Flyers Underrated Prospect Ready to Make Impact

Dylan H. Robillard

Jan 21, 2024, 13:17

Dylan H. Robillard

Jan 21, 2024, 13:17

Philadelphia Flyers 5th round draft pick is ready to take the next step in his hockey career.

Matthew Wolfe-Portland Winterhawks AP - Flyers Underrated Prospect Ready to Make Impact

Philadelphia Flyers rookie executives Daniel Briere and Keith Jones had quite a successful first NHL Entry Draft in 2023, expanding the club's growing prospect pool. GM Briere and President of Hockey Operations Jones filled some necessary gaps on the depth chart, taking some calculated risks and hopefully finding a sleeper pick or two in the later rounds.

The Flyers selected ten players in the NHL Draft, taking the latter and drafting WHL defenseman Carter Sotheran of the Portland Winterhawks. The Flyers' new regime selected the son of Regan Windsor and Ryan Sotheran with the 135th overall pick of the draft.

"It’s super exciting, great organization, great people,” Sotheran told The Hockey News about being drafted by Philadelphia. "I was down there for a while, so I got to know everyone, new facilities and everything. Just looking forward to it and super excited."

Sotheran attended the Flyers’ rookie camp in Voorhees, NJ, last summer where he quickly caught the attention of management with a productive showing and was one of the last cuts from training camp before returning to juniors. Despite a history of NHL players and prospects struggling to get through head coach John Tortorella’s infamous training camp, Sotheran rose to the occasion at the gruelling and physically demanding camp that helped him prepare for the then-upcoming season.

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

The Sanford, Manitoba native, before impressing at Flyers training camp, began his competitive hockey career at the Triple-A level 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 and 50 assists for 76 points in 72 outings putting him over a point-per-game average while racking up 76 penalty minutes. At the U18 level, he continued his strong production with 21 goals and 34 assists in 55 games along with a good chunk of penalty minutes.

Having caught the eye of the WHL Portland Winterhawks scouts and management, that organization called his name in the ensuing fifth round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft where Sotheran played in his rookie season at just 17 years old. Despite wanting to stay in Portland a year prior, the Winterhawks had a crowded blueline, and Sotheran took the demotion in stride.

“I wanted to stay there at 16. 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." Sotheran said. "I took the feedback seriously. I learned from what [Portland] said to me and made sure I did exactly what they asked.”

Heading into his freshmen year in the Western Hockey League, NHL scouts immensely overlooked Sotheran. That changed quickly for the gritty young defenseman following a stellar rookie campaign with the Winterhawks.

Sotheran finished second in the Western Hockey League among rookie defensemen with 23 points, was the only Winterhawk to appear in all 68 regular season games, and captured the club's Rookie of the Year award.

With three more years of WHL eligibility and the Philadelphia Flyers holding his signing rights, Sotheran has plenty of time to develop and be awarded a spot on the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ backend in the near future before cracking the National Hockey League.

Sotheran isn't shy to lay the body or get involved in a scrum, playing with a firm demeanour akin to a classic Broad Street Bully, taking after former Philadelphia Flyers like Scott Hartnell. Sotheran is well aware of what his strong presence on the ice was like and loves it.

“Yeah, for sure, ever since I was little, I like that [style]," Sotheran stated. "It's definitely a part of my game."

Scott Hartnell, a former NHL player now an NBC Sports Philadelphia TV analyst and Carter Sotheran originally crossed paths years ago, and they reconvened this past summer at the Flyers’ practice facility during camp.

Carter is a new aged, hard nosed defenseman who it appears was rightfully born to wear the orange and black. He grew up watching the Flyers in the early to late 2000s. The club is building a culture which Sotheran is looking to be a part of.

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

In late October, Sotheran had a Hartnell-like moment mimicking one he recalls the former Flyer had back in 2012 when he scored a goal and immediately fought then Toronto Maple Leaf Captain Dion Phaneuf. On October 23, 2023, Sotheran scored a goal soon after dropping the gloves with Jayden Wiens of the Brandon Wheat Kings. During his short time in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Sotheran has quite the report card: three fights and 81 penalty minutes in 67 games.

Sotheran has a stocky, pro ready 6-foot-4, 205-pound build and can play both sides of the puck extremely well — two-way defenseman with a strong defensive upside. He follows the identical probabilities of none other than Dion Phaneuf, who had a very successful career in the NHL.

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

Sotheran has played 39 games this season, adding seven goals, 15 assists and 22 points to his already potent two-way stats. He is one point shy of tying a career-high and holds third in the WHL for most game-winning goals with five on the year. He has outstanding hockey IQ, setting himself and teammates up, constantly surveying the ice and working towards getting better in every aspect of his game.

Looking at Sotheran’s underlying stats and watching film, it doesn't take a scout to notice his hockey mind flourishing, always up in the play, looking for open lanes, finding the open man, and making plays. He is known as a transition specialist, with impressive mobility despite his size. Sotheran creates offensive from the defensive zone, carrying the puck coast-to-coast.

To Flyers defensemen, current and old, Sotheran shows shades of Travis Sanheim, a young Ivan Provorov, or Shayne Gostisbehere. However, he plays the body more than the three listed and isn't allergic to physical altercations either.

At 18 years old, Carter Sotheran has a long road ahead but looks forward to paving his own path in the Philadelphia Flyers organization. It’s not a matter of how, but when, for him. His end goal is to be a part of the next great Flyers team.

If he is not on your radar already, he should be.

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Flyers Underrated Prospect Ready to Make Impact