Flyers: Oliver Bonk has the “total package”, according to a member of the organization

The 2023 draft was full of surprises, and we’re likely to see more in the future as these youngsters develop.

The Montreal Canadiens were lucky in 2022 with their two second-round picks, who became Owen Beck (33rd overall) and Lane Hutson (62nd overall). Both Tricolore hopefuls have made meteoric progress, showing different things.

It’s not every year that teams manage to make a late first-round steal, or a late second-round steal at all.

For the Philadelphia Flyers, the 22nd overall pick in the last draft, Oliver Bonk, may well become an excellent choice in the future.

NHL.com writer Adam Kimelman spoke with the young right-handed defenseman, as well as the Flyers’ assistant director of player development, Nick Schultz.

Schultz had good things to say about the club’s new prospect, who he believes will be the total package in the future.

“In my opinion, he looks like the total package watching him at development camp with the drills and everything.” – Nick Schultz

Oliver Bonk is an 18-year-old right-handed defenseman with the London Knights. Of course, he played in the shadow of a certain Logan Mailloux, who took most of the playing time at five-on-five and on the power play.

The son of former CH player Radek Bonk still managed 40 points in 67 games, while being an obvious choice defensively.

Not only does he excel defensively, he also knows how to use his 6 feet 2 inches to win battles along the boards.

“He loves to defend. He’s big and powerful and very competitive. When he has the puck, he seems to have that level of talent and skill to create plays.” – Nick Shultz

Shultz says he’s excited to have such a prospect in the organization and to be able to help him reach the NHL.

Bonk was also quick to shower his London head coach, Dale Hunter, with praise.

He says he’s an NHL-style coach and he’s not going to fake anything. If you’re not playing well, he won’t be afraid to tell you, rather than tell you lies. With him, everything starts with honesty, and that’s what makes players better over time.

“I owe a lot to them (Dale and Mark Hunter). They’re not there to promote themselves, they’re there to help others achieve success.” – Oliver Bonk

I invite you to read the entire interview, right here.

Bonk specifies that he wants to add bulk to his 6 feet 2 inches, as he currently weighs only 180 pounds. Becoming more powerful could make him an enviable first option on the London Knights’ defensive brigade, as Mailloux joins the professional ranks, either in Laval or Montreal.

Definitely, Logan Mailloux’s departure from the London Knights will give him a much more important role, and he should make the most of the coming year by seizing this opportunity.

Highlights

– A well-paid triple.

Danny clears em’ 🤫 pic.twitter.com/csNonhbGdC

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 16, 2023

– Not to be missed.

#GLOBLJAM WOMEN’S GOLD MEDAL GAME IS UNDERWAY! 🇨🇦 🏆 🇺🇸

Catch @CanBball vs. TEAM USA (represented by @LouisvilleWBB) now on Sportsnet! 📺 pic.twitter.com/AY1E9zrpZ4

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 16, 2023

– Nice win for the Jays.

– Six teams have the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup in 2024.