Flyers sign prospects Michael Raffl and Maxim Lamarche

After denying reports on Thursday about the signing of Canadian defenseman Maxim Lamarche, the Flyers announced Friday afternoon that they not only added Lamarche, but Michael Raffl, a highly-coveted winger from Austria as well. Both signed three-year deals.

Here's more from the team website:

Raffl, 24, was sought after by several teams, but ultimately it came down to the Flyers and the Nashville Predators.

The Flyers won out, signing Raffl after seeing him play for Austria in the World Championships. He had a standout game against Russia, a team loaded with NHL-caliber talent, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

"Both (Director of Player Personnel) Dave Brown and myself as well as (European Scout) Ilkka (Sinisalo) saw him at the World Championships and he's a good player," said Director of Hockey Operations Chris Pryor. "You noticed him over there. He's got skill. He thinks the game. He's a versatile guy and can do a lot of different things."

The Flyers staff were so impressed with his game that they feel like he could break camp with the big club in the Fall assuming he assimilates well to the North American game.

"He's a good player, who we think can be NHL ready," Pryor said. "There's going to be a learning curve, but he's got enough in his game to be able to make that adjustment rather quickly."

In seven full seasons in Austria and Sweden, Raffl (6-0, 192) has appeared in 312 games and recorded 101 goals, 100 assists and a plus-63 rating. Last season, he led his team with 24 goals and 46 points.

Lamarche, 6-3, 218, recorded nine goals, 34 assists and a plus-31 rating in 55 games last season with Baie-Comeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

In his four season (252 games) playing in the QMHJL, the 20-year-old has scored 23 goals to go with his 90 assists. He's likely headed to Adirondack where he will play for the Phantoms.

Here are some videos of Raffl: