The date was October 11th, 2024 and a healthy Noah Cates found himself in the press box for the Flyers’ 2024 season opener against the Vancouver Canucks. To the dismay of some Flyers fans, it was the 18-year-old Jett Luchanko who was dressing for his NHL debut. The 5’11”, 170 lb. center was drafted 13th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Although many were somewhat puzzled by Danny Briere’s pick in July, many were pleasantly surprised with the impact he made at the Flyers’ training camp in August. The centerman made an immediate impression on John Tortorella and company with his unmatched speed, decision-making with and without the puck, as well as his maturity off the ice.
As cuts continued throughout the Flyers’ training camp, Jett’s name continued to be found alongside NHL veterans on practice lineup sheets. It was looking increasingly likely that the 18-year-old would find himself in a Flyers’ uniform on October 11th. It turned out that Luchanko not only became the youngest Flyer to play for the franchise since its inception in 1967 but also appeared in three additional games for the orange and black while averaging 14:03 minutes of ice time.
Luchanko Returned to the OHL
Fast forward to October 26th, Luchanko was returned to his OHL team, the Guelph Storm to continue his overall development both on and off the ice. Flyers’ head coach John Tortorella echoed the fact that the demotion wasn’t due to Jett’s play, but more so the unsettled state the team was in during the opening weeks of the 2024 season. Even General Manager Daniel Briere conveyed that this move was going to provide Jett with the most amount of playing time to further his development, even if he would’ve improved the Flyers’ on-ice product in the short-term.
Although Luchanko didn’t appear out of place in the NHL, it was clear to the coaching staff as well as the Flyers’ front office that he wasn’t prepared to be a true difference maker in the NHL just yet. Due to Jett being under the age of 20, he was unable to be sent to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Therefore, the Flyers’ only option was for Jett to return to the OHL with hopes he would further improve his abilities and perhaps be selected to play for Team Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship.
"He should be proud of himself. His parents should be proud of him. He was taken out of the lineup, not because of his play. I wanted to get our team members that I knew were going to be here to try to figure some stuff out. Have we yet? No. That's why we didn't play Jett." Tortorella said regarding the decision to send Luchanko back to the OHL.
After earning a roster spot on the ultracompetitive Canadian roster at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario, Luchanko scored an impressive short-handed goal vs Latvia. Although this was his sole point in four games, Jett played an integral role as a defensive forward on a star-studded roster and impressed with a 47.69 faceoff win percentage.
JETT LUCHANKO PUMP FAKE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ANtyua5Z4Y
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 28, 2024
Even so, Flyers' GM Danny Briere stated during his mid-season press conference that he didn't feel Team Canada utilized Jett's speed and other assets to their full potential during the tournament. This further solidifies the immense value that Luchanko holds in the minds of the Flyers' front office in continuing to execute their long-term rebuild. Adding to Luchanko’s already memorable 2024-2025 season, he was named the 33rd captain in Guelph’s history on January 17th, 2025.
Luchanko's OHL Stats
Luchanko has found himself to be the main character (and captain) of an underwhelming OHL team, the Guelph Storm. Although the Storm have a record of 38-23-1, they currently sit in sixth place in the OHL's Western Conference. As for Jett, he has racked up 51 points (19 G, 32 A) in 42 games.
Especially exciting to Flyers fans, he is also fifth on the team in powerplay assists with five and second on the team in short-handed goals with one. For now, here's a highlight reel goal showcasing this young man living up to his speedy name. Maybe this can tide Flyers fans over until Jett can don the orange and black.
It's a bird, It's a plane, NO IT'S JETT LUCHANKO!#StormCity | @NHLFlyers pic.twitter.com/np2K33HnIP
— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) February 27, 2025
What's Next for Jett?
Needless to say, the career trajectory of Luchanko is most definitely trending in an upward direction. These positive developments come at an ideal time, as the Flyers are consistently battling a lack of center depth at the NHL level. Although fans only have gotten a taste of Luchanko’s on-ice talents, it seems there is even more to be excited about from the young man who is starting to live up to his name of Jett.
Oh, did I mention he's a center? Here's to hoping Luchanko can potentially serve as a future 1C or 2C in the coming years, a position that is severely lacking on the Flyers' offensive depth chart.