Flyers Draft Pick Scouting Report: Rounds 4-7

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Following the team's first two selections in the first round on Friday night, used to take Joel Farabee and Jay O'Brien, the Flyers had seven picks entering Day 2. They ultimately used six of those picks.

The first was used in the second round on defenseman Adam Ginning. We provided a scouting report on the defenseman earlier today.

Here are scouting reports on the remaining five players selected on Day 2.

John St. Ivany
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 pounds
Position: D
Team: Sioux Falls (USHL)

Once you hit the fourth round, you start looking at potential for growth. John "Jack" St. Ivany has that potential.

This is a budding blueliner with a lot of promise in his game. He's consistent and plays a solid two-way game, plays in all situations and combines hockey smarts and mobility. He has a high hockey IQ, plays an athletic style and puts a lot of focus on his defensive zone play. 

St. Ivany is 6'3" and 200 pounds, but still needs to add some size and strength, so he needs to work on being a more physical presence so he doesn't come away on the losing end of battles. Even so, in the defensive zone he's able to use his reach and an active stick to disrupt opponents and can keep players to the outside and away from the net.

He also needs to improve his skating, but these are skills and areas he can work on at the college level as he starts to develop into a pro prospect. St. Ivany is committed to Yale. 

Wyatte Wylie
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 192 pounds
Position: D
Team: Everett (WHL)

Considered a draft riser, Wylie is a great value pick for the Flyers in the fifth round. His production improved over the last year and as the season went on at Everett, he gradually improved.

He's a transitional defenseman with good hockey sense and the ability to make a strong outlet pass. He's a poised defenseman, able to engage physically and not be overmatched while having good mobility to be effective in the offensive zone as well. He's got a strong shot, but his future role is more of a shutdown defenseman. He's an excellent shot-blocker, uses his size well and does a solid job on the penalty kill.

He was especially on his game during Everett's playoff run in the WHL Playoffs, showcasing the combination of poise, mobility and hockey sense that helped his stock rise.

Samuel Ersson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 176 pounds
Position: G
Team: Brynas IF (SHL)

It wouldn't be a Ron Hextall draft if the Flyers didn't select a goalie. They got one in the fifth round, selecting Samuel Ersson.

Ersson comes from the Swedish leagues, playing for Brynas, the same team that at one time had Oskar Lindblom and Felix Sandstrom on the roster, so there's history there.

Ersson is a butterfly goalie with poise in the net and crisp motions. He's good on his edges which allows him to be in good position and his butterfly skills are well-refined so he's able to showcase rebound control and be square to the shooter.

He's also a fairly confidence goaltender with good composure and net presence. He handles himself well under pressure.

As with any goalie in the draft, there is room for improvement in many areas. He needs to become more athletic so as to make quick reaction saves, but his foundation of puck tracking skills, composure and mechanics make him a solid choice. He is considered a draft sleeper among netminders.

Gavin Hain
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 194 pounds
Position: C
Team: USA U18 (NTDP)

On the USA U18 National Development Team, he didn't have a major role like Farabee, so his work was mainly in a checking role. He's an energy player for sure, tenacious on the puck with a thick frame that is well suited for forechecking. 

He competes well and is more skilled than most depth players and he's got a nose for the net and a good shot to provide some offensive upside.

Hain's area of improvement is in his skating. His acceleration isn't great and he struggles to slow the game down once at top speed. This can lead to unforced errors and missed opportunities offensively, so if he can get that under control, he has the chance to add a lot of offensive upside to his already high-energy game.

He doesn't have glaring weaknesses, but doesn't excel in one particular area either. He fits the bill of a depth forward and could be a solid checking-line player in the NHL if he maximizes his potential.

Marcus Westfalt
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 203 pounds
Position: C
Team: Brynas IF (SHL)

Westfalt is listed as a center but can play both center and the wing, making him a versatile pick. He's a smart player, good on special teams, good with the puck and combines solid offensive and defensive awareness.

A big, strong forward with good netfront presence, he's got a lot of the tools needed for the pro game including hands, puck protection and is a capable shot blocker and can get in the passing lanes on defense and the penalty kill.

The big issue with him is skating. He's an average skater at best who needs to work on his acceleration and quickness. If he can put it all together, he's certainly a value pick, capable of being a bottom-six role player with some offensive upside.