row without a shot on goal. Good or bad, this is all useful information for the Flyers. The more Luchanko plays, the easier it will be to pick up on his habits and pick things out to improve or continue. In Game 2, for example, Grans enters the zone on his own before executing a drop pass to a trailing Luchanko. After pivoting inside, Luchanko makes a nice heads-up play to find Richard cutting to the back post. Some players might opt to pull up and shoot a puck through heavy traffic, but it is clear that Luchanko's first offensive instinct is to defer and look for another pass. Grans backhand no look game winner from HIS KNEES?! Are you SERIOUS?!#RallyTheValley | #LVvsWBS | #LVPhantoms — Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) April 26, 2025 This works out for Luchanko, as he has the skill to pull off such a high-difficulty pass to create a big scoring chance for his teammate. He gets bonus points for the assist, as Grans was able to turn around and swat a juicy rebound into the goal to win the game. At the NHL level, Luchanko will have to add more wrinkles to his game to thrive on the stat sheet, but at the AHL level, his vision, speed, and passing abilities are too hot for the average player to handle. Luchanko's processing speed and decision-making have shown clear progress, and perhaps the Flyers' top forward prospect is willing himself to an even higher gear in these playoff games. These are the kind of things a Flyers organization starved of playoff hockey wants to see from its up-and-coming players. Which players want to be here and want to succeed here? Who can push themselves and their teammates to another gear when the stakes are raised? Right now, it looks like Luchanko is indeed a prospect capable of accomplishing this in Philadelphia, and that has to be an encouraging feeling for this Flyers front office.
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ian Laperriere discusses progress of Flyers prospects, the coaching vacancy and more
Unlike their parent club, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms are preparing for the playoffs. The AHL Phantoms clinched their spot this week, although they don't yet have a first-round opponent for what will be a best-of-three opening series. They're also getting some reinforcements. Last year's Flyers first-round pick, Jett Luchanko, is there, Rodrigo Abols and Olle Lycksell were reassigned from the Flyers this week, Emil Andrae could return after the NHL season is over, and highly regarded prospect Alex Bump likely will sign after the NCAA Frozen Four. Advertisement 'Our skill level is going to go up, and guys' roles are going to change a little bit, but it's for the best,' coach Ian Laperriere said. 'I think the timing is great.' Laperriere is in his fourth season as head coach of the Phantoms, 33-27-8 this season, and chatted by phone with The Athletic for a few minutes on Thursday morning. (Some questions and responses here have been lightly edited for clarity.) What have been the strengths and weaknesses of this season's Phantoms? I think our D core (has been a strength). When we defend hard, that's when we're at our best. When we do defend hard, we don't spend time in our zone and have more time to create offense. We've had problems scoring goals even when we had everybody here, so that's one thing that we can all control, is play good defense. … I'm a big believer that teams that win in the playoffs are good defenders. Hershey won the last two Calder Cups because they defend hard and they don't spend time in their zone. When we're at our best, that's the way we play. You recently got Jett Luchanko added to your roster. How has he been so far? I was impressed in (training) camp and I'm even more impressed now. His maturity, for an 18-year-old kid… He came to us with great details, and his speed is welcomed here. Especially down the middle, where we don't have that speed, he does bring that. For me as a coach, it's more his maturity away from the puck, supporting everybody. He's got all the tools. He's playing a lot, so he's a big part of our team. That was my message when he got to us — you're not coming here just to learn your way in the American League. You're going to be a big part of what we want to do here. So far, he has been. I know there was room for him to improve on his shot and finish. Does it look like that part of his game has gotten better from when you saw him last September? I want him to shoot more, to be honest. And I get it, he gets here, new teammates, he wants to please people around him. A couple times, I felt like he could have put the puck on net but he's looking for backdoor plays that our players are not ready for. It's not a skill problem. I think he needs to be a little more selfish and use his shot, because he does have a good shot. I think it's going to come by being here and getting more comfortable and confident. His playmaking ability, I think he really improved in that. He does have passing ability that I didn't notice as much (in training camp), but I'm noticing now, which is great. Advertisement (In five games with the Phantoms, Luchanko has no goals and two assists.) Another guy who is intriguing to Flyers fans is Nikita Grebenkin (acquired from Toronto as part of the Scott Laughton trade). How is he doing? He elevates our skill level, big-time. He makes plays, he's strong on the puck. He reminds me a little of Olle Lycksell, the way he plays the game. He might be a little bit bigger, but he's a puck-possession guy, looking to make plays. That's another kid that makes us better, which is a good move for the organization down the road. He's a baby, 21 years old. He's going to have a shot at one point with the big club. And wait until you meet that kid. Personality-wise, he's amazing. I know you're using him on the power play. Is that a big part of his game? Yes. He's a flank guy, he comes down the strong side. He's got good vision, a good shot. That's another kid, I'd like him to shoot a little bit more. He's a playmaking guy first, and hopefully the more he gets comfortable, he'll use his shot a little bit more. (In eight games since the trade, Grebenkin has three goals and two assists with the Phantoms.) Hunter McDonald seems to be a guy that the organization is high on, particularly with his size on the blue line. Has he made progress? Mac's been improving. It's his first pro year. Ups and downs, which is fine, but he's been solid all year. He's not afraid of fighting when it's for the right reasons. He plays hard. That's a kid that we have to tell him to relax a little bit, but I welcome that. It's easier to (coach) a kid with too much juice than someone who doesn't have enough juice. Played with Louis Belpedio all year, who's a good veteran to have on his side and helping him. He's been improving all year. For him, it's a big adjustment. In college, you go from 40 games to 72 games, and big minutes. He's been going the right direction. Advertisement (In 67 games with the Phantoms, McDonald has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points, and 93 penalty minutes.) Is there someone that's maybe a bit under the radar who's taken a big step forward? (Zayde) Wisdom. He's been great. Last year I couldn't play him. We had too many guys and his game wasn't quite the way it is now. I checked on him this summer, and he told me, 'Lappy, I'm going to come to camp and make the team, and I'll stay in the lineup.' And he walked the walked. He's been our most consistent forward. He's been great. I can't say enough good things about him, because often guys talk, but don't walk the walk. But he came to camp, had a great camp, and was healthy-scratched at the beginning of the year, but when he got in I couldn't take him out. He's playing the right way, playing hard, and he's a team-first guy. Everything I love about a guy. (In 64 games, Wisdom, a fourth-round pick of the Flyers in 2020, has 13 goals and 30 points.) Anyone else? (Jacob) Gaucher has been a guy that got an NHL contract out of his season. He's a great story — an undrafted guy, and a great story for the organization actually. If you show the Flyers that if you do the job, you'll get rewarded. He's been great. Gendron has scored 20 goals as a 21-year-old. He's been improving away from the puck. He's scored goals everywhere he's been. But we all know pro hockey, there's more to it. He's giving himself a chance to maybe one day, if he keeps going like that, to have a sniff at the NHL. (Gaucher, who signed a two-year, entry level contract with the Flyers on Dec. 12, is second on the Phantoms in scoring with 36 points — 20 goals, 16 assists — in 67 games. Gendron has 20 goals and eight assists in 61 games.) The Flyers obviously have a head coaching vacancy now. Are you interested in that job? I'd love to have that job, for sure. I want to coach at the best level. It's in (GM Daniel Briere's) hands and we'll see what happens at the end of the year. I'm focusing on taking this team as far as I can. But to be honest, transparent — for sure. Who wouldn't want that job? I love the Flyers and that's a job I'd like. At the end of the day I'm trying to stay in the moment, and we'll see what happens tomorrow.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vancouver Canucks Prospects Power Barrie Past Guelph
There was a tightly contested battle in the Ontario Hockey League on Wednesday night, Feb. 26, between one of the top teams in the East, and one of the worst teams in the West. The Barrie Colts marched their way into the Sleeman Centre to take on the rebuilding Guelph Storm. These two franchises met earlier in the year back on Oct. 26 in Barrie where the Colts handily defeated the Storm 6-1 thanks to a two-goal three-point performance by Dallas Stars prospect Brad Gardiner. Gardiner scored 52 seconds into that game. Their rematch on Wednesday took a bit longer until the deadlock was broken. Vancouver Canucks 2024 fourth-rounder Riley Patterson opened the scoring 5:15 into the second period off a perfect set dump-in play by 2025 NHL draft top prospect Kashawn Aitcheson. The Colts score on a crazy bounce 🚨😱The puck takes a wild bounce on the dump in and right to @Canucks prospect Riley Patterson who puts home his 23rd goal of the season to give the @OHLBarrieColts a 1-0 lead!#OHL | @CHLHockey — Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 27, 2025 Patterson read the play beautifully and scored his team-leading 23rd of the season. Off the ensuing faceoff, Guelph stormed (pun intended) back, tying the game up just 24 seconds later with Jake Karabela's eighth of the season. Philadelphia Flyers 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko has had a challenging season in Guelph. He has been surrounded by limited talent and has had to lead his team's offensive effort in every game. Five minutes after Karabela's goal, Luchanko read Barrie's reversal behind the net, intercepted the pass, and circled around the net before sniping it over the shoulder of Ben Hrebik to give Guelph a 2-1 lead. THE STORM TAKE THE LEAD 🚨@NHLFlyers prospect Jett Luchanko takes the buck from behind the net, steps out in front and snipes it short side into the Barrie net for his 18th goal of the season to give the @Storm_City a 2-1 lead!#OHL | @CHLHockey — Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 27, 2025 The Colts management went all in before the trade deadline and brought in two players who played pivotal roles in the North Bay Battalion's last two playoff runs to the Eastern Conference Finals: Owen Van Steensel and Anthony Romani. Van Steensel, committed to Clarkson University for next season, sprung on a breakaway later in the period. He went forehand-backhand to score his 16th of the season and tie the game up 2-2. Luchanko's rise in the NHL draft rankings at the last minute can be attributed to his outstanding performance at the 2024 draft combine. He showcased his athletic abilities by finishing first in three events. Luchanko flashed his athleticism and explosive straight-line speed one minute into the third period with a highlight-reel goal for his second of the game. Moves like Jett 🕺@NHLFlyers prospect and @Storm_City captain Jett Luchanko shows off his skills as he speeds down the ice and dangles the defender before powering his way to a goal to earn the #BestOfOHL clip of the night!#OHLxMilkUP | @MilkUPOntario — Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 27, 2025 Guelph came into the game 28 points behind Barrie in the overall standings. However, they were giving the Colts everything they got and weren't backing down from a team loaded with NHL-drafted prospects. Alas, another one of those NHL-affiliated prospects found the back of the net shortly after Luchanko put the Storm ahead by one. The Vancouver Canucks 2024 sixth-round draft pick, Anthony Romani, corralled the errand puck and walked into the slot. Romani finished last season with the most goals in the regular season with 58. A player with his release cannot be given the time and space in a high-danger area to shoot. Romani made no mistake and ripped home his 11th of the season — ninth since acquired by Barrie — and the game was yet again tied. That goal was also the 100th goal of his OHL career. The Canucks had their prospects all over the scoresheet in this contest and Patterson wasn't satisfied with just the one goal he had scored in the second. Barrie defenseman Grayson Tiller blasted a one-timer from the top of the point on the powerplay. Patterson floated into the eyes of Guelph's young netminder Colin Ellsworth and redirected it in for his second of the game. BARRIE TAKES A LATE LEAD ON THE POWER PLAY 🚨@Canucks prospect Riley Patterson gets his second goal of the game as he tips a point shot in to the net to put the @OHLBarrieColts into the lead with less than five minutes left in regulation!#OHL | @CHLHockey — Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 27, 2025 The Colts had a 4-3 lead with five minutes remaining in the game. In the final two minutes of the third period, Barrie's 6-foot-4 defenseman and intriguing right-shot prospect for the upcoming NHL draft, Evan Passmore, cross-checked Guelph forward Carter Stevens into the boards. The Storm headed to the powerplay down by one. On the 6-on-4 man advantage, Luchanko found Guelph's leading scorer Charlie Paquette back door and tied the game with four seconds left on the clock. Luchanko finished the game with three points and the game's first star. He now has recorded 22 points in his last 13 games. Overtime didn't solve anything and the game needed a shootout to decide the winner. Patterson was stopped on his attempt but his NHL-affiliated Canucks teammate Romani scored on his attempt. Guelph's Lev Katzin also scored and the shootout was headed to a round four. Utah Hockey Club 2024 first-rounder Cole Beaudoin scored the shootout-winner, as the Colts escaped with a 5-4 victory over the Storm. Bookmark The Hockey News OHL site to never miss news, interviews, and any updates around the league.
