While back in the good old United States, we are enwrapped and enthralled with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But on the international scene, this is hockey tournament time. And right now, several Flyers prospects are making name for themselves on the world stage. This is a good sign as some of these guys could be expected to make a run for a roster spot during training camp at the end of this summer.
The Flyers are represented quite well at the Ice Hockey World Championships being held in Riga, Latvia and Tampere, Finland. And by “represented well”, I really mean “well represented. There are three current Flyers playing and all three have played well so far. This is great opportunity for them guys to showcase their skills.
Flyers defender Ronnie Attard had a goal against Germany.
Ronnie Attard scores for USA and it's 1-0 over Germany off of this wrister.
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) May 9, 2023
Drew O'Connor with the good pass. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/Wt4Zru69KT
That’s a pretty nice shot from up top. The Flyers defense could definitely use someone who can rifle up some shots like that. During Team USA’s 7-1 win over Hungary, Attard led all American players with six shots on goal.
Attard isn’t the only one representing the USA. In the same game against Germany, Cutter Gauthier, last year’s first round pick for Philly, scored two goals, including this one that tied the game up.
First senior men's game... First senior men's goal🚨🇺🇸
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 12, 2023
Cutter Gauthier ties the game up for @usahockey#FINUSA #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/FpefPA8tVt
This is pretty big for Gauthier. Even though he is going back to college this fall, this follows his successful stint in the World Juniors this past spring. He helped Team USA earn a bronze medal as he scored four goals and six assists in seven games.
Scott Laughton, playing for team Canada, has also gotten into the action. He has one goal and one assist in four games.
🚨🇨🇦 Scott Laughton with another quick strike. 2-0 for @HockeyCanada. #LATCAN #IIHFWorlds @NHLFlyers pic.twitter.com/6Po8QrZiuv
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 12, 2023
He has also posted a +4 for Canada. As one of the older players on the squad working with a lot of younger guys, that’s not bad. And when you are playing with highly regarded Adam Fantilli, currently projected to go number two in the upcoming draft, that’s not also not bad. Who knows….maybe Fantilli can slip.
Interestingly enough, one of the top scorers in the tournament thus far is former Flyer Lukas Sedlak, representing Czechia. Sedlak, who left the Flyers to return home to play in his native Czechia, is one of eight players who is tied for second in the tournament with three goals scored. His five overall points place him in a six-way tie for third place.