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Breaking down the Flyers' picks on Day 2 of the 2024 NHL draft

Jackie Spiegel, The Philadelphia Inquirer on

Published in Hockey

With that move up, the Flyers selected defenseman Spencer Gill from Rimouski of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. At just 17 — he doesn’t turn 18 until August — he notched 12 goals and 46 points in 65 games this past season, and compares his game to that of New York Islanders blueliner Noah Dobson.

“He’s got a little ways to go physically, but he’s another player that’s moved up our charts quickly,” Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said. “Really moves the puck, retrieves pucks well, can skate, defends showed some offensive to his game and he’s going to have a huge role and in a really good environment there in Rimouski the next couple of years.”

Gill was a No. 7 defenseman at U18s for Canada’s gold-medal squad. He had two assists in seven games and was a teammate of Luchanko’s. Known to be tough to play against, he’s not a big points guy, but he’s known to create offense and was the first player taken from the QMJHL at this draft.

Fourth round, No. 107: Heikki Ruohonen, C

The Flyers entered the day without a fourth-round pick, but swapped No. 150 (fifth round), acquired in the trade that sent Zack MacEwen to the Los Angeles Kings, and No. 177 (sixth round), to the Calgary Flames for the 107th overall pick. The 177th pick was acquired in the deal that sent Kevin Hayes to the St. Louis Blues; Hayes was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

With the pick, the Flyers selected Ruohonen, another two-way center. Wearing an “A” for Kiekko-Espoo’s junior team, he had 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) in 37 games before adding another five points in five games at the U18 World Championship for Finland.

 

Labeled a “big, strong center” by Flahr, the Helsinki native will be playing for Dubuque of the United States Hockey League next season. The following year he will skate for Harvard under the tutelage of former NHLer Ted Donato.

“He can shoot the puck but he’s a bull. He’s really strong, you’ll see this week — he’s coming over [for development camp] despite short notice, which is nice. But he’s another player that has a two-way game,” Flahr added.

Fifth round, No. 148: Noah Powell, RW

The Flyers acquired this pick when they took on some of Noah Hanifin’s salary in a three-way swap that included the Flames at the trade deadline. They selected Powell, an overager at 19 who was passed over in last year’s draft.

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