Flyers’ Bobby Brink Will Get Plenty of Ice-Time vs. Rangers

Expect Bobby Brink to get more than his share of ice-time this weekend when the Philadelphia Flyers play the New York Rangers in the Rookie Series.

That’s what Phantoms coach Ian Laperrière said at the first day of Rookie Camp on Thursday at Voorhees.

“I’m going to give him a lot of ice-time this weekend,” Laperrière said. “Now, I can’t wait to see him healthy and be who everybody talks about.”

Brink needed hip surgery in July 2022 to repair a torn labrum. He struggled when he returned to play for the Phantoms in January last season. He played 41 games and scored 12 goals and 16 assists.

“I do feel fully back [from the injury],” Brink said Thursday. “Coming off the injury and going right into the middle of the season, I was a little bit behind everybody else. I think coming in and having an even playing field will benefit me.”

Brink, 22, is a talented right wing who helped the University of Denver win the NCAA title in 2022. He was a Flyers’ second-round pick (34th overall) in 2019. He is undersized at 5-foot-8, 166 pounds, but plays with speed and skill.

“I just want to show that I’m back, healthy and I had a good offseason,” Brink said about playing this weekend against the Rangers.

Some believe Brink has a chance to make the Flyers out of training camp. Philadelphia needs more offense and Brink could provide it. He played 10 games with the Flyers late in the 2021-22 season and had four assists.

“That’s the guy I told my staff all year last year I can’t wait for next year to see who he is healthy,” Laperrière said.

“Yes, he was healthy but that’s a big surgery. We’ve seen it with G [Claude Giroux] and those guys that had surgery here. It took them a little while to get going.

“But Brinker’s got this, he’s got great hands. He scored, he produced for us down there [with Phantoms]. This training camp, I’m very excited. That’s the guy I’m looking forward to see.”

Rookie Series Details

Game 1 of the Rookie Series in Allentown is Friday night at 7:05 (no TV). Game 2 is Saturday night at 5:05 p.m. and will be shown on NBC Sports Philadelphia+.

“I saw flashes during the year, more than flashes,” Laperrière said about Brink. “He’s a helluva player. Let’s be honest. He’s got great hands, great, great vision.

“But you could tell during the season we played [three games in three nights] and by the third game he ran out of juice. So I think this year he’s going to be healthy and who he’s supposed to be. And I’m excited for that.”

Camp Notes

• J.R. Avon did not participate, the only player of the 25 on the sidelines. Laperrière said he believed Avon was having some “lower-body tests” and wasn’t sure if he was going to be available against the Rangers.
• Emil Andrae said if he doesn’t make the Flyers out of Training Camp, he will be permitted to remain in North America and play for the Phantoms. His club, HV71, gave Andrae permission to play here.
• Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson, who missed last season with injuries, skated Thursday with other veterans before Rookie Camp.
• Laperrière praised defenseman Adam Ginning and joked that with three Swedes on the back end —Ginning, Andrae and Helge Grans — “We’ll change our jersey to yellow and blue, Swedish color.”

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Coming at 9:30 a.m.: Sam Carchidi column on many things Flyers.

Coming at 11:30 a.m.: Why Flyers prospect Tyson Foerster is ready to make the big club.

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