Best Late Rounds Picks in Flyers History
By Scott Cole
Dave Schultz
1969 was a great draft year for the Flyers. Even though they whiffed on Currier with the sixth overall pick (Andre Dupont would be picked two spots later and would be traded to the Flyers in a few seasons), the Flyers hit it big in the second round with Bobby Clarke.
However, a few rounds later the Flyers snagged Dave Schultz in the fifth round. Outside of scoring 20 goals in the 1973-74 season, he was never a scoring threat. However, Schultz’s main contribution was his toughness. He racked up 2,292 penalty minutes (good for 35th all time, but he played in less years than the 34 players above him) in his nine year career, including a record of 472 minutes in 1974-75. (In comparison, Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki led the league this season with 151 minutes).
If he was on the ice, nobody touched Clarke, Barber, or any of the other top players. His role as enforcer helped to lead the Flyers to back to back cup wins.
Don Saleski
Speaking of the 1969 draft, in the next round, the Flyers selected “Big Bird”. Saleski would play an integral role on the Broad Street Bully teams. On his eight seasons with the Flyers, he would score 118 goals, including three straight with 20+. He could also throw down and be an enforcer if needed to be. While never a great player, he’s one that you would love to find in a late round pick.
Paul Holmgren
Holmgren would be selected in the 1975 draft in the sixth round. He spent nine of his 10 year career in Orange and Black. He never lit up the scoreboard much, except for a 30 goal campaign in 79-80. He would be among the team leaders in the clubhouse in the post-Bully era. Later he would be a scout and GM for the team. He’s one of those guys who’s always had the Flyers in his blood and still has an influence on the team today.