This week's Future Flyers Report details some confusion involving a key defensive prospect, as well as news of an entry-level deal and continuation of a homestand in Reading. Check out how the Flyers' farm fared after the jump.
Juniors:
The Flyers signed 21-year-old Tyrell Goulbourne to a three-year entry-level deal on Tuesday. Goulbourne, a third-round choice in 2013, has 17 goals, 38 points and a plus-14 rating in 56 games with the Kelowna Rockets this season.
In one game this week, Nicolas Aubé-Kubel scored a goal, as his Val-d'Or Foreurs beat Gatineau 4-2. Aubé-Kubel's 32nd tally tied the game with 9:27 to play in the third period.
Travis Sanheim and Radel Fazleev each recorded assists in the Calgary Hitmen's 5-4 win over Kamloops on Tuesday (a two-assist effort for Sanheim). Fazleev also scored his 18th goal the next night, but the Hitmen fell 3-2 to Prince George.
American League:
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms were mired in conflicting reports regarding defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL.
As first reported by Gary Blockus of the Allentown Morning Call, coach Terry Murray said Thursday that Gostisbehere would be shut down for the remainder of the season. But following the Flyers' 3-1 victory over St. Louis on Thursday, Ron Hextall contradicted that notion, saying a decision has yet to be made. Gostisbehere tore his ACL back in November, and has been skating in a non-contact role for the past month with hopes of returning to the lineup.
In his first professional season, 'Ghost' recorded five assists in five games for the Phantoms, and was held point-less with a minus-two rating with the Flyers in October.
The Phantoms (25-23-6-1) have been idle for the week, and take the ice at PPL Center this weekend, facing Bridgeport on Saturday and Portland on Sunday. They still sit third in the East Division with 57 points, but their playoff hopes keep slipping. They remain nine points out of the final playoff spot, but would have to leap-frog over four teams to get to it.
ECHL:
The Reading Royals beat Elmira 5-1 on Monday, with Sean Wiles and Ryan Cruthers each scoring twice — their 20th and 12th goals of the season, respectively. Olivier Labelle scored as well, as Connor Knapp turned away 21 of 20 pucks.
The Flyers' ECHL affiliate will close out their five-game homestand this weekend, as they welcome Toledo for back-to-back action on Saturday and Sunday.
Despite their largely-idle week, the Royals (37-14-2-2) sit tied with Fort Wayne for first place in the Eastern Conference, with 78 points. They also sit four points ahead of Florida in the East Division, though the Everblades have two games in hand.
Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61
