2023 Flyers Development Camp: Day Two

Yesterday, the 2023 Flyers Development Camp began in Voorhees, NJ.

A day later, some things have changed. For one, Tyson Foerster will not wear 18 on his sweater. The Philadelphia Flyers signed Marc Staal to a 1yr/$1.1mil deal, who will retain his number.

The introductions finished yesterday. Here’s how it all went down on the second day of the 2023 Flyers Development Camp.

Denver Barkey

Barkey was not on the ice for the first day of the 2023 Flyers Development Camp. 

He has a sprained ankle. The Flyers will not be rushing him onto the ice.

Last season, Barkey competed with the London Knights in the OHL. He totaled 59 points (22G, 37A) in 61GP before exploding for 24 points (11G, 13A) in another 20GP during the OHL postseason. Barkey was selected in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft at 95th overall.

On Ice

Oliver Bonk is turning heads, showing to be every bit the defenseman Briere sought after with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He didn’t get out of positions during odd-man rush drills versus Zayde Wisdom and Matt Brown.

Hunter McDonald also made an impression with his skating. A sizeable defenseman at 6’4″ and 205lbs, he moved like a breeze. McDonald was a sixth-round find by Chuck Fletcher at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

“I just try to stick to my game; be physical, but I can definitely make plays. [I’m] a bigger guy, but [I] can still skate and move.”

Hunter McDonald; 7/3/2023

Bobby Brink found his groove, showing his recovery from a torn left labrum as he crossed through the ice, challenging Bonk on the way to a goal.

Alex Bump continues to impress. He buried a quick snapshot from the wing to the approval of those in attendance at the Flyers Training Center. Selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at 133rd overall, Bump split his time last season between the Omaha Lancers and Tri-City Storm in the USHL, totaling 39 points (14G, 25A) in 48GP. He is committed to the University of Vermont in 2023-2024.

Elliot Desnoyers

Desnoyers recalled to the Flyers lineup for a brief sample size in 2022-2023. He didn’t record a point in his 4GP in the NHL, but during his stint, Desnoyers noted what he must improve upon to translate his game to the next level.

In 2022-2023 with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Desnoyers played with other skaters recalled to the Flyers roster. One forward who had prior experience in the NHL was Brink. For a second opinion about Brink, Desnoyers said that he seemed comfortable in his 41GP:

“I always knew Bob was a super skilled player. He’s everything on the ice; [he’s] super skilled and fast as well. Trying to learn from him because he’s one year older and he’s been around for a longer time.”

Elliot Desnoyers; 7/3/2023

One of the more effective two-way forwards upcoming in the Flyers’ system, Desnoyers found his scoring stroke with the Phantoms, totaling 44 points (23G, 21A) in 65GP.

JR Avon

Avon set up Brink for his dash to the net past Bonk. It was a blink-and-you-‘ll-miss-it drop pass, a smooth offensive look by Avon.

In 2021, Avon signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers, sliding for two seasons. The first season that’ll burn from his contract is the upcoming season, where he hopes to jump to the AHL. He spent 2022-2023 with the Peterborough Petes in the OHL.

With the Petes, Avon had the ‘A’ stitched on his sweater, totaling 60 points (29G, 31A) in 59GP before adding 15 points (9G, 6A) in 23GP during the OHL postseason.

(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)