Posted: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 3:01 PM | 16 comments |
 

Flyers sign two free agents
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We are just two days into March and the Flyers have already scooped up two undrafted free agents from the Ontario Hockey League to bolster their farm system.

The Flyers announced on Wednesday that they have signed Jason Akeson and Tyler Brown, both from the OHL, to entry level contracts.

Both players will report to rookie camp this summer.

Akeson, 20, leads the OHL in scoring with 24 goals and 79 assists for 103 points. He posted 80 points in 65 games last season for the Kitchener Rangers – the same program that produced Flyers captain Mike Richards.

Brown, 21, has 54 points in his overage season with the Plymouth Whalers, good for third on the team. Brown has 47 goals and 73 assists in 212 regular season OHL games over four seasons in Plymouth.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said two weeks ago that they are also coveting some highly-touted college prospects, such as Merrimack’s Stephane Da Costa. Collegiate players can not be signed until after their respective seasons are over later this month.

With their highest pick in this June’s draft in the third round, the Flyers have tried to find creative ways to re-stock their cupboard with prospects over recent years. The Flyers’ last first round pick was in 2008, when they selected Luca Sbisa, who was later traded to Anaheim in a deal for Chris Pronger.

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Posted by Frank Seravalli @ 3:01 PM  Permalink | 16 comments
16
Comments   
  • 1 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:18 PM, 03/02/2011
    I like this strategy of trading draft picks and signing older prospects. These 18-year-olds the Flyers would be drafting couldn't really help the team for three, four or five years anyway. It's an excellent big-market strategy for the salary cap age.
    — conceptual_bro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:21 PM, 03/02/2011
    If this Akeson leads the OHL in scoring, why wasn't he drafted? Seems kind of odd. Oh well, good for Homer
    — debbyt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:33 PM, 03/02/2011
    I suspect he hasn't been drafted because of his size. Some places he's listed as 5'10, some 5'11. But, it sounds similar to listing Danny Briere or Claude Giroux at 5'10. Let's face it, the NHL is a lot bigger and faster than the OHL. I hope he works out as well as Richards.
    — NYluvsPhylers
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:47 PM, 03/02/2011
    If you read what's out there, supposedly Akeson doesn't have NHL level skills, and is benefiting with lots of assists to much more talented guys around him. But at 20 years old, why not give him a few years and see what happens?
    — tripleplay83
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:50 PM, 03/02/2011
    I love the Holmer strategy: Trade the draft picks for established NHL players and then sign late bloomers in Juniors, College, and overseas. Unless you are picking in the Top 5 of Round 1, the NHL Draft is a crapshoot. Seems like we picked up a pretty good rookie goalie using this strategy, eh?
    — Phront_Runner
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:50 PM, 03/02/2011
    debbyt and NYluvsPhylers----further reason why he is a leading scorer, he is 20 and older then 60% of the league.
    Age range of the juniors is 16/17 thru 20/21. The two year difference is huge at the level.
    — Romus
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:57 PM, 03/02/2011
    Check Akeson out on this play:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlHvlNBz7ec&feature=player_embedded
    — Romus
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:02 PM, 03/02/2011
    The stategy works fine for me. The OHL - along withe Quebec Major Junior - is one of the best programs around for developing talent. Low risk and lots of upside. If you can't draft them then you have to go get them.
    — MH
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:56 PM, 03/02/2011
    this strategy only works when you have picks to trade. at the rate holmer is going, he'll be out of all draft picks for the next 5yrs any day now.
    — kdub13
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:09 PM, 03/02/2011
    This team still needs a goalie. Sorry. Buy thats why there will be no paraded this year.

    — hititwheretheyaint
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:10 PM, 03/02/2011
    Keep up the good work Homer!
    — Mondo Jay
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:17 PM, 03/02/2011
    we have a goalie and we will win the cup this year mark my words.
    — theeman1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:45 PM, 03/02/2011
    Where are they hiding this goalie?
    — NYPHILLYPHAN
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:09 AM, 03/03/2011
    This is the second time in ten years that the OHL leading scorer was undrafted. Why? A few years ago Nathan Robinson was in the same boat, and got a try out w/ Detroit.
    — former Mt.Airy Kid


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About Frank Seravalli
Frank Seravalli is in his fourth year with the Daily News and third season covering the Flyers. He started at the Daily News as an intern writing about the boozing legends of the Lincoln Financial Field lots and hasn't left. Since joining the Flyers beat, he has covered everything from the Winter Classic to the Stanley Cup Final and everything in between. Prior to joining the Daily News, the Bucks County native did a large amount of freelance work for local media outlets, covering high schools, colleges and all four of Philly's major sports teams. He resides in Center City. E-mail Frank at seravaf@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter @DNFlyers.

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