Flyers Make 5 Recalls; 2023 1st Round Pick to Make NHL Debut
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images Eric Bolte-Imagn Images After clinching their postseason berth on Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers have made a flurry of recalls from Lehigh Valley. On Tuesday morning, the team announced that they have recalled forwards Jacob Gaucher and Anthony Richard, as well as defensemen Oliver Bonk and Hunter McDonald, and goalie Aleksei Kolosov. Both Gaucher and Richard had stints with the Flyers last season and have played for the Phantoms throughout this season.
Kolosov has appeared in 4 games with Philadelphia this season, and has started 2 of them. His last appearance in the NHL was on January 17th, 2026. Hunter McDonald has been recalled for the second time this season, but he never played during his first stint in Philly.
This is Oliver Bonk’s first recall. Both defensemen are expected to make their NHL debuts on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. McDonald, 23, was a 6th-round pick by the Flyers in 2022.
The LHD has turned himself into a solid defensive defenseman for the Phantoms. Bonk was the 22nd overall pick by the Flyers in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old RHD is one of, if not the best, defensive prospects in the organization, and has been called up in his first professional year.
This season, he has 6 goals and 13 assists in 44 games. Bonk is a two-way defenseman who has a strong defensive game, but an offensive game to complement it. I would not expect any time for either player in the postseason, but the Flyers now have plenty of depth for the postseason.