With rookie executives Danny Briere and Keith Jones at the helm of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, it was on them and the new regime to craft together a solid offseason and 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Indeed, they did. Filling some gaps on the depth chart, taking a few risks, and finding a few sleeper picks. Improving the Flyers' prospect pool from the previous seasons.

The Flyers selected 10 players in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, including defenseman Carter Sotheran of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). Carter is the son of Regan Windsor and Ryan Sotheran. The 18-year-old was selected 135th overall in the fifth round of the draft.

“It’s super exciting, great organization, great people. Was down there for a while so I got to know everyone, new facilities and everything. Just looking forward to it and super excited.”

Being drafted by an NHL organization is a monumental achievement for any hockey player—yet as the summer winds down, training camp is where the real work begins. Carter Sotheran attended Flyers camp and quickly caught management's attention and was one of only a handful of 18 year olds remaining at camp before being sent back to junior.

Despite a history of NHL players and prospects struggling to get through John Tortorella’s infamous training camp. Sotheran rose to the occasion. He said the grueling training, although physically demanding, helped him prepare for the season.

“It was pretty tough, that skate was very harsh, but no it was a good learning experience, got me ready for the season and [he] seemed like a good guy [John Tortorella].”

Before impressing at Flyers training camp. The Sanford, Manitoba native, began his Triple-A career in 2018-19, playing for the Pembina Valley Hawks U15 AAA. The following year, he would be named captain of the Valley Hawks U15 team before making the jump to the U18 team. In his time with the U15 squad, Sotheran posted 26 goals, 50 assists, and 76 points in 72 games played. Putting him on a point-per-game pace well also racking up 76 penalty minutes. At the U18 level, it was more of the same: 21 goals and 34 assists in 55 games played and again tallying a good chunk of penalty minutes.

This caught the eye of the Portland Winterhawks scouts and management who called his name in the familiar fifth round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Sotheran played in his rookie season at just 17 years old. Despite wanting to stay in Portland in 2021, Sotheran, mature beyond his years, took his return home in stride:

“I wanted to stay there at 16,” Sotheran said. “I loved being here during preseason, but I knew it was the right move to send me back at the time and get lots of ice time back home. I took the feedback seriously and learned what (Portland) said to me, and made sure I did exactly what they asked.”

Carter Sotheran was overlooked by NHL scouts a year ago, but things took a significant turn for the better following a stellar rookie campaign with the Portland Winterhawks. Sotheran finished second in the Western Hockey League among rookie defensemen with 23 points. Being the only Winterhawk to appear in all 68 regular season games and winning the club's Rookie of the Year award.

Sotheran still possesses three more years of WHL eligibility now that the Philadelphia Flyers now hold his rights, he will continue to work on his game in the coming years with the potential for a spot on Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ backend in the future.

This past weekend, the Portland Winterhawks played three straight games as part of their current lengthy Alberta road trip. Which, however, marked the start of the Portland Winterhawks’ losing skid on Friday night. But the club got back into the win column in Medicine Hat on Wednesday. 

Heading into the road trip, the Winterhawks were undefeated in October and were ranked the best team in the CHL top 10. Despite the impressive play, the club ran into a brick wall to close out the weekend. 

“Just looking to the next one, we got a really good team here this year so coming together as a group, figuring out what we did wrong and going from there.” Carter Sotheran continues. “We have been playing well, we had 60 shots, a lot of chances. I think if we keep doing what we are doing, things will go our way, and it will be a win, but just looking forward to the next one.” 

It had been over four years since the two clubs had met in Calgary. The Hitmen still have Portland beaten, though; in 2019, they defeated the Hawks 5-2. The 2023 reenactment was far from friendly, despite the teams rarely seeing one another. Sotheran even got involved in the second period, manhandling Tyson Greenway of the Calgary Hitmen.

There's no denying that Sotheran has a firm demeanor in his game, akin to that of a broad street bully. Taking after former Philadelphia Flyers like Scott Hartnell. 

“Yeah for sure, ever since I was little I like that [style], definitely a part of my game.”

Hartnell, a former Flyer turned NBC Sports Philadelphia analyst, and Carter Sotheran originally crossed paths years ago, and they reconvened this past summer at the Flyers’ practice facility in Voorhees, NJ.

Carter Sotheran is a hard nosed hockey player, who was born to wear the orange and black after growing up watching the Flyers in the early to late 2000s. Kids want to be Philadelphia Flyers, and it is starting to show more and more. 

“I always watched the Flyers growing up. My Dad had a buddy in the organization, so I always cheered for them and when I got to meet him [Scott Hartnell] it was pretty special. Ever since then, they have been the team I’ve watched.”

Last week, the young defenseman must have been watching old Flyers games. Sotheran himself had a Hartnell-like moment and no, I don’t mean Hartnelldown. Scott Hartnell scored a goal and immediately fought Dion Phaneuf back in 2012, which Sotheran followed to a tee, scoring a goal then not soon after dropping the gloves with Jayden Wiens of the Brandon Wheat Kings. 

In his first year in the WHL and tacking on more games this season, Sotheran has had three fights and is not afraid to lay the body. He has a pro ready 6-foot-4, 205 pound build with a strong physical demeanor. 

“Jumping up in the rush, getting my offense back and playing solid defensively, playing consistent every night and hopefully the offense comes with it.” 

Sotheran has played in 10 games since returning to the Western Hockey League, adding four assists and three goals to his already potent two-way stats. Besides helping his team succeed, he has set goals for himself and is constantly striving to get better in every aspect of his game as his career progresses.

Looking at Carter Sotheran’s underlying stats and watching film, you can see his hockey IQ shine through: always up in the play, looking for open lanes, finding the open man, and making or creating plays. He is also good at transiting. Regarding comparing him to a current Philadelphia Flyer or NHL defenseman, he shows shades of a young Travis Sanheim without the turnovers or 2019-20 Ivan Provorov or Shayne Gostisbehere. However, he plays the body more than the three listed. 

Nonetheless, Sotheran is his own player and only 18-years-old. He has a long road ahead but looks forward to paving his own path into the Philadelphia Flyers organization. It’s not a matter of how but when for him as wanting to be a part of the next great Flyers team is the ultimate goal. If he is not on your radar already, he should be.

-Dylan Robillard/ Olde City Sports Network