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Philadelphia Flyers: Morgan Frost and Issac Ratcliffe still thriving in OHL

By Benjamin Gabrych

LONDON, ON - MARCH 4: Morgan Frost #16 of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds skates against the London Knights during an OHL game at Budweiser Gardens on March 4, 2016 in London, Ontario, Canada. The Knights defeated the Greyhounds 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
LONDON, ON - MARCH 4: Morgan Frost #16 of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds skates against the London Knights during an OHL game at Budweiser Gardens on March 4, 2016 in London, Ontario, Canada. The Knights defeated the Greyhounds 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Flyers 2017 first and second round drafts picks have continued to impress with their play in the Ontario Hockey League this season.

With the Philadelphia Flyers currently on a bye for the 2019 NHL All-Star Game, it’s time to take a look at how a couple of prospects have faired in their respective junior leagues. There are plenty to choose from with a notably deep farm system, but two have really stood out with their play in the OHL this year.

Morgan Frost and Issac Ratcliffe have been on a tear since the season began, with Frost performing better between the pair. The 19 year-old center-man has an impressive 75 points (30 Goals, 45 Assists) in just 38 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds thus far. That’s almost two points per game, which leads the league, and is good for third in scoring as well.

He missed a couple of games due to participating in the IIHF World Junior Championships, where he netted eight points in five games for Team Canada. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Frost eventually take the league lead in points because of this, especially considering he’s also producing more per game than both players ranked ahead of him.

While Ratcliffe just missed the cut for the World Juniors and isn’t the playmaker Frost is, he still possesses the ability to score goals with the best of them in the OHL. The 6’6, 205 pound left-wing forward has 51 points in 42 games in his third season for the Guelph Storm.

His 33 goals sit eighth best among players in the league and are eight shy of his total from the 2017-18 campaign. Ratcliffe does have an issue with staying out of the box, though, surpassing his career high in Penalties in Minutes with 68 already this year. He’ll need to become more disciplined, but has plenty of time to clean his game up before seeing real time on the Flyers roster.

It’s worth noting that 2017 fourth round pick Matthew Strome has shined in OHL play, too, netting 52 points (21 Goals, 31 Assists) in 46 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. All three of these prospects boast tremendous offensive skillsets and will only benefit Philadelphia in the future whether they suit up in Orange and Black or end up getting traded for current NHL talent.

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Strome and Ratcliffe still have some developing to do before they’re ready for the NHL, but I could definitely see Frost in a Flyers uniform next season. It’s clear he’s too good for juniors and I don’t think the AHL would be necessary given all of the ability he currently has on offense.

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