If you were a coach, you would have a challenging time finding reasons not to like Jett Luchanko. He may not be the flashiest player in the world, but Luchanko is an excellent skater, playmaker, and defensive forward, and is a physical freak. Luchanko took a considerable step on a weaker Guelph Storm team in the OHL and was far and away their best player. Luchanko’s 1.22 points per game played may seem underwhelming for an NHL lottery pick, but when realizing he was 0.2 points per game above his next closest teammate put things into perspective. Following his OHL season, Luchanko stepped back into professional hockey, this time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he played his final 16 games of the year. In the nine regular-season AHL games, Luchanko was solid and showed off his playmaking with three assists. In the playoffs, Luchanko took it to the next level with six assists in only seven games. This is a sign of the type of player Luchanko will be down the road in the NHL: one who brings his game to the next level come late spring. Luchanko projects as a defensively elite second-line center and a player NHL teams are jealous of. Luchanko’s immediate future next season is uncertain, but it would not be shocking at all if he earns a spot with the Flyers and remains in the lineup.

Drafted 13th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft as a 17-year-old, Jett Luchanko made an impressive debut by earning a spot on the Flyers roster out of training camp. Known for his elite speed and dependable defensive play, Luchanko was trusted by Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella to be part of the opening night lineup. After playing four games with the Flyers, he has since been sent back to the Guelph Storm of the OHL.

Luchanko is known for his impressive speed, ability to maneuver through defenses, and creating scoring opportunities, making him a potential threat whenever he has the puck. He is responsible in the defensive zone and can transition quickly, a style the Flyers have adopted under Head Coach John Tortorella. At 17, Luchanko was one of the youngest players in the draft, but with his work ethic and ever-improving defensive game, he could prove to be a very good top-six center for years to come.

Luchanko was selected 13th overall by the Flyers.

Luchanko’s on-ice testing at the CHL top prospects game is making scouts talk, but the projectability of his game is what has seen him crack the first round on Bob McKenzie’s list, among others. We’re not as sold — despite his team-leading 53 points in 48 OHL games — that there’s enough skill to make him worth the first-round bet, but the combination of raw athletic ability, high motor, solid skating and defensive acumen makes Luchanko an easy-to-project player. There’s a role in the NHL as a third-line checking forward in Luchanko’s near future, and for an August birthday, that’s rare.