Flyers development camp looked bigger this year–no surprise here, as General Manager Daniel Briere made multiple selections that bolstered the physical presence that the Flyers will have in the coming years. The prospect pool suddenly transformed overnight from one that was perceived as too small to now being seen as well-rounded.
Notable absentees from this year’s development camp include former first-rounders Jett Luchanko (C) and Oliver Bonk (D), this year’s second round pick Carter Amico (D), and former third-round selection Denver Barkey (C). All held out out of precaution due to minor injuries.
Let’s dive into who impressed camp this year.
Alex Bump – Winger (2022 5th Round Pick)
It was hard to ignore the hype online surrounding Bump — and I’m here to proclaim it was well-deserved.
My notes were filled each day with observation on Bump’s shot. It’s lethal from anywhere on the ice with relative ease thanks to a quick release. There is no mistaking that Bump’s shot is of an NHL pedigree. Flyers have longed for prospects who have sniper tendencies, and it appears that Bump will be serving as the much-needed reinforcement in this department.
Alex Bump didn’t just showcase his shot — he also showed that he is an excellent stickhandler and can generate in his own zone without much help. It seemed that whenever the puck is on his stick he managed to protect it and create off of it–something that new head coach Rick Tocchet has emphasized as a teaching point for the team.
The analytics back this up.
What is next for Alex Bump?
Bump will attend Flyers training camp, where he’ll push for a spot on the roster. His chances of making the team have improved significantly, as fellow winger Tyson Foerster will be out an extended period of time due to an elbow infection.
The sniper is coming off an impressive college campaign playing with Western Michigan, where he and the Broncos won the 2025 NCAA National Championship. He was a major factor in their success, finishing the season with 23 goals and 24 assists in 42 games–good for 1.11 points-per-game.
He didn’t match his collegiate production after being promoted to the AHL, joining the Phantoms following the championship victory. In two regular season games, he recorded a goal and two assists, and added 2 goals in 7 playoffs games. However, context matters–this was Bump’s first AHL experience, and he was coming off the aforementioned championship run.
By all accounts, Bump has vastly exceeded expectations–and Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr agrees:
“Bump’s put himself in a position–regardless of Foerster’s injury–where he’s done everything we’ve asked as far as his collegiate career, training, since we drafted him.”
Alex Bump has made it clear that his goal is to make the team out of camp. I, for one, won’t be counting him out.
Noah Powell – Winger (2024 5th Round Pick)
Back-to-back fifth-round picks to start things off, huh? Music to Daniel Briere’s ears, as he may have another potential draft-day heist on his hands.
I don’t want to blow things out of proportion regarding Noah Powell–after all, he is a fifth-round pick–but this is his second camp making noise.
His overall camp exuded the energy of a player who meant business. Let’s start with the most obvious takeaway: he uses all of his 6’2″ 201-pound stature. He lit up a couple of guys, garnering oohs and ahhs–including the previously mentioned Alex Bump.
I was impressed by the power forward every day. He is a relentless force in the forecheck, battling and scrapping with the same intensity every time. It isn’t just his energy–he also possesses genuine puck skills. His shot carries substantial power, and he showed adequate vision to effectively involve his teammates.
One clear area where his game translates easily to the next level is in front of the net. He doesn’t shy from contact and embraces the dirty areas of the game. I was especially impressed by a drill where the forwards skated quickly in front of the net to practice quick shooting. He showed impressive agility for a player his size, and he can really fire the puck.
What is next for Noah Powell?
Powell transitioned from college hockey at Ohio State to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals last year, resulting in a spike to his production. In 17 NCAA games, he recorded 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points. Mid-season, Powell left the NCAA to join Oshawa under an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. He hit the ground running with 9 goals and 13 assists (22 points) in 28 games.
Powell will attempt the NCAA route once again, as he will join the Arizona State Sun Devils for the 2025-2026 season. A late-season call up to the Flyers after the season is not out of the question–much like what the team did last year with Devan Kaplan. However, Powell will still need to sign an entry-level contract (ELC) for this to happen. If this camp and last are any indication, Powell is definitely forcing his way into the conversation.
Jack Murtagh – Winger (2025 2nd Round Pick)
This year’s draft crop makes their first appearance–and it may come as a surprise that it isn’t the first- or even second selected player. Make no mistake: this is very much merited.
Jack Murtagh displayed a great blend of traits during development camp. He is a plus skater, a crafty playmaker, and a shooter who seems to have never seen a shot he doesn’t like. My notes were scattered with superlatives–his shot is absolutely NHL-caliber.
Every draft profile and scouting report leading up to the NHL draft highlighted the impressive shot he possesses. Seeing the playmaking Murtagh displayed was a pleasant surprise. He threaded many tough passes in drills and scrimmages throughout the week, suggesting he is more than a goal scorer.
Murtagh’s game is high-energy and high-intensity all of the time. He likes to attack and he doesn’t hesitate. He demonstrated an ability to process the game quickly. This complete package is more evidence of why many believed Murtagh should have been taken in the first round and why he could be a potential second-round steal for the Flyers.
Following the draft selection, Murtagh described himself as “a high-end workhorse.” I’d say that’s a completely fair assessment. Every drill, rush, and shot looked like it was his first of the day.
What’s next for Jack Murtagh?
Murtagh is committed to Boston University for the 2025-2026 season, where he will join a stacked roster that includes fellow Flyers second-round draft pick Carter Amico. The United States Development Program National Team prospect will look to take his game to the next level. While he is multiple years away from contributing to the Flyers, by all accounts he looks like a potential impact player in the middle six when he does arrive.
Shane Vansaghi – Winger (2025 Second Round Pick)
Following up a second round pick with another, it’s easy to now see why many in the industry viewed the Flyers second round as being especially strong–and why I’m inclined to agree.
The Michigan State product was recently dubbed the “truck” by Director of Player Development Riley Armstrong. I’m here to report that the nickname checks out. Physically, Vansaghi profiles as the kind of player who somehow looks even bigger in person.
I can also attest that his play style fits the nickname “the truck.” Vansaghi makes it extremely difficult for anyone contesting him to disrupt his puck possession, let alone take it away. He takes powerful, purposeful strides toward the net and pairs this with very adept hands to create chances from his effort. His game projects well–he’s a tough-to-play-against, big-bodied power forward. From the forecheck to the cycle game to everything in between, Vansaghi’s presence will be felt. He made things difficult on players in camp in so many situations, making a player of his ilk a safe bet.
One aspect to his game that stood out to me was his hand-eye coordination in front of the net in tip drills. Add that to the list of good traits.
What’s next for Shane Vansaghi?
“The truck” will continue his stint with the Michigan State Spartans for the 2025-2026 season. Last year, as a young collegiate player on the fourth line, Vansaghi compiled 6 goals and 10 assists (16 points) in 37 games. Vansaghi himself explained that the college style of play suits him better, and I couldn’t agree more.
Look for his numbers to rise as Vansaghi is expected to take on greater responsibility in his sophomore season in East Lansing.
Hunter McDonald – Defenseman (2022 Sixth Round Pick)
Our first defenseman makes his debut. Hunter McDonald is a name that has not-so-subtly been mentioned by Keith Jones and Daniel Briere as a player who can ascend the ranks. Judging by this development camp, it’s clear he has at least one step ahead of his peers in this age group.
To be clear, nothing about McDonald’s play jumped off the ice at this development camp — but that’s fitting for Hunter McDonald. That’s just his game. Well, except for when he’s stapling forwards to the boards or clearing the porch, that is.
Time and time again, McDonald showed why he the potential to become a third-pair defenseman for the Flyers. He is a very sound defender in all levels of the ice. On the rush, he did a great job maintaining gaps with his long reach and ultimately sealing off defenders along the boards. McDonald routinely limited danger in front of the net with his aggressive disposition.
What may have been most notable was McDonald’s work on the other end of the ice: carrying the puck up ice, making passes, and driving the net. These are skills that he clearly intends to develop and add to his repertoire. Was it earth-shattering? Did he become a puck-moving, maestro defenseman overnight? Absolutely not. But what he did accomplish was showing he is making strides in this department.
What’s next for Hunter McDonald?
A right triceps injury to fellow Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, which required surgery, opens the door for McDonald to make the team out of training camp.
I expect a camp battle among Hunter McDonald, Helge Grans, and Yegor Zamula, and Emil Andrae to shape the bottom of the lineup, outside the top-four defensemen (Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, and Nick Seeler). My prediction? McDonald gets a long look. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone else in the system eho can replicate the playstyle that Ristolainen provides.
Porter Martone – Winger (2025 First Round Pick)
I would be remiss not to mention Porter Martone from this. Did he light the world on fire this development camp? No, he didn’t. Is this a cause for concern? Also, no. Martone is coming off a very impressive OHL campaign, totaling 37 goals and 61 assists (98 points) in 57 games regular-season games, along with 4 goals and 5 assists (9 points) in 6 playoff games.
A player with Martone’s combination of size and skill is not something you normally see drop out of the top-five in the draft. Briere kept his word by choosing the best player available rather than drafting for need.
Here is what Martone he did show: slick passing, good vision, a nice shot, and his size. I was especially impressed by his two-on-one drills, where he routinely found a way to get the puck to his linemate–whether it was right on the tape or between a defenders skates, Martone finds a way.
What’s next for Porter Martone?
This is a tough one, and one that the Flyers brass will need to think about.
Martone dominated the OHL, so thoroughly that I don’t believe there is anything left for him to prove at that level.
So, that leaves us with two options: you convince Martone to take the NCAA route, or you let him compete to make the big team.
Martone cannot play in the NCAA if he attempts to make the Flyers after he signs an entry-level contract (ELC). If he doesn’t make the team, he will have to return to the OHL.
In a perfect world, Martone makes the Flyers and makes it impossible to leave him off the top-six of the lineup. Best-case scenario? He creates magic on a line with Matvei Michkov and newly acquired center Trevor Zegras.
Follow John Cafasso on Twitter @JCafassoFlyguys