The Flyers started their 2020 NHL draft class with a winger who can shoot.
And they capped it off with another winger who can shoot.
The Flyers on Wednesday selected Connor McClennon in the sixth round with the 178th overall pick, bringing a close to their draft work. The club traded its two seventh-round selections to move up and take Elliot Desnoyers in the fifth round. It opened the draft by grabbing winger Tyson Foerster at 23rd overall.
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McClennon plays for the WHL's Winnipeg ICE and his head coach is James Patrick, the uncle of Nolan Patrick. McClennon is diminutive (5-8/160) but a righty prospect that can really score with his shot and craftiness.
The 18-year-old's 2019-20 season was cut short because of a collarbone injury. He finished with 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists) in 42 games.
"He was a top pick in the Western Hockey League, he's been one of the top players in that age group for years," Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said Wednesday in a video interview. "We had some inside information because he's so close friends with Ridly Greig and whatnot. He is undersized, he's going to have to get stronger, he's putting on some weight over the summer, but he's been a prolific goal scorer among his age group."
NHL
McClennon said he models his game after Alex DeBrincat. The 5-foot-7 Blackhawks winger scored 41 goals in 2018-19.
"I definitely had a couple of conversations with [the Flyers] and I know my agent Kevin Epp did," McClennon said Wednesday in a video interview. "It's just a huge honor, they're a great organization and I couldn't be more excited for the future."