One of Flyers' top prospects is turning pro

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One of the Flyers' top prospects is getting closer.

Cam York, the club's 2019 first-round draft pick, signed his three-year entry-level contract Wednesday night. York is a smooth-skating, point-producing blueliner with endless skill and advanced smarts.

The 20-year-old's contract will begin this season, so York should be set to join AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. The Phantoms have 22 games left in their regular season.

"He's going to start with our farm team and then we'll see what happens from there," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said Wednesday night.

Last Friday, York's sophomore season and collegiate career came to an end when Michigan had to bow out of the 16-team 2021 NCAA championship tournament because of positive COVID-19 test results within the Wolverines' tier I testing group.

York put up a banner year. He won a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship as the U.S. captain. He added to his accolades by winning Big Ten Defenseman of the Year.

In 24 games this season for Michigan, York had 20 points (four goals, 16 assists), a plus-13 rating and 32 blocked shots.

"Cam put in a lot of work off the ice last summer to set himself up for a very good year this year at Michigan — and he did just that," Flyers amateur scout Nick Pryor said Wednesday night to NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He was one of the top defensemen in college hockey this year on a very good Michigan team and he played key minutes in all situations. It was great to see him captain the U.S at the world juniors and win gold, and that experience is huge for any young, up-and-coming player.

"Cam's ability to move pucks and contribute on the power play has always been a strength of his, but his defensive play often gets overlooked. He’s got very good feet, a good stick and a good understanding of the game in all three zones. We’re very pleased with where his game is headed and excited about his future."

More: Flyers will not place yield signs on speed of York's climb to NHL

Many have believed York will be a quick riser, going back pre-draft to when he was coming up in the U.S. national team development program. In his draft year, York scored 65 points, a USNTDP single-season record for a defenseman.

"Offensively, I feel like I'm dynamic and can make plays happen," York said in June 2019, "but defensively, I feel like I don't get enough credit for what I do.

"I want to be a guy that plays 30 minutes a night, not just 20 because he's just offensively good. I want to be really good on both sides of the ice."

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