Flyers Select Jett Luchanko 13th-Overall In 2024 NHL Draft
The Philadelphia Flyers selected forward Jett Luchanko of the Guelph Storm with the 13th-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas.
Philadelphia product Michael Buffer put a Vegas twist on the pick with a legendary boxing-style introduction at the podium.
Jett Luchanko
Early projections of the top prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft didn’t include Jett Luchanko. The young forward finished his first season in the Ontario Hockey League with only five goals and nine assists in 46 games.
However, Luchanko shot up the draft boards with a breakout season for the Guelph Storm in 2023-24. He scored 20 goals and added 54 assists in 68 regular-season games.
Luchanko spoke about speed that captivated the Flyers during the scouting process.
“It’s probably my strongest asset and something that I’ve always worked on and always kind of had to my advantage, so I think it’s definitely one of the biggest things that I use to kind of create space for myself and my teammates.” -Jett Luchanko
Danny Briere spoke before the draft about his willingness to take risks drafting players with higher talent ceilings.
“You’re evaluating all kinds of things when it comes to that (taking a risk). You know, when you take a swing on a guy that has a really high ceiling, you counter that with how much risk you’re leaving out there. Obviously, we’re all for it and we showed that last year with Matvei (Michkov), that we’re willing to go there. And, if there’s something that makes sense again, kind of the same way, we will.” -Danny Briere
His impressive speed attracted scouts to the 17-year-old in the months leading up to the draft. The Flyers consider him a long-term option at center, a position where they don’t have much depth in the prospect pipeline.
Luchanko will likely continue to develop in one of the most competitive junior leagues in the world next season and possibly further down the road.
Flyers at the 2024 NHL Draft
The Flyers moved down from the 12th-overall spot. They acquired the 13th-overall pick and a 2025 third-round pick from the Minnesota Wild in a trade that kept the entire Las Vegas Sphere on the edge of their seats while Danny Briere didn’t approach the podium.
The Flyers entered the 2024 NHL Draft with 10 picks, including one conditional pick that the Columbus Blue Jackets ultimately chose to defer to 2025.
The change of plans for Matvei Michkov to play in North America in 2024-25 has sent the rumor mill into pandemonium. The Flyers remain in the thick of trade talks during Briere’s second draft as an NHL general manager.
97.5 The Fanatic will analyze draft prospects, free agent targets, and potential trade options for the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2024 offseason.
6 Philadelphia Flyers Retired Numbers & 1 More That Deserves It
Bernie Parent #1
“Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent.”
Countless drivers in Philadelphia during the 1970s read the iconic bumper sticker about the future Hall of Fame goaltender. Parent accumulated Hall of Fame numbers over 13 NHL seasons, 10 of which included stints with the Flyers.
The real mark of his legacy came in the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons. He won the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the NHL after both regular seasons. His 47 wins in 1973-74 stood as a league record until 2007.
Parent won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP for each of the only two Stanley Cups in franchise history after both of his Venzina seasons. The famed Broad Street Bullies built their reputation on intimidation and grit, but they never would’ve sniffed a Stanley Cup without Bernie Parent between the pipes.
Mark Howe #2
Mark Howe played six seasons in the WHA to begin his professional career and didn’t make his debut with the Flyers until age 27. However, he established himself as the indisputable best defenseman in franchise history.
He still holds franchise records for goals, assists, points, shorthanded goals, and plus/minus rating among defensemen. Most of the blueliners behind him in the major statistical categories played more games with the Flyers. Howe published a book cleverly named Gordie Howe’s Son in 2013.
Eric Lindros #88
The Flyers made arguably the biggest splash in NHL history when they acquired the rights to Eric Lindros in 1992 after some lengthy drama. He was supposed to be the next Wayne Gretzky, and his dynamic skill and intimidating power didn’t disappoint when he was on the ice. He won the Hart Trophy after the shortened 1994-95 season and helped the Flyers to an appearance in the 1997 Stanley Cup Final.
Concussions derailed the career of arguably the most talented hockey player ever to lace up the skates. He struggled to stay healthy in a stretch that infamously ended with a devastating hit from Scott Stevens in the 2000 Eastern Conference Final.
He ranks sixth in franchise history in scoring, but his 1.36 points per game average blows every other Flyers skater out of the water. The organization has properly moved on from disagreements with one of their all-time greats whose number has hung in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center since 2018.
Claude Giroux #28
The Flyers were in Stanley Cup contention when Claude Giroux broke into the NHL. The crafty forward developed into the organizational centerpiece, but the team dragged through a forgettable era in franchise history during his captaincy.
Giroux is second in Flyers history in points, games played, and assists trailing only the legendary Bobby Clarke. He played on teams that won six total playoff series and recorded 73 postseason points, including an overtime goal in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. He has finished fourth or higher in Hart Trophy voting three times during his tenure in Philadelphia.
The Flyers will someday retire the number of one of their all-time greats who unfortunately never broke through with a Stanley Cup.
