Meet Brayden Schenn

When the Flyers traded Mike Richards to Los Angeles, not many people in Philadelphia really knew what we were getting in return.  Wayne Simmonds was little more than a role player in LA and Brayden Schenn was an unknown commodity that had yet to score a goal in his limited action as a King (9 games).

Schenn was a standout player in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings as well a brief stint with the Saskatoon Blades in his final season.  He amassed 315 points (116g, 199a) in only 224 games in the WHL and was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2011 World Junior Championship tournament after scoring 8 goals and assisting on 10 in 7 games.

With that said, he did not see much ice time with Los Angeles since being selected with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft.  The Flyers obviously saw a lot of potential in Schenn to take him in return for their former captain, but it was a risk given his inexperience as a professional.

With his gaudy Junior resume it is apparent that the 20-year-old has loads of talent, but the NHL is a proving ground in which talent alone is never enough (Alexandre Daigle anyone?).  After being held scoreless in his first 8 games as a Flyer, Schenn has picked up the pace in his last 18.  Since scoring his first NHL goal in the Winter Classic, he has put up 6 goals and 3 assists including the game winner in tonight’s 4-3 win over his brother Luke’s Maple Leafs.

It appears that the future is bright for young Brayden Schenn.  He seems to be gaining confidence and playing like the player that the Flyers saw when they acquired him with every passing game.  He has shown chemistry with line mates Wayne Simmonds and Danny Briere since being paired with them, and is also displaying the physical presence that accompanied his goal scoring ability in the WHL.  For reference, see this hit on the Bruins’ Steven Kampfer:

If Schenn can put the pieces together as an NHL player, which he has shown flashes of since coming to Philadelphia, he will be a key contributor to a Flyers team that will look to build around him as well as Sean Couturier, Matt Read, and the wealth of young talent currently wearing the orange and black.  If he can begin to realize his potential this season, the Flyers will be primed for another deep playoff run.