WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s been rent, not buy, a fixed residence for Bobby Brink over the past two seasons.
The Flyers’ 23-year-old right wing wants to put away those suitcases for good this year.
Brink, who’s shuttled back and forth between the Flyers and their American Hockey League affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms since winning the NCAA scoring title and Hobey Baker (best collegiate player) with Denver University in 2022.
Since he signed a contract which will pay him $1.5-million per year through 2025-26, the Minnetonka, Minnesota native has been improving. But he still has had to spend some time in Allentown to get his game up to Flyers’ standards.
If Sunday’s production is a sample of Brink’s work this season, the outlook is bright. Brink scored two goals and also notched a goal in the “exhibition” shootout in Philadelphia’s 6-2 preseason win.
After the game, Brink spoke in a matter-of-fact tone about his effort against the Caps and his outlook for the season.
He gives the impression he’s taking nothing for granted.
“Everyone has to earn a spot, no matter who you are,” he said. “I just want to put my best foot forward. . .try to come off the year with a little momentum.”
Was Sunday’s performance somewhat of a statement game?
“Yeah, I’m just trying to go out there and create chances,” he said. “I don’t think you can base it on goals and assists. If you go out there, work hard and create, you’re putting yourself in a good spot.”
Prior to the game, Phantoms coach Ian Laperriere said he has a strong belief in Brink’s game.
Asked what he’s hoping to see from Brink this year, Laperriere quickly responded.
“A lot what we saw last year when he came to us,” Laperriere said. “He was making plays and using his speed. His quickness, and that’s what he’s shown so far in (2024) camp. I’m expecting that he will continue to have a great camp. It’s a big year for him.”
The numbers last year were enoouraging. In 57 games with the Flyers, he posted 11 goals/23 points with a plus-1.
Every player works hard in the summer to improve his conditioning but it sounds like Brink really dedicated himself to becoming more of a physical force. That’s not easy to do when you’re only 5-foot-8, 169 pounds.
“I wanted to get stronger, faster,” Brink explained. “A lot of the emphasis was off-ice. I think I made some strides. I stayed out here (Voorhees, N.J.) all year. The training staff did a great job.
“So I just want to kKeep trying to make plays out there, keep trying to produce offensively. I’m trying to be a better two-way player on both sides of the rink. The more you improve, the more you can help the team win.”
Logging lots of minutes toward the end of the season helped quite a bit.
“I think I learned a lot last year,” Brink said. “I wouldn’t take last year as a negative at all. It’s not an easy league to be in in your first year. There’s ups and downs and learning to deal with that sort of thing. I think I’m better off because of the things I learned last year.
“It’s just trusting your ability. You go down there (Lehigh Valley) and you have success. They call you back up and you know you have it in you to play at this level. It’s just translating that belief level from the AHL to the NHL. Just try to be confident and do whatever you can to help the team.”
For Brink, the motto is never be satisfied.
“Every day in this league,” he said, “It doesn’t matter who you are, you have to improve yourself. There’s different levels of opportunity. You have to prove yourself to be on the power play, penalty kill. You have to perform here, you have to execute. You have to give your best or you’re going to be out of a job. I think every guy knows that. That’s the reality of the league.”
