The Philadelphia Flyers traded their third-round pick (No. 77 overall) and the Minnesota Wild’s third-round pick in the 2025 draft to select defenseman Spencer Gill of the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic at No. 59 overall.
Gill logged 12 goals and 46 points in 65 games for the Oceanic last season, tying Charle Truchon for the team lead in points scored by a defenseman. Gill, who doesn’t turn 18 until August, offers impressive size, standing at 6-foot-4. He’s on the thinner side, weighing just 185 pounds, but will likely fill out considerably as he matures.
Here’s Elite Prospects’ scouting report on Gill:
“Gill is a physical and imposing defenceman who flashes impressive playmaking and scoring abilities. He can hit the smallest of passing lanes, beat opponents with fakes and float shots to the top of the net from the point. Operating with confidence and timing, he’s constantly attacking space and participating in all his team’s plays in the offensive zone.”
The Flyers’ decision to trade up and select a larger defenseman shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The team is making a concerted effort to add size to their pipeline of defenseman prospects. In the first round, the Flyers passed on defenseman Zeev Buium — considered one of the best blueliners in the draft — in order to select center Jett Luchanko. After making the pick, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere explained size was a major factor in the decision to pass on Buium.
“I think Zeev Buium is gonna be a great player, and he’s someone we considered strongly. But with Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae — at some point, it gets tough to go with the smaller guy,” said Briere.
Barring trades, the Flyers have five selections remaining in the 2024 draft — two in the fifth round, two in the sixth round and one in the seventh round.
