Flyers Daily: Alexis Gendron Lone ’22 Draft Choice at Rookie Camp; NHL News

Speedy forward Alexis Gendron will be the lone player drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers this year to participate in the team’s rookie camp, which starts with on-ice activities Thursday in Voorhees.

NCAA players or future NCAA players aren’t eligible to attend NHL camps.

That includes Boston College’s Cutter Gauthier, the Flyers’ top pick (No. 5 overall) in the July draft, along with many others.

Devin Kaplan (third round) is at Boston University, Alex Bump (fifth round) is at the University of Vermont, Hunter McDonald (sixth round) is at Northeastern, and Santeri Sulku is playing in Sweden. Sulku was the Flyers’ first pick in the seventh round.

Gendron is a 5-foot-10, 174-pounder who can play center or right wing. He was chosen with the Flyers’ last selection, a seventh rounder was was 220th overall. McKeen’s Hockey ranked him 71st overall, meaning Gendron could be a steal.

He had 30 goals in 66 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season. He will again play for the Blainville Armada in the QMJHL this season.

Gendron is a “really competitive kid. He’s grown a huge amount,” assistant GM Brent Flahr said at the draft. He added that the selection was “a no-brainer for us.”

It was Flahr who decided to select Gendron despite protests from the player’s dad, Marty, a Philadelphia Flyers scout since 2008.

Marty Gendron thought his son would have added pressure if he went to his dad’s team. But Flahr and scout Todd Hearty believed Gendron was too good to bypass.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ entire rookie-camp roster was released Monday. The camp is free and open to the public, as is veteran camp, which starts Sept. 22 with on-ice activities.

NHL & National Hockey Now News

Florida Hockey Now: Sam Bennett is coming off a career season with Florida. But with one of his linemates (Jonathan Huberdeau) traded and another (Anthony Duclair) set set to miss at least the first half of the season with a torn Achilles, what will be in store for him this year? Florida Panthers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Swedish legend Anders Hedberg sharply criticizes the Red Wings’ Lucas Raymond. Detroit Red Wings.

Washington Hockey Now: Updates on the Capitals before training camp. Washington Hockey Now.

San Jose Hockey Now: Joe Thornton and his family have moved back to San Jose. Could he return to the Sharks? San Jose Sharks.

Montreal Hockey Now: Juraj Slafkovsky has a giolden chance to make the Habs’ roster. Montreal Canadiens.