The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Jon-Randall Avon to a three-year, entry-level contract, according to Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher.
Avon was originally a Development Camp invite by the Flyers earlier in the summer, and just recently participated in Rookie Camp this past week and played in both rookie games against the New York Rangers.
Avon has improved every day he has been on the ice. He’s shown off some great playmaking abilities, smart play in his own zone, and has been a smooth skater. He was certainly impressive last weekend in the rookie games against the Rangers and now he has been rewarded with his first NHL contract.
Avon stands 5’11” and 180 pounds, and possesses a left-handed shot. He is 18 years old and hails from Selwyn, Ontario. Avon most recently played with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League. His first season with the club was during the 2019-20 season that was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Avon recorded four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 56 games with the Petes before the season was shut down.
Avon also appeared in six games for Canada White and the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He did not score any points but he racked up 12 penalty minutes for the team in the tournament as they went on to lose in the bronze medal game.
Avon did not play anywhere last season as the OHL season was cancelled altogether in the wake of the pandemic. Before he began play in the OHL, he suited up with the Lindsay Muskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for two games and played with the Peterborough Petes U16 and U15 AAA squads.
He scored 24 goals and 25 assists for 49 points in 35 games with the Petes U16 team in 2018-19. That was good enough to lead his entire team in goals, assists, and points altogether. He also led the club with 70 penalty minutes that season.
Avon will be an interesting player to watch in training camp this week. With a return to the OHL, Avon will be one of two Flyers prospects playing for the Peterborough Petes. Brian Zanetti, the team’s fourth-round pick this past summer will be there as well. After being passed over in the 2021 NHL Draft, Avon worked incredibly hard to get where he is, and now he’s officially a member of the Philadelphia Flyers organization.