If you’ve been watching the Philadelphia Flyers this season, you most definitely have seen an orange #10 darting around the ice. Bobby “Orr” Brink was affectionately named after the NHL legend Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins. Born in Minnetonka, Minnesota in 2001, Brink is only 23 years old. He’s also only one inch taller than the smallest active players in the NHL. Weighing in at a mere 169 lbs., Bobby’s physical attributes most definitely don’t combine for the ideal build of an ice hockey player.
However, Brink’s talent earned him a coveted spot on the American 2019, 2020, and 2021 World Junior Championship Teams while playing for the University of Denver Pioneers. While at Denver, Brink caught the attention of NHL scouts in his rookie year, as he was second in the county in rookie scoring in 2019. In that same year, Bobby was drafted 34th overall by the orange and black.
Brink concluded his collegiate career in 2022 after winning the NCAA National Championship with the Pioneers. During his three years at the University of Denver, Brink racked up an impressive 94 points in 86 games. Only three days after winning the national title, Brink made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals. Brink went on to play nine additional games for the Flyers, earning four assists.
An offseason hip injury cost Brink a large chunk of the following season as he wouldn't debut for the Phantoms until January. He was still able to put up 28 points (12 G, 16 A) in 41 games. Brink made the Flyers’ 2023-2024 NHL roster, appearing in 57 games and notching 23 points (11 G, 12 A) while averaging 13:48 minutes of ice time. He did have a brief mid-season stint in the AHL to rebuild his confidence. While in the AHL, he appeared in 13 games and collected 13 points (7 G, 6 A).
As we are now mid-way through the 2024-2025 season, Brink has continuously impressed John Tortorella enough to keep him a staple in the Flyers’ lineup. Fans and media alike have noticed his improved defensive play, willingness to win board battles, and the use of his speed to create odd-man rushes. Throughout December, the Flyers’ young right-wing had seen exceptional chemistry alongside Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster. Interestingly enough, the Brink-Cates-Foerster line was seventh in the league in expected goals percentage (xGoals%).
Top forward lines by expected goal percentage (minimum 150 minutes played together 5 on 5) https://t.co/3qd1ufVXHS pic.twitter.com/CVecUUGlCz
— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) January 31, 2025
Currently, however, the Flyers’ forward corps has been struggling mightily due to injuries to Owen Tippett and Ryan Poehling and the departure of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost following the trade with Calgary on January 30th. In the words of Jim Jackson of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Tortorella has recently placed the forward lines "in a blender" with hopes of generating sustainable offense. Per the Flyers' front office, visa issues have delayed the arrival of Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier. Therefore, the Flyers have had no choice but to call up several players from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in an attempt to end a 180-minute streak of no goals. As for Brink, he currently sits at 51 of 54 games played and 22 points (7 G, 12 A) with 13:52 minutes on ice per game.
Has Brink lit the world on fire through advanced statistics? Not necessarily, but he has passed the “eye test” to many. He also is approaching a career-high in points as well as games played. At 23 years old, Brink seems to have finally cracked the code as to finding what it takes to become a regular in the Flyers’ lineup. With just under half of the 2024-2025 season remaining, many hope Brink will continue to take positive steps in his development. After all, the Flyers’ general manager, Daniel Briere knows just a tad about succeeding in the NHL with an under 6-foot stature.