People said minor pro hockey would never blossom in the shadow of the Philadelphia Flyers, so many were surprised when the
Philadelphia Phantoms began selling out their games in their first season last year.
Even more were in disbelief when the Phantoms shot to the top of the AHL standings. Suddenly, the FLyers had an exciting
proving ground for their young talent.
Now, with coach Bill Barber's energetic bunch back in the AHL lead, for of the Flyers highest rated future players are
playing for all to see at the tradition rich Core States Spectrum.
When 17,000 come to watch you play on a frequent basis, the youngsters get an extra shot of adreneline. "I think we've got
a number of talented players at a variety of levels," said Flyers scouting director John Blackwell. "We've got (Brian)
Boucher in goal, some promising defencemen and several good skaters."
Here are the top 5 prospects in order:
- Brian Boucher, G, Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)
The first-ever goalie chosen by the Flyers in the first round has been tabbed the eventual No. 1 man for the Flyers and
hasn't dissapointed. He was the Western Leauge's goalie of the year last season and also excelled at the World Junior
Championships. This season, he is helping guide the Phantoms to AHL supremecy. "Every year he has moved up." Blackwell
said. "Considering his record with the Phantoms as a first year pro, we just expect that he will continue to improve."
Aquired: 1995 Entry Draft, 22nd overall.
- Jesse Boulerice, LW, Plymouth Whalers(OHL)
If the team had an award for the most improved Flyer prospect, Boulerice might win it. The left winger picked up his scoring
considerably. By late February, he had more goals than his two previous years combined. "He has got a game," Blackwell said.
"He has gone from just being a rough-and-tumble player to being a skilled guy with the puck."
Aquired: 1996 Entry Draft, 133rd overall.
- Brian Wesenberg, RW, Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)
The Flyers gave up to a prospect they liked (Mike Crowley) plus an NHL'er (Anatoli Semenov) to get Wesenberg two years ago.
After a solid career with the Guelph Storm, of the OHL, Wesenberg has made a smooth transistion to minor pro. His penalty
minute totals were third among the Phantom forwards behind vetrans Frank Biolowas and Andre Payette. "He's a player
who has shown he can play the power play and penalty kill in the AHL," Blackwell said, "His energy and his competivness,
along with the ability to handle the next level of hockey, show good promise for the future."
Aquired: Trade with Anahiem, March 19, 1996.
- Paul Healey, RW, Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)
Healey has had brief call-ups with the Flyers each of the last two seasons and continued his solid play with the Phantoms,
where he was second in Phantoms goals. He developed a gritty style while playing with the Prince Albert Raiders, WHL, and
isn't afraid to throw his body around. "Healey can skate," Blackwell said, "He's not a nice guy who's going to make a lot
of plays for you, but you give him a chance, he can go outside or inside and beat you."
Aquired: 1993 Entry Draft, 192nd overall.
- Andy Delmore, D, Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)
Delmore moved to the top of the Flyers' defence prospects list through hard work and concentration on the defensive part of
his game. Delmore has continued to post good numbers, but had the worst plus/minus on the team. "He still has to work on
the defensive side of his game," Blackwell said, "but he has taken some of the good things he learned in junior and moved
them to the next level."
Aquired: Signed as a Free Agent, May 28, 1997.
On The Horizon
- Jean-Marc Pelltier, G, Rimouski (QMJHL)
Only 19 years old, 6'3 200 lbs, he left Cornell University after last season to take over heavy workload in junior hockey.
Aquired: 1997 Entry Draft, 33rd overall.
- Dimitri Tertyshny, D, Yaroslavl (Russia)
21 years old, 6'1, 176. Has progressed nicely in Russia, must come over soon to se if he can play in North America.
Aquired: 1995 Entry Draft, 132nd overall.
- Mikhail Chernov, D, Yaroslavl (Russia)
19 years old, 6-2, 196. No rush on him because he plays on Russias best team and continues to improve.
Aquired: 1997 Entry Draft, 103rd overall.
- Kris Mallette, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
19 years old, 6'3, 220. Big, strong, physical defencemen in the Flyer mold, but must pick up his speed.
Aquired: 1997 Entry Draft, 62nd overall.
- Martin Cerven, C, Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)
20 years old, 6'4, 200. First year pro must pick up intensity, may have future as winger.
Aquired: Trade w/Edmonton, June 18, 1997.
Here are the top 5 prospects in order:
The first-ever goalie chosen by the Flyers in the first round has been tabbed the eventual No. 1 man for the Flyers and
hasn't dissapointed. He was the Western Leauge's goalie of the year last season and also excelled at the World Junior
Championships. This season, he is helping guide the Phantoms to AHL supremecy. "Every year he has moved up." Blackwell
said. "Considering his record with the Phantoms as a first year pro, we just expect that he will continue to improve."
Aquired: 1995 Entry Draft, 22nd overall.
If the team had an award for the most improved Flyer prospect, Boulerice might win it. The left winger picked up his scoring
considerably. By late February, he had more goals than his two previous years combined. "He has got a game," Blackwell said.
"He has gone from just being a rough-and-tumble player to being a skilled guy with the puck."
Aquired: 1996 Entry Draft, 133rd overall.
The Flyers gave up to a prospect they liked (Mike Crowley) plus an NHL'er (Anatoli Semenov) to get Wesenberg two years ago.
After a solid career with the Guelph Storm, of the OHL, Wesenberg has made a smooth transistion to minor pro. His penalty
minute totals were third among the Phantom forwards behind vetrans Frank Biolowas and Andre Payette. "He's a player
who has shown he can play the power play and penalty kill in the AHL," Blackwell said, "His energy and his competivness,
along with the ability to handle the next level of hockey, show good promise for the future."
Aquired: Trade with Anahiem, March 19, 1996.
Healey has had brief call-ups with the Flyers each of the last two seasons and continued his solid play with the Phantoms,
where he was second in Phantoms goals. He developed a gritty style while playing with the Prince Albert Raiders, WHL, and
isn't afraid to throw his body around. "Healey can skate," Blackwell said, "He's not a nice guy who's going to make a lot
of plays for you, but you give him a chance, he can go outside or inside and beat you."
Aquired: 1993 Entry Draft, 192nd overall.
Delmore moved to the top of the Flyers' defence prospects list through hard work and concentration on the defensive part of
his game. Delmore has continued to post good numbers, but had the worst plus/minus on the team. "He still has to work on
the defensive side of his game," Blackwell said, "but he has taken some of the good things he learned in junior and moved
them to the next level."
Aquired: Signed as a Free Agent, May 28, 1997.
On The Horizon
Only 19 years old, 6'3 200 lbs, he left Cornell University after last season to take over heavy workload in junior hockey.
Aquired: 1997 Entry Draft, 33rd overall.
21 years old, 6'1, 176. Has progressed nicely in Russia, must come over soon to se if he can play in North America.
Aquired: 1995 Entry Draft, 132nd overall.
19 years old, 6-2, 196. No rush on him because he plays on Russias best team and continues to improve.
Aquired: 1997 Entry Draft, 103rd overall.
19 years old, 6'3, 220. Big, strong, physical defencemen in the Flyer mold, but must pick up his speed.
Aquired: 1997 Entry Draft, 62nd overall.
20 years old, 6'4, 200. First year pro must pick up intensity, may have future as winger.
Aquired: Trade w/Edmonton, June 18, 1997.