Bobby Brink on the Brink By: Dylan Robillard
Bobby Brink #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the New Jersey Devils at a preseason game at the Prudential Center on September 25, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
With a New Era of Orange comes new beginnings. For Bobby Brink, it is no different.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced their opening night roster on Monday, featuring thirteen forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders. Bobby Orr Brink was among the 13 forwards listed, earning a roster spot after a vigorous training camp and preseason.
Brink looked like a whole other different player during camp. After having last season ripped away with an upper body injury along with previous health concerns. Flyers fans have never really given Brink a true shot to prove himself. However, at least right now. Flyers management and fans alike are excited to see Bobby Brink slot into the opening night lineup.
In a preseason game against Boston, he earned a goal and an assist (with a beautiful shootout goal to top it off). He added another assist the next night and while he was held off the scoresheet on Monday, it was far from unproductive. Almost tailing two assists off slick feeds to Travis Sanheim and Noah Cates. The 22-year-old showed his creative skill and playmaking ability throughout the non-credited contests.
Philadelphia Flyers RW Bobby Brink scores during the shoot-out. The Flyers beat the Boston Bruins, 4-3, in a shoot-out.
(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Bobby Brink has showcased a diverse range of his skillset, on and off the scoresheet. Being present everywhere on the ice, well, his offensive abilities are among NHL level talent; Travis Konecny, Cam Atkinson, and Farabee.
“It’s hard for me to keep Bobby Brink away from a top six role right now as far as how many plays he’s making,” John Tortorella said.
Both Tyson Foerster and Bobby Brink have made the opening night roster but Brink will get priority over Foerster, with veterans taking up most roster spots for opening night well Foerster watches on from the press box. A judgment call made by head coach John Tortorella which is expected not to last, per GM Danny Briere.
“I think early on, it’s a respectful thing for the opener to treat the veterans right,” Briere said on Tuesday morning. “But then their play will dictate who plays. You all know Torts by now. He’s not afraid if someone is not performing, he’s not going to hold back, he’s going to play the young guys.”
Originally, the Flyers general manager considered Brink as a legitimate longshot to make the NHL out of camp, let alone make the starting 12.
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (10) skates past the bench during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on September 29, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Bobby, we didn’t expect him to be as good as he was,” GM Danny Briere said. “I think he’s been probably our best forward in training camp.”
The Philadelphia Flyers second round, 2019 draft pick, spent time up with the big club last season but played more than half the season in Lehigh Valley. In January of this year, Bobby Brink was reactivated to play with the Phantoms after a hip injury sidelined him for 5 months. Following his return, he had 12 goals and 16 assists in 41 games. Prior to his injury, Brink played in 10 games with the Flyers earning his first NHL point and 4 assists.
Bobby Brink is one of four rookies who made the Philadelphia Flyers roster out of camp, joining Emil Andrae, Tyson Foerster, and Sam Ersson. Brink was on the top line with Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee last week. He was originally on the fourth line but got pumped up, earning the respect of coach John Tortorella who also had him on the No. 1 power-play unit.
“He had a really good camp, and he’s a player that we don’t have a lot of,” John Tortorella said after practice in Voorhees, referring to Brink’s style, playmaking, and ability to see the ice. “He deserves to be here and we’ll see where it goes.”
Bobby Brink has made the roster, giving him the chance to change his rookie number. He chose No. 10 out of respect for soccer/football star Leo Messi;
“I haven’t seen him play, but I’ve watched a lot of his highlights on YouTube,” he said. “I never (played soccer as a kid), but the video game [EA’s FIFA series] got me into it, and now I follow everything.”
This will be Brink’s first season-opener with the Flyers in his career. All eyes will be on the rookie to see how he handles himself under the bright lights at full health and if he can stay hot.
Dylan Robillard- Nights in the Alley/ Olde City Sports Network