Flyers sign Carson Bjarnason to Entry-Level Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers signed 2023 second-round draft pick Carson Bjarnason to a three-year, entry-level contract Tuesday, according to general manager Daniel Briere.

The Flyers aggressively went after Bjarnason, a 6-foot-3 goaltender, in the draft. They traded up with the Blackhawks to draft Bjarnason in the second round, 51st overall. They dealt their 2023 sixth-round pick (167th overall) and the 2024 second-round pick acquired from the Kings in the Ivan Provorov trade for the 51st overall pick.

Bjarnason, 18, who played well in the recent Rookie Series against the Rangers, plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings, of the Western Hockey League. Bjarnason was 21-19-6 for the Wheat Kings last season, with a 3.08 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage and three shutouts in 47 games.

He won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2023 U18 World Championships, going 4-2-0 with a 3.51 goals-against average and a .849 save percentage, and one shutout in six games.

Bjarnason is scheduled to return to the Wheat Kings this season.

During an interview session at Rookie Camp, Bjarnason said he had improved since he was drafted in June.

“Just [my] overall game,” Bjarnason said. “It’s getting better, looking off pucks, being able to play the puck, just all of the little pro habits that translate to the higher levels.”

The Flyers already have six goaltenders under contract — Carter Hart, Sam Ersson, Felix Sandstrom, Cal Petersen, Alexei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov. Plus, they drafted Egor Zavragin in the third round in 2023.