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Flyers prospect Kirill Ustimenko out four to five months after torn labrum

By Ariel Melendez

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 11: A hockey net sits on the ice prior to the arm-ups and the game between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 11, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 11: A hockey net sits on the ice prior to the arm-ups and the game between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 11, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Flyers will be searching for another goaltender in the AHL next season.

In a season where roster spots will be key, the Flyers will be down one in the American Hockey League. Kirill Ustimenko was expected to trade reps with Felix Sandstrom. With the team needing to carry three goaltenders on the NHL roster, those two would have the chance to run the Phantoms.

As of right now, that job is soley going to be on Sandstrom. The AHL recently announced that they plan to return to play at the beginning of February. And the Phantoms will be doing so without the services of Ustimenko.

The Flyers announced early on Thursday afternoon that Ustimenko has surgery to repair a torn labrum. There was no word on when exactly the injury took place. However, he will be out approximately four to five months.

In a normal year, that would give Ustimenko a chance to return at the latter part of the season. But with the season cut short, he won’t be retuning until next year. This gives Sandstrom a big opportunity to prove himself once more. He took a bit hit recently on the Flyers’ depth chart after spending a large chunk of the season in the ECHL.

For Ustimenko, it was likely his net to loose for the Phantoms. While the numbers aren’t mind-blowing by any means, it appeared the Phantoms were going to turn to him. After re-signing Lyon, they were likely to use those two during the season.

Now with Lyon as the likely third goaltender for the Flyers in this shortened season, they will have to figure something out and quick. Ustimenko was on loan to HK Gomel in Belarus. He only appeared in two games, posting a 2.50 GAA and a .910 SV%.

There was word that he returned to North America in early December to get ready for training camp. So it’s possible the injury took place during his training. Nevertheless, he will be out for the season and look to get back on track next year.

With training camp beginning this weekend, we’ll have to wait and see what the Flyers plan to do for their minor league affiliate.

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