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Bobby Brink

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Bobby Brink
Brink with the Flyers in 2024
Born (2001-07-08) July 8, 2001 (age 23)
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 169 lb (77 kg; 12 st 1 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team Philadelphia Flyers
NHL draft 34th overall, 2019
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 2022–present

Bobby Orr Brink[1] (born July 8, 2001) is an American professional ice hockey right wing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers selected him in the second round, with the 34th overall pick, of the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Born in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Brink spent two years with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), winning Forward of the Year in 2019. He entered college a year early, playing three seasons with the Denver Pioneers. In 2022, Brink won a national championship with the Pioneers and was named the NCHC Player of the Year. He made his professional debut that year with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL). After spending another season with the Phantoms, Brink joined the Flyers' opening night roster in 2023.

Early life

[edit]

Brink was born July 8, 2001, in Minnetonka, Minnesota,[2] to Andy and Holly Brink.[3] His father, a former college ice hockey player for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, was a minor ice hockey coach in Minnesota, and as a child, Brink would accompany his father to the ice rink. There, he had the opportunity to skate with his father's students, including future National Hockey League (NHL) player Mike Reilly.[4] In addition to ice hockey, Brink also played lacrosse and golf during his adolescence.[5] Brink joined the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2017–18 season, recording four points in 13 games.[6] The following season, despite missing time with a fractured foot, Brink recorded 35 goals and 68 points in 43 junior ice hockey games for Sioux City.[6][7] He was awarded the 2019 USHL Forward of the Year for his performance and was named to the league's first all-star team.[8][9]

Playing career

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College

[edit]

After two seasons with the Musketeers, Brink entered college a year early,[7] joining the Denver Pioneers for the 2019–20 season.[10] He recorded his first collegiate goal in his Pioneers debut, a 4–3 win over the Alaska Nanooks on October 5.[11][12] During his freshman season, Brink received National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Rookie of the Month honors twice: in October, for recording six points in as many games;[13] and in January, when he led all conference rookies with nine points in eight games.[14] Brink missed time at the end of the season with two separate injuries: a strained medial collateral ligament and a cut on his ankle from a skate blade.[4] He finished his rookie season with 11 goals and 24 points in 28 games, and he was unanimously selected to the NCHC All-Rookie Team at forward.[15]

With his freshman season unexpectedly interrupted by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ice hockey and other athletics, Brink spent the 2020 offseason practicing his skating at a local rink.[16] He worked closely with professional figure skater Gathleen Gazich to improve his skating mechanics in preparation for the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season.[4] That year, Brink was limited to 15 of a possible 24 games due to injury, COVID, and his participation in international tournament.[17] When he did play, he struggled to score, recording only two goals and 11 points on a Pioneers team that failed to qualify for the 2021 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament.[18][19]

Going into the 2021–22 season, Brink was named an alternate captain of the Pioneers, serving behind captain Cole Guttman.[20] By January 13, Brink had set career highs with 19 assists and 26 points, and he was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award as the top men's college ice hockey player of the year.[21] After a month during which he recorded 15 points in eight games, Brink was named both the NCHC and National Player of the Month for February.[22][23] Brink finished his junior season with 14 goals and 57 points in 41 games, becoming Denver's first NCAA Scoring Champion since Ed Beers in 1982.[24] In addition to being named the NCHC Player of the Year and Forward of the Year, Brink was unanimously selected to the 2022 All-NCHC First Team and was recognized as an AHCA First Team All-American.[25][26] He was a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, finishing behind Dryden McKay.[27] Brink concluded his college ice hockey career as a 2022 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament champion, as Denver defeated the Minnesota State Mavericks by a 5–1 final score. In three seasons with the Pioneers, Brink recorded 27 goals and 92 points in 84 games.[28]

Professional

[edit]
Brink with the Flyers in 2024

The Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected Brink in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft.[29] On April 10, 2022, the day after winning a national championship with Denver,[28] Brink signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers.[30] He joined the team immediately, making his NHL debut on April 12 against the Washington Capitals.[24] Brink recorded his first professional point in his debut, assisting on James van Riemsdyk's third-period goal during the 9–2 loss.[31] Appearing in 10 games to close out the 2021–22 season, Brink assisted on four goals for the Flyers.[32]

While training in preparation for the 2022–23 season, Brink tore his left acetabular labrum, requiring surgery and sidelining him for the start of the year.[33] He returned to play on January 3 and was assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Philadelphia's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, to continue his adjustment to professional hockey.[34] It was difficult for Brink to build stamina and return to his pre-injury form during his time with the Phantoms.[35] Despite this, coach Ian Laperrière praised Brink's "hockey IQ and the skills that he's got", which allowed him to navigate his subdued physical capabilities.[7] Brink spent the entire season in Lehigh Valley, as the Flyers did not want to disrupt his progress,[35] and finished the regular season with 12 goals and 28 points in 41 AHL games.[36] Brink also appeared in three playoff games with the Phantoms, recording one assist in the process.[36]

Considered unlikely to begin the 2023–24 season in the NHL, Brink impressed the Flyers during the preseason and was named to the opening-night roster.[37] He scored his first two NHL goals on October 26, during Philadelphia's 6–2 win over the Minnesota Wild.[38] Despite starting the season with six goals and 17 points through 29 games,[39] Brink's quality of play declined by mid-January.[40] On January 22, following a seven-game pointless streak and three healthy scratches in a row, Brink was demoted to Lehigh Valley to continue his development.[41] After 11 games with the Phantoms, during which he posted six goals and 11 points, Brink returned to the Flyers on February 27.[42] After putting up 11 goals and 23 points in 57 games for the Flyers, Brink was sent to Lehigh again on April 17, this time to push the Phantoms towards the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs.[43] He scored in the Phantoms' regular-season finale, a 3–0 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders to clinch a playoff position,[44] and added four assists in six postseason games.[45]

Prior to the 2024–25 season, the Flyers signed Brink to a two-year, $3 million contract extension.[46] Building on his previous season, Brink told reporters that he wanted to increase his confidence and consistency as a two-way player the coming year.[47]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Canada
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Sweden
World Junior A Challenge
Gold medal – first place 2018 Alberta

Brink made his international debut with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge.[48] Despite fracturing his ankle blocking a shot during the semifinal round,[5] Brink scored in the championship, a 2–0 win over Team Russia, to take his team to a gold medal.[49] Brink's eight points were tied for the tournament lead,[48] and he received both MVP and All-Star Team honors.[50] The following year, Brink joined Team USA again for the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships in Sweden.[51] He recorded three goals and six points in five tournament games, including a goal in Team USA's bronze-medal victory over Team Canada.[46][48]

Brink joined the United States men's national junior ice hockey team for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic.[52] There, he posted one goal and one assist in five games as Team USA failed to medal, losing 1–0 to Team Finland in the quarterfinals.[53][54] Brink returned to the team the following year for the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Canada.[55] There, he recorded two goals and six points in seven games, earning a gold medal for Team USA alongside fellow Flyers prospect Cam York.[56]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2017–18 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 12 2 2 4 4 — — — — —
2018–19 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 43 35 33 68 22 — — — — —
2019–20 University of Denver NCHC 28 11 13 24 12 — — — — —
2020–21 University of Denver NCHC 15 2 9 11 4 — — — — —
2021–22 University of Denver NCHC 41 14 43 57 44 — — — — —
2021–22 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 10 0 4 4 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 41 12 16 28 15 3 0 1 1 2
2023–24 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 57 11 12 23 10 — — — — —
2023–24 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 13 7 6 13 2 6 0 4 4 4
NHL totals 67 11 16 27 10 — — — — —

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 United States WJAC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 2 6 8 2
2019 United States U18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 3 3 6 6
2020 United States WJC 6th 5 1 1 2 0
2021 United States WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 2 4 6 2
Junior totals 12 3 5 8 2

Awards and honors

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Award Year(s) Ref.
USHL
Forward of the Year 2019 [8]
All-USHL First Team 2019 [9]
College
All-NCHC Rookie Team 2020 [15]
All-NCHC First Team 2022 [25]
Division I AHCA All-American First Team (West) 2022 [26]
NCHC Forward of the Year 2022 [25]
NCHC Player of the Year 2022 [25]
IIHF
World Junior A Challenge All-Star Team 2018 [50]
World Junior A Challenge Most Valuable Player 2018 [50]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Keeler, Sean (April 3, 2022). "Meet Bobby Brink, DU's 5-foot-9 soul. The Pios' 166-pound engine. Next stop, the Frozen Four. 'Does the heart have a height?'". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "Bobby Brink Stats and News". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Bobby Brink – Men's Ice Hockey". Denver Pioneers. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Wheeler, Scott (December 29, 2020). "Flyers' Bobby Brink shows passion, skating progress at world juniors". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Wheeler, Scott (June 1, 2019). "Bobby Brink's defiant journey and 'shocking' skill set make him an NHL draft sleeper". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Lantz, Shane (April 10, 2022). "Former Musketeer Bobby Brink headed to the NHL". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Han, Giana (March 27, 2023). "Flyers prospect Bobby Brink's hockey IQ helped him catch up quickly after offseason hip surgery". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Sports Briefs: Sioux City Musketeers Bobby Brink named USHL Forward of the Year". Sioux City Journal. April 25, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  9. ^ a b McLellan, Sarah (June 19, 2019). "Bobby Brink could be first Minnesotan taken in the NHL draft". Star-Tribune. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "Seven Newcomers to Join Pioneers for 2019–20 Season". Denver Pioneers. June 19, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Late Goal Lifts No. 2 Denver Over Alaska, 4–3". Denver Pioneers. October 6, 2019. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "Snap Shots: Week 2". Denver Pioneers. October 8, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "Brink & Chrona Named NCHC Players of the Month". Denver Pioneers. November 6, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "Bobby Brink Named NCHC Rookie of the Month". Denver Pioneers. February 5, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Brink & Chrona Named to NCHC All-Rookie Team". Denver Pioneers. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  16. ^ Robinson, Tom (May 12, 2020). "Rising Career on Hold for Breakout College Star Bobby Brink". USA Hockey. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Chambers, Mike (February 11, 2022). "DU Pioneers' Bobby Brink leads the NCAA in scoring, Hobey Baker Award conversation". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Wheeler, Scott (April 10, 2022). "Flyers prospect Bobby Brink stamps sensational year with inevitable national championship". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  19. ^ Hatten, Mick (January 12, 2022). "Minnetonka ties remain strong for Denver's Bobby Brink, SCSU's Joe Molenaar, Josh Luedtke". The Rink Live. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  20. ^ "Cole Guttman Named Captain For 2021–22 Season". Denver Pioneers. September 7, 2021. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "Three Pioneers Named Nominees for Hobey Baker Award". Denver Pioneers. January 13, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  22. ^ "Bobby Brink Named NCHC Player of the Month for February". Denver Pioneers. March 1, 2022. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  23. ^ "Bobby Brink Named National Player of the Month for February". Denver Pioneers. March 3, 2022. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Reiner, Olivia (April 11, 2022). "'We're really excited about his potential': Flyers winger Bobby Brink set to make NHL debut on Tuesday against the Capitals". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d "NCHC Announces 2021–22 Individual Award Winners". National Collegiate Hockey Conference. March 18, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Knabenbauer, Ron (April 8, 2022). "Bobby Brink Named First Team All-American". Denver Pioneers. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Marinofsky, Evan (April 8, 2022). "Minnesota State's Dryden McKay wins the 2022 Hobey Baker Award". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Han, Giana (April 10, 2022). "Fresh off an NCAA championship, Bobby Brink signs with Flyers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  29. ^ "Bobby Brink Selected 34th Overall in 2019 NHL Draft". Denver Pioneers. June 22, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "Flyers Sign Forward Bobby Brink to Entry-Level Contract". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. April 10, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  31. ^ Hall, Jordan (April 12, 2022). "Brink makes NHL debut as Flyers yield 9 goals in embarrassing loss to Caps". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  32. ^ Hall, Jordan (July 26, 2022). "One of Flyers' top prospects undergoes hip surgery, will miss significant time". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  33. ^ Elvin, Gustav (July 26, 2022). "Flyers forward Bobby Brink out five months following hip surgery". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  34. ^ Han, Giana (January 3, 2023). "Flyers activate forward Bobby Brink (hip surgery), assign him to Lehigh Valley". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Meltzer, Bill (April 15, 2023). "Young Players Fueling Phantoms Playoff Push". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Metlzer, Bill (May 19, 2023). "Flyers Farm System Directory: 2023 Offseason". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  37. ^ Elvin, Gustav (October 11, 2023). "Flyers roster: Breaking down the 23-man squad". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  38. ^ Neiburg, Jeff (October 26, 2023). "Bobby Brink scores first NHL goals as Flyers continue hot start with win over Wild". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  39. ^ "Youth Movement: The Flyers' Under-24 Contingent". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  40. ^ Spiegel, Jackie (January 18, 2024). "Flyers report card: Grading the Orange and Black just beyond the midway point". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  41. ^ Spiegel, Jackie (January 22, 2024). "Flyers send Bobby Brink down, recall Olle Lycksell from Lehigh Valley". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  42. ^ Fish, Wayne (February 27, 2024). "Brink back with Flyers after keeping positive attitude in Lehigh Valley". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  43. ^ Elvin, Gustav (April 17, 2024). "Flyers send four, including Bobby Brink, to AHL's Phantoms for playoff push". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  44. ^ Klump, Jeremy (April 20, 2024). "Lehigh Valley Phantoms clinch 6-seed in the Calder Cup Playoffs". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  45. ^ Meltzer, Bill (July 5, 2024). "Transaction Analysis: Brink Extends for Two Seasons". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  46. ^ a b "Flyers Re-Sign Forward Bobby Brink to a Two-Year Contract". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  47. ^ Spiegel, Jackie (September 22, 2024). "Bobby Brink knows the Flyers are seeking more consistency from him this season". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  48. ^ a b c "Bobby Brink". USA Hockey. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  49. ^ "U.S. wins 2018 World Junior A Challenge championship". USA Hockey. December 16, 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  50. ^ a b c "Team Canada West Wins Bronze at 2018 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  51. ^ "Brink Added To U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team". USA Hockey. April 21, 2019. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  52. ^ "Bobby Brink Makes U.S. Roster for World Junior Championship". Denver Pioneers. December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  53. ^ "Bobby Brink Makes U.S. Preliminary Roster for World Junior Championship". Denver Pioneers. November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  54. ^ "2020 World Juniors Notebook: U.S. Falls to Finland in Quarterfinals". USA Hockey. January 1, 2020. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  55. ^ Carchidi, Sam (December 23, 2020). "Flyers prospects Cam York, Bobby Brink among Team USA leaders in World Junior Championship". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  56. ^ Meltzer, Bill (January 7, 2021). "WJC Wrap Up: York and Brink Win Gold". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by NCHC Forward of the Year
2021–22 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NCHC Player of the Year
2021–22 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NCAA Ice Hockey Scoring Champion
2021–22 		Succeeded by
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