The Flyers CHL Prospect Report (Sept. 22 – Oct. 15)

Welcome to The Flyers CHL Prospect Report!   

This inaugural edition for the 2023-2024 season covers the period that was in the CHL from Friday September 22nd – Sunday October 15th.

WHL (Western Hockey League) 

Carson Bjarnason #64 (G) – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

SEASONGPWLSOMINSSHSAVGAASAV%
2023-2024    53203031781642.77.921
  • (Sept. 29) Carson Bjarnason returned from Philadelphia Flyers training camp to get his first start of the season as the Brandon Wheat Kings travelled to Moose Jaw to face the Warriors.  Led by a couple of significant 2023 NHL Draft selections, Moose Jaw scored only 1:44 in and held a 2-1 lead after the opening period.  In the second and third periods, Penguins 1st Round pick Brayden Yager and Kraken 2nd Round pick Jagger Firkus extended the lead to 5-1.  Brandon would get a powerplay goal midway through the third, but it was not enough as the Warriors defeated the Wheat Kings 5-2.  Bjarnason finished the game allowing all 5 goals on 36 shots while making 31 saves.
  • (Sept. 30) Carson Bjarnason got the start the following night as the Brandon Wheat Kings debuted new third jerseys and celebrated Truth and Reconciliation Night at home against the Swift Current Broncos.  Brandon got off to a quick start scoring only 42 seconds into the game.  The Wheat Kings would add a powerplay marker to lead 2-0 after the first period.  Taking a 3-1 lead into the third period, the Wheat Kings would allow a quick powerplay goal 48 seconds in to cut the lead to 3-2.  Both teams would trade goals before Brett Hyland added the insurance goal and the Wheat Kings added an empty netter to win the game 6-3.  Bjarnason won his first game of the season and allowed 3 goals on 37 shots while making 34 saves.
  • (Oct. 4) Midweek, the Brandon Wheat Kings once again hosted the Swift Current Broncos but Carson Bjarnason would get the night off in favor of backup Ethan Eskit.  Despite leading 2-1 after the opening period, the remainder of the game was all Broncos on the scoresheet with five unanswered goals as the Wheat Kings would lose the game by a score of 6-2.
  • (Oct. 7) The Brandon Wheat Kings returned to action on Saturday night with Carson Bjarnason getting the start against the visiting Calgary Hitmen on Puck N’ Paws night.  Calgary took the lead on two even strength goals only 22 seconds apart to lead 2-0.  In the second period, Brandon cut the deficit to 2-1 but Calgary restored their two goal advantage to lead 3-1 after forty minutes.  In the third period, Dominik Petr scored twice for his 4th and 5th goals of the season to tie the game 3-3; but Carter MacAdams broke the tie and won the game for the Hitmen by a score of 4-3.  Bjarnason got the loss and allowed 4 goals on 38 shots (34 saves).
  • (Oct. 11) Carson Bjarnason and the Brandon Wheat Kings began their road trip in Alberta as they took on the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  Brandon began the opening period strong with a 17-13 SOG advantage but neither side could find the back of the twine.  The second period was more of the same as both Bjarnason and Hurricanes goaltender Harrison Meneghin steered away 19 and 25 shots respectively.  Lethbridge almost got the go ahead goal in the third period, but the dribbling puck was stopped just before the goal line by Bjarnason and the game would finish 0-0 in regulation.  In overtime, Red Wings first round selection and Wheat Kings Captain Nate Danielson won the game at 3:53 to give Brandon a 1-0 win.  Carson Bjarnason stopped all 36 shots he faced on route to the shutout victory and was named the 2nd Star of the game.

Video courtesy of the WHL   

  • (Oct. 13) The Brandon Wheat Kings road trip continued as they took on the Tri-City Americans.  Tri-City took a 2-0 lead and hoped to get out of the period with a two goal cushion, but Jayden Wiens pulled one back for Brandon to make it 2-1.  In the second period, Dominik Petr continued his hot start as he scored his 6th of the season to tie the game 2-2.  In the third period, Brandon would pull away with two even strength goals and add an empty-netter to defeat the Americans by a score of 5-2.  Carson Bjarnason was solid in the second half of the contest, and finished the game with the win while stopping 29 of 31 shots.  He was named the game’s 3rd Star.
  • (Oct. 14) With four games coming up next week, Carson Bjarnason got the night off as the Brandon Wheat Kings traveled to Spokane to face the Chiefs.  Backup goaltender Ethan Eskit got some support in the opening period as Anthony Wilson scored his first two goals of the season to give Brandon a 2-0 lead.  In the second period, Spokane’s Berkly Catton scored two goals of his own to square the game at 2-2.  Spokane would score the only goal of the final period to hand the Wheat Kings a 3-2 loss.      

Carter Sotheran #59 (D) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

SEASONGPGAPTS+/-SPIM
2023-2024    5224+5812
  • (Sept. 30) Carter Sotheran made his debut this season as the Portland Winterhawks visited the WHL defending champion Seattle Thunderbirds.  Midway through the opening frame, Portland would strike twice in a span of 2:24 to take a 2-0 lead.  In the second period the Thunderbirds would get a shorthanded goal to cut the lead to 3-1, but the Winkerhawks dominated the SOG by a 15-4 margin and took advantage by scoring four times to take a 6-1 lead.  There was no scoring in the third period, and the banner raising ceremony in Seattle was spoiled by Portland as they cruised to a 6-1 victory.  Sotheran finished the game with no points, a +2 rating, 1 SOG, and 2 PIMs (Roughing at 13:04 of the 3rd period).
  • (Oct. 6) The Portland Winterhawks returned to action as they hosted the Everett Silvertips.  James Stefan scored both goals to power Portland to a 2-0 lead in the opening period.  The Winterhawks would extend their lead to 3-0 only 35 seconds into the middle period.  Everett would get on the board to make it 3-1 on a powerplay goal with Carter Sotheran in the penalty box, but the Winterhawks would restore their three goal lead late in the second period.  No scoring occurred in the final period, and the Winterhawks deservedly defeated the Silvertips by a score of 4-1 and dominated the SOG by a margin of 43-26.  Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, an even rating, 1 SOG, and 4 PIMs (High-Sticking at 14:13 of the 2nd period, and Tripping 0:39 of the 3rd period).
  • (Oct. 7) The Portland Winterhawks faced the visiting Vancouver Giants on Saturday night.  While the Giants opened the scoring at 3:11, Portland dominated the period outshooting Vancouver 24-6 and scoring four goals in the process.  Leading 2-1, Carter Sotheran scored his 1st goal of the season at 14:48 with a screened wrist shot to make it 3-1.  Sotheran would also grab an assist on the powerplay as he fed Diego Buttazzoni for his 4th goal of the season to make it 4-1.  The powerplay connection would work once again at 9:04 of the second period as Sotheran would get the lone assist on Buttazzoni’s hat-trick goal to extend the lead to 5-1.  Both teams would add another powerplay goal each, but the Winterhawks dominated the Giants 6-2 and won their fourth straight game.  Sotheran finished the game with 1 goal (GWG) and 2 assists for 3 points, a +2 rating, and 2 SOG.  Sotheran was named the game’s 2nd Star.

Video is courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

Video is courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks 

Video is courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

  • (Oct. 13) The Portland Winterhawks welcomed the Kamloops Blazers to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  The Blazers jumped ahead 1-0 only 48 seconds in, but Portland would respond with two even-strength goals to lead 2-1.  Hudson Darby would add an insurance marker to make it 3-1 in the second period, and Carter Sotheran would pick up a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct at 15:39.  Portland would add a powerplay goal in the third period to seal their 5th straight win by a score of 4-1.  Sotheran finished the game with no points, 2 SOG, and 2 PIMs.
  • (Oct. 15) Going for their 6th straight win, the Portland Winterhawks welcomed the visiting Tri-City Americans to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  This game was all Portland in the opening two periods as the Winterhawks outshot the Americans 30-10.  In the opening period, Portland would score five goals (four at even strength and one powerplay goal) to jump out to a commanding 5-0 lead.  Carter Sotheran scored the powerplay goal on a one-timer from the point for his 2nd goal of the season.  Sotheran would get 4 PIMs in this game including roughing at 19:58 of the first period and a tripping call at 6:22 of the second period.  Tri-City could not capitalize and Portland would add a goal each in the second and third periods to cap a dominating 7-0 win.  Winterhawks goaltender Jan Spunar stopped all 22 shots for the shutout.  Sotheran finishd the game with 1 goal, a +2 rating, 3 SOG, and 4 PIMs.

Video courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)

Matteo Mann #76 (D) – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

SEASONGPGAPTS+/-SPIM
2023-20240000000
  • Matteo Mann sustained an upper body injury during the Philadelphia Flyers rookie game versus the New York Rangers on September 16th.  He has not been in the lineup at all for the Saint John Sea Dogs and is yet to debut for his new QMJHL team.

OHL (Ontario Hockey League)

Oliver Bonk #59 (D) – London Knights (OHL)

SEASONGPGAPTS+/-SPIM
2023-20248066+374

Denver Barkey #86 (RW) – London Knights (OHL)

SEASONGPGAPTS+/-SPIM
2023-202487613+8184
  • (Sept. 29) Both Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey made their debuts for the London Knights as they hosted the Niagara IceDogs at Budweiser Gardens.  Niagara was all over London in the opening period and secured a 20-7 shot advantage.  All they could get for their efforts was the opening goal as goaltender Michael Simpson (acquired from the OHL champion Peterborough Petes) stood tall.  Later in the opening period, Barkey would get his first assist of the season on a nice feed from behind the net on Kasper Halttunen’s powerplay goal to tie the game 1-1.  The only other goal in this contest would come in the second period as Sam O’Reilly would get the game-winner as the Knights defeated the IceDogs 2-1.  Oliver Bonk finished the game with no points, an even rating, and 3 SOG.  Denver Barkey (who played Center in this game) finished with 1 assist, an even rating, 2 SOG, and was 7 of 14 on faceoffs.

Video is courtesy of the London Knights

  • (Sept. 30) The back end of the home and home set shifted to Niagara as the London Knights visited the IceDogs.  In the opening period, London got the only goal via the man advantage as Oliver Bonk drew his first helper of the season on Sam Dickenson’s shot from the point to make it 1-0.  The second period saw Niagara push back and take a 2-1 lead, but London equalized at 13:38 to tie the game 2-2.  In the third period, Kasper Halttunen scored a pair of powerplay goals to make it 4-2.  Denver Barkey would make it consecutive games with an assist as he set up Kaeden Johnston’s 1st of the season to give the Knights a 5-2 victory.  Bonk finished the game with 1 assist, a +1 rating, and 4 SOG.  Barkey ended the game with 1 assist, an even rating, 1 SOG, and was 7 of 13 on faceoffs.

Video is courtesy of the London Knights         

Video is courtesy of the London Knights

  • (Oct. 4) The London Knights made the long trip up to Sault St. Marie as they took on the host Greyhounds.  London would strike first in the opening frame as Max McCue scored his 1st of the season at 13:30.  The Greyhounds would tie it 1-1 in the second period, but Denver Barkey would get a secondary assist on Sam O’Reilly’s powerplay goal at 14:23 to give London a 2-1 lead.  The Greyhounds would tie the game in the third period, but regulation and overtime could not decide the winner.  In the shootout, Barkey and the Knights could not convert on their shootout attempts but Sault St. Marie found the winner through Jack Beck as the Greyhounds defeated the Knights 3-2.  Oliver Bonk finished the game with no points, a -1 rating, and 3 SOG.  Barkey ended up with 1 assist, an even rating, and 2 SOG.  Barkey struggled at the faceoff circle as he only won 2 of 11 draws.
  • (Oct. 6) The London Knights returned to action on Friday night as they hosted the North Bay Battalion.  London began positively and got the opening goal as defenseman Sam Dickenson skated the puck across all three zones and wristed one home.  Oliver Bonk was credited with an assist on the play.  After the goal, North Bay took control of the hockey game with a 14-6 shots advantage and tallying three goals to take a 3-1 lead.  The Knights would respond with a better second period, but were not rewarded on the scoreboard.  In the third period, North Bay added an empty-netter to hand the Knights a 4-1 defeat.  Bonk finished the game with 1 assist, an even rating, 2 SOG, and 2 PIMs (Tripping at 17:19 of the Third period).  Denver Barkey saw his three game point streak snapped as he ended up with no points, a -1 rating, no shots, and was 7 of 11 on faceoffs.
  • (Oct. 7) On Saturday night, the London Knights welcomed the visiting Guelph Storm to Budweiser Gardens.  Denver Barkey was moved back to the wing on the opening lineup card.  The move paid immediate dividends as Barkey opened the scoring with his 1st of the season at 7:14 as he tipped in a point shot from Oliver Bonk.  The second period saw both teams score to make it 2-1 for London, but Ruslan Gazizov would make it 3-1 as he took a nice pass from Barkey to convert on a two-on-one.  In the third period, Barkey would cap off a great night with an empty net goal for his second goal of the game and ensure the London Knights a 4-1 victory.  London put forward a great defensive effort in front of goaltender Michael Simpson as they outshot Guelph 30-16.  Bonk finished the game with 1 assist, a +2 rating, and 2 SOG.  Barkey had 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points, a +3 rating, 7 SOG, and was 3 of 5 on faceoffs.  He also received 2 PIMs for unsportsmanlike conduct in the final minutes of the game.  Barkey was named the 1st Star of the match.

Video courtesy of the London Knights

Video courtesy of the London Knights

  • (Oct. 12) The London Knights and goaltender Michael Simpson travelled to face his former team the Peterborough Petes.  After a scoreless opening period, the Knights would open the scoring as Denver Barkey sprang Toronto Maple Leafs 1st Round pick Easton Cowan scored his 1st goal of the season.  The Petes would respond with a late goal in the second period and a shorthanded goal 58 seconds into the third period to lead 2-1.  With an extra attacker in the closing moments, Barkey would grab his second assist of the game as Sam Dickenson blasted home his 3rd of the season to tie the game 2-2 and force overtime.  In the extra period, defenseman Isaiah George would complete the comeback with a secondary assist from Oliver Bonk as the London Knights defeated the Petes 3-2.  Barkey finished the game with 2 assists, a +1 rating, and 4 SOG.  Bonk had 1 assist, a +2 rating, 3 SOG, and 2 PIMs (Delay of Game at 7:58 of the Second period).
  • (Oct. 13) The London Knights returned home to take on the Kingston Frontenacs.  Despite being outshot in every period to a total of 36-27, the Knights completely dominated the game on the scoresheet.  Denver Barkey got the scoring started 26 seconds in with a powerplay goal for his 3rd of the season (and a secondary assist going to Oliver Bonk).  The Knights would add two more in the opening period to lead 3-0.  In the second period, Barkey would strike again while shorthanded for his 4th of the season.  Bonk would pick up his second assist of the night on Kasper Halttunen’s powerplay goal to make it 5-0.  The Frontenacs would score in the third period, but the Knights kept pushing for more as the final score was a lopsided 8-1 victory for the London Knights.  Bonk finished the game with 2 assists, an even rating, and no SOG.  Barkey scored 2 goals, had a +3 rating, and 2 SOG.  Barkey was named the 3rd Star of the game.

Video is courtesy of the London Knights 

  • (Oct. 14) Playing their third game in three nights, the London Knights travelled to face the Sarnia Sting.  The opening period was scoreless, but the Knights had numerous opportunities stymied by goaltender Nick Surzycia.  In the second period, Sarnia got on the board as a point shot was not cleared by Oliver Bonk in front and the Sting capitalized.  Bonk’s goalless drought continued as Denver Barkey set up Bonk for a glorious chance in the slot that he could not convert.  Down 2-0, Easton Cowan set up Barkey in the slot who converted his 5th goal of the season.  But the Sting would add another only 23 seconds later to take a 3-1 lead after forty minutes.  Down 4-1 in the third period, Barkey would tally his second goal of the evening once again from Cowan and in the slot to make it 4-2.  Barkey would find the puck on his stick in a sea of players in front to slide home his first career hat-trick and 7th goal of the season to cut the lead to 4-3.  But the Sting would add another goal later in the frame to hand the Knights a 5-3 defeat with lots of penalties handed out in the closing moments.  Bonk finished the game with no points, a -1 rating, 4 SOG, and 2 PIMs (Roughing at 19:41 of the Third period).  Barkey had a great game as he finished with 3 goals, a +2 rating, 6 SOG, and 2 PIMs (High-sticking at 12:46 of the Second period).  Barkey was awarded the game’s 1st Star. 

Video courtesy of the London Knights

Video courtesy of the London Knights

BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League)

Ryan MacPherson #7 (C) – Penticton Vees (BCHL)

SEASONGPGAPTSPIM
2023-2024975120
  • (Sept. 22) The Penticton Vees and Ryan MacPherson began their season on the road as they took on the West Kelowna Warriors.  West Kelowna led 1-0 after 20 minutes, but Warriors goaltender Rorke Applebee made some key stops on some high danger chances with the Vees outshooting the hosts 11-9.  In the second period, Connor MacPherson (Ryan’s brother) would dig the puck out of the corner and center a feed to Simon Meier to tie the game 1-1.  The Warriors would take the lead before the break, but the Vees tied the game 2-2 with a powerplay goal early in the third period.  Both teams would trade goals but once West Kelowna took the 4-3 lead, Connor MacPherson was called for a dive and the Vees could not recover.  West Kelowna defeated Penticton by a score of 5-3.  MacPherson finished the game with no points in his BCHL debut.
  • (Sept. 23) The following night, Penticton was back in action as they visited the Merritt Centennials.  Connor MacPherson would score his first of the season off a nifty feed from Ryan MacPherson who got his first assist and point of the season.  With the Vees leading 2-0 after one period, the second period turned into the Ryan MacPherson show once it became 3-0.  MacPherson would score three consecutive goals (two at even strength and one on the powerplay) to extend Penticton’s lead to 6-0.  That would end up being the final score and Ryan MacPherson finished the game with 3 goals and 1 assist for 4 points and was named the First Star of the contest.

Video is courtesy of the BCHL

  • (Sept. 29) Another game on the road for the Penticton Vees as they took on the Nanaimo Clippers.  Nanaimo would lead 3-1 by the middle of the second period, but the Vees would respond with an even strength goal and a short-handed goal to tie the game 3-3.  Penticton would outshoot Nanaimo 8-4 in the third period but could not stop the game from heading to overtime.  In overtime, Ryan MacPherson would get a secondary assist on the powerplay to help the Vees defeat the Clippers 4-3.  MacPherson finished the game with 1 assist.

Video is courtesy of the BCHL

  • (Sept. 30) The Penticton Vees played their fourth straight road game of the season as they travelled to face the Powell River Kings.  The Kings would take a 1-0 lead only 2:14 into the game, but Ryan MacPherson would score his 4th goal of the season by slamming home a powerplay goal from the right of the net to tie the game 1-1.  After no scoring in the second period, MacPherson would score his second goal of the game (5th of the season) while shorthanded on a breakaway to give the Vees a 2-1 lead at 8:42 of the third period.  The Kings would tie the game late with another powerplay goal to end regulation with the score 2-2.  Overtime would solve nothing, and in the shootout the Vees could not convert any of their three shootout attempts (including one fanned by Ryan MacPherson) and Powell River would take the 3-2 shootout win.  Ryan MacPherson finished the game with 2 goals.

Video is courtesy of the Powell River Kings

  • (Oct. 6) The home opener finally arrived for the Penticton Vees as they hosted the Trail Smoke Eaters.  After a 1-1 opening period, Trail would take a 2-1 lead with a powerplay goal but the Vees would respond with two goals in 2:34 to lead 3-2 after forty minutes.  The Smoke Eaters would convert on the powerplay to tie the game 3-3 in the third period with no more scoring occurring in regulation.  In overtime, the Vees would send the home crowd home happy as Callum Arnott would win the game 4-3 with his 3rd of the season.  Ryan MacPherson would finish the game with no points.
  • (Oct.7)  Saturday night had the back end of a home and home set as the Penticton Vees travelled to face the Trail Smoke Eaters.  The Vees began the game well as Ryan MacPherson scored a powerplay goal 4:03 in for his 6th goal of the season.  Penticton would double the lead to 2-0 with an even strength goal at 17:27 by Anselmo Rego.  In the second period, Trail would tie the game 2-2 with goals 1:12 apart at even strength.  Penticton would regain the 3-2 lead with a powerplay goal by Leon Matthiasson, but Trail would tie the game 3-3 at 16:33.  Regulation time ended with no goals in the third period and the game still tied 3-3.  In overtime, Adam Parsons would secure the 4-3 victory for Trail as the Smoke Eaters had the only shots in the extra frame.  Ryan MacPherson ended the game with 1 goal.
  • (Oct. 11) The Penticton Vees hosted the Prince George Spruce Kings at the South Okanagan Events Centre.  The opening period was scoreless, but the Vees dominated the frame by outshooting the Spruce Kings 15-4.  The second period broke open as both teams scored at even strength less than five minutes in.  The Vees would score on the powerplay through James Fisher’s 2nd of the game with a secondary assist going to Ryan MacPherson.  With a 3-2 lead in the third period, Fisher would complete the hat-trick with his 5th goal of the season (while adding 6 PIMs for Roughing) as the Vees would defeat the Spruce Kings 5-2.  Ryan MacPherson finished the game with 1 assist.
  • (Oct. 13) The Penticton Vees hit the road on Friday night as they faced the Cranbrook Elks.  Cranbrook would score the only goal of the opening period on an impossible angle that Vees goaltender Will Ingemann would want back.  In the second period, Cranbrook would double their lead but Anselmo Rego would score his 2nd of the season on a breakaway to cut the deficit to 2-1.  In the third period, the Vees would outshoot the Elks 18-6 and score three goals to win the game 4-2.  Ryan MacPherson would finish the game with 1 assist on an empty-netter at 19:55 of the third period.
  • (Oct. 14) The Penticton Vees were on the road as they faced the Trail Smoke Eaters.  Penticton would outshoot Trail 8-7 in the opening frame, but Trail would convert on two powerplays to lead 2-1.  The Vees goal in the opening period would be at even strength by Connor MacPherson with a primary assist going to his brother Ryan MacPherson.  Penticton would score five consecutive goals (two in the second period and three in the third) to take a commanding 6-2 lead.  The sixth goal for the Vees was scored by Ryan MacPherson at 17:04 of the third period and was his 7th goal of the season.  Trail would get a late one back, but the Vees were good value on this night as they won the game by a score of 6-3.  Ryan MacPherson finished the game with 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points.  He was also named the game’s 2nd Star.     

***

Hope you enjoyed this inaugural edition of The Flyers CHL Prospect Report.

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Until next time from BrotherlyPuck.com,

I remain,

Manny Benevides

@mannybenevides

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