
VOORHEES, N.J. – That tapping you hear might be the sound of forward Olle Lycksell knocking and hoping the Flyers open the door to give him a shot at making this year’s roster.
The talented Swede has been making noise at the entrance for a couple years now and it looks like he’s getting closer to achieving his goal.
Lycksell did get into 18 games with the Flyers last season and although his offensive numbers (one goal/five points) weren’t headline-makers, he at least showed an ability to hold his own at both ends of the ice.
He’s one of those Walter Mitty stories that few saw coming. Taken way down in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Lycksell’s size (5-foot-10, 163 pounds) didn’t blow anybody away but his speed and hockey sense did.
At the American Hockey League level, he’s made a name for himself. Last year he posted 39 points in 38 games for coach Ian Laperriere’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Now there appears to be a sense that the 25-year-old is ready for the big show.
At Thursday morning’s pre-game media availability, Lycksell exuded confidence.
“I feel like it’s been a good camp,” Lycksell said at the Flyers Training Center. “Both for me and for the team. I’m excited for the last (preseason) game coming up here tonight (against the New Jersey Devils).”
If Lycksell does get a shot with the Flyers this season, he’s hoping to improve his offensive numbers.
>Words of praise for Luchanko
Assistant coach Darryl Williams handled Thursday morning’s media session and one of the subjects he was was pleased to discuss was the progress made by 2024 first-round draft pick Jett Luchanko, a center.
Luchanko has shown skill at both ends of the rink during training camp.
“I’m sure that’s why he was appealing to a lot of teams early in the draft,” Williams said. “Very smart. Reads the play. Has adjusted very well to the NHL speed. You can see he’s a thinker, he really understands the game. He’s athletic. He’s had a good camp.”
>Promising program
Flyers Charities announced that applications are now open for its inaugural Rink Revive program, a community and fan engagement initiative aimed at identifying and supporting local hockey communities in the Greater Philadelphia, Delaware and South Jersey regions.
The new program empowers local communities to share information and stories about their local hockey space and highlight the needs or challenges their rink or programs face. Through a strategic crowdsourcing campaign, Flyers Charities will identify local projects and provide funding and resources to grow the game.
“Providing accessible entry points to the game of hockey is a core value for the Flyers and Flyers Charities,” said Blair Listino, president of Flyers Charities and Flyers alternate governor.
“With such great success with revitalizing both ice and ball hockey rinks over the past couple of years, we wanted to create an official program where we could strategically continue to provide even more communities with the opportunity to have as many resources as possible to play the game. Whether it’s a need for a brand-new indoor or outdoor rink, some boards or even just some sticks, we want to hear from you and we want to help.”
Applications for the Rink Revive program are open now from Oct. 2 through Nov. 8. During the program’s nomination period, hockey fans are encouraged to share their unique stories, highlighting their community’s connection to the game and local practice spaces. Whether it be financial assistance, equipment, rink repairs, programming or even coaching assistance, anyone can apply to receive support from Flyers Charities through the Rink Revive program.
“Growing up with a dad who played and who is still involved in hockey, I was extremely lucky to have access to the game of hockey from a young age,” said Flyers captain Sean Couturier. “Hockey is a great sport to not only learn on the ice, but off the ice as well. What the Flyers and Flyers Charities are doing to provide spaces for kids to play and learn is awesome.”
Those interested in the Rink Revive program should visit www.FlyersCharities.com