Flyers prospect watch: Playing the long game with Bobby Brink

Dave Isaac | NHL Writer

Because of their one-inch height difference and affinity for scoring goals, the comparisons won’t end anytime soon for Cole Caufield and Bobby Brink.

The Flyers passed on the former twice on draft night in Vancouver this summer and ultimately took the latter in the second round. So far, the numbers look a little lopsided.

Caufield, who was selected 15th overall by the Montreal Canadiens and attends the University of Wisconsin, is tied for the NCAA lead in scoring among freshman with nine goals and 17 points in 15 games. Brink has six goals and 11 points in 14 games for the University of Denver.

Caufield and Brink were on the same team at last season’s under-18 World Championship where Caufield racked up 14 goals and 18 points in seven games on a line with Jack Hughes and Trevor Zegras and Brink had three goals and three assists in five games playing with Alex Turcotte and Matthew Boldy.

“They probably played against each other in minor hockey every once in a while, (also),” Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said. “They’re familiar. They’re both goal scorers. They’re both smart players and Caufield right now is probably a little advanced in strength and skating but I think Brink is gonna get there. He plays the right way, is a really competitive kid. He’s such a talented guy. He’ll need a little more time and Cole is obviously a little more advanced. He’s obviously very small but he does what he does. He can score and he’s a dynamic small player.”

There is also the built-in connection for Brink, who played against Flyers president and general manager Chuck Fletcher’s son Keith growing up. Fletcher and Flahr moved up in the second round 11 spots to select Brink.

It’s an investment in more ways than one.

Unlike Caufield, who many pundits think could turn pro after his freshman season, Brink will take more time. The Flyers project at least two NCAA seasons for Brink before he turns pro and has a few areas to improve his game, a list that Flahr mentioned begins with strength and skating.

He could get some big-time experience soon. In two weeks, USA Hockey will start practicing with a roster of players for the World Junior Championship. Brink was among the 40 players in the summer showcase and odds of making the final roster should only have increased with Joel Farabee and Oliver Wahlstrom both playing pro hockey this season.

This week’s prospect report looks at four NCAA prospects with insights from Flahr.

*stats through Saturday, Nov. 30

Bobby Brink, right wing, University of Denver (NCAA)

Age: 18

Height/weight: 5-foot-8, 164 pounds

Acquired: 2019 second-round draft pick (34th overall)

This season: 14 games, 6 goals, 5 assists

The skinny: Assuming Brink plays in the World Junior Championships, which begin later this month, his stock could rise outside of the Flyers’ front office. They’re already high on the diminutive winger who is playing for one of the better teams in the nation (ranked fifth last week).

Flahr’s take: “Chuck’s seen him too for a long time. (Brink) played against his son in Minnesota so I’ve seen him since he was a freshman in high school. He was always the best player. He’s small but he’s so competitive, so smart, so skilled and when he got to the USHL, he had plans of starting in the USHL and going back to high school then he just dominated the USHL. I think he was over two points a game there for a while until he got hurt. He ended up staying and obviously just kept it going. That’s a hard league to get those type of numbers as a rookie. For us you look at the intangibles, he’s highly competitive and very skilled.”

Tanner Laczynski, forward, Ohio State University (NCAA)

Age: 22

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

Acquired: 2016 sixth-round draft pick (169th overall)

This season: 13 games, 4 goals, 9 assists

The skinny: In his last season of college hockey, Laczynski finds himself back in the middle of the ice. Last season he played mostly on the wing for the Buckeyes. The Flyers have always been high on Laczynski as a depth player in the NHL (they tried to get him to sign after last season) and they’re open to him playing either center or the right side when he turns pro.

Flahr’s take: “I think he can play either. I think he’s always played either but the best thing about him is his versatility. He’s a guy that can certainly take faceoffs. He can really shoot the puck. He can play on the defensive side of things but he’s shown in college that his offensive side of his game has really come. He plays a lot there. I think he gets to the point where he has to pace himself. When he gets to pro hockey he won’t play as much but at the same time the pace of his game is gonna come. Overall a good kid, real honest player.”

Noah Cates, left wing, University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

Age: 20

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds

Acquired: 2017 fifth-round draft pick (137th overall)

This season: 14 games, 7 goals, 5 assists

The skinny: Playing on a line with his brother, Jackson, Cates has a bigger role as a sophomore for the reigning Frozen Four winning Bulldogs. He’s not the flashiest player but as he’s grown physically, he’s learned to use that as a tool in his game. Strong play without the puck has garnered praise from pundits and his college coach, Scott Sandelin.

Flahr’s take: “He’s been really good. All the viewings from all of our guys, he’s pretty much the same all the time. He manages the game like a very smart player. He’s getting stronger and every game he plays the right way. He’s a guy all of our staff is very high on.”

Gavin Hain, left wing, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Age: 19

Height/weight: 6-feet, 197 pounds

Acquired: 2018 sixth-round draft pick (174th overall)

This season: 14 games, 1 goal, 2 assists

The skinny: Last season Hain missed six games of his freshman season with mononucleosis and never really had a huge role for UND but gained the trust of coach Brad Berry. Regarded as a strong skater and good two-way player, Hain is still working his way up the depth chart as a sophomore.

Flahr’s take: “He’s in their bottom-six right now. He’s on the third line playing wing just recently, which will be good for him. He’s a pretty simple player. When he’s on top of his game he plays hard. He’s energy, penalty killer, goes to the hard areas. He’s a role player. That’s what we see. They’re having some success here though and we’ll see as he gets a little more experience if he’ll get a bigger role and start producing as well.”

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Dave Isaac joined the Courier-Post in April 2012 after covering the Flyers for three seasons elsewhere. Contact him on Twitter @davegisaac or by email at disaac@gannett.com.

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