Five things to know about Flyers rookie Jett Luchanko

When the Flyers drafted Jett Luchanko in June, nobody expected him to make the team. Fast forward a few months and he's poised to make his Flyers debut. Here are five things to know about the newest Flyer:

1. History maker

Assuming Luchanko suits up Friday in Vancouver as expected, he will become the youngest player to ever debut for the Flyers at 18 years and 51 days old. Luchanko would break Dainius Zubrus' record from 1996 (18 years, 111 days).

2. An exception to the rule

While an 18-year-old playing professionally isn't uncommon in some other sports, it has become rarer and rarer in the NHL. Luchanko and San Jose's Macklin Celebrini (the No. 1 overall pick) are the only 2024 draftees on NHL opening rosters.

3. All in a name

Luchanko couldn't be more appropriately named "Jett," as he has jets. The rookie's speed turned heads at camp, and GM Danny Brière said Luchanko was pushing Owen Tippett, the fastest-tracked skater in the NHL last season, for pace.

4. Defensively detailed

Luchanko's advanced defensive game is the second-biggest reason he made the team. The London, Ontario, native comes from a Guelph Storm pipeline that has recently churned out two-way centers like Nick Suzuki (MON) and Matthew Poitras (BOS).

5. Is he here to stay?

That's complicated. Luchanko is allowed to play in nine NHL games before his contract kicks in for the entire season. The Flyers then have to decide whether to keep him with the club or send him back to junior for the rest of the season.