Bridgewater native Jake Flynn will consider what will come from NHL Draft – Athletics – The Organization, Brockton, MA

Thayer Academy alum Jake Flynn’s stock rose for the duration of a potent 1st time at UConn. He’s got a likelihood to be picked for the duration of the upcoming NHL Draft.

Jake Flynn hasn’t experienced to do much too significantly waiting around as his hockey profession has progressed, but he’s not a full stranger to the principle of tolerance, both.

Ready an additional couple months to discover out if he’ll be drafted by an NHL crew, then, has not sent the 19-12 months-outdated Bridgewater indigenous around the edge.

“I wouldn’t say it is been additional of a obstacle, since your way of thinking does not truly improve,” Flynn explained. “It’s however, ‘If it comes about, it happens,’ no matter if that is in June or now. It is just a little extra of a hold out.”

The NHL Draft, originally scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal, will as a substitute be held remotely on Tuesday (Round 1) and Wednesday (Rounds 2-7) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flynn, a sophomore defenseman at the College of Connecticut who performed four seasons at Thayer Academy, is ranked No. 122 between North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, placing him into “maybe, perhaps not” territory.

In Flynn’s favor: The last rank represents a major leap from No. 205, the place he stood in the 2019-20 mid-expression scores. Weighing versus him: Only 217 players will be drafted, and Flynn is amid just about 400 (together with 40 goalies) from North The united states and Europe who’ve been scouted and slotted.

“I genuinely do not know how it’s going to go, to be genuine,” Flynn reported. “I’ve talked to some people, and they’ve advised me it’s type of 50-50 – it could go possibly way. So I’m a very little uncertain, but I really don’t feel that is a bad matter.”

In point, the draft yr knowledge has been type of a exciting thing – albeit unprecedented, supplied the manner in which the pandemic shortened seasons around the world, wiped out the NHL’s once-a-year Scouting Mix, and compelled groups to job interview gamers of interest remotely.

“A couple of teams ended up in speak to,” Flynn said, “and it was nice to get interviews like that. You’re asked some fantastic queries so they can get to know you a little, and you get to know them and the organizations a little, as properly.”

All those who have tracked Flynn’s profession have found a player able of stepping into a lineup at a younger age in opposition to state-of-the-art competitiveness, and then steadily elevating his profile. He did so at Thayer, relocating immediately from the South Shore Kings youth program onto the Tigers’ varsity squad as a freshman in 2015-16, and did once more final yr at UConn, where he played regularly as a legitimate freshman.

Flynn has not essentially starred from the start out, but has normally made positive to consider advantage of each and every out there option.

“I was pretty youthful when I got in at Thayer,” said Flynn, who performed 30 online games with out scoring a point for a 2015-16 Tigers crew that won Independent Educational facilities League and New England Massive Colleges championships. “We experienced a good group of senior defensemen, so Mentor (Tony) Amonte variety of allow me know it wasn’t a 12 months for me to enjoy a good deal.

“But I nonetheless made a great deal that calendar year, just by working towards. It was a excellent mastering 12 months for me, even although I was not enjoying much. I feel it helped a ton in my sophomore and junior a long time I gained additional ice and grew as a player.”

Steadily gaining self esteem in his capacity to flip defense into offense, Flynn scored 23 factors (7 targets, 16 helps) in excess of 28 online games as a Thayer senior and ISL All-League choice in 2018-19, and he contributed two ambitions and seven assists in 30 games as a accurate freshman this previous time at UConn.

“I’d describe myself as a puck-transferring defenseman who can skate and get up in the rush,” explained Flynn, a proper-hand shot who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 185 lbs .. “Get the occupation finished in the defensive zone, make certain you get the puck out to your forwards, then go up the ice with them from there. I can play on the offensive aspect, as properly.”

Flynn’s contributions served the Huskies to the most effective of their six seasons due to the fact joining Hockey East (15-15-4 in general 12-10-2 HE), and his principal aim this year is on aiding UConn keep on to develop the profile of a application on the rise: He’s one particular of three draft-eligible Huskies ranked by Central Scouting, signing up for fellow sophomore defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (No. 36 in North The usa) and incoming freshman ahead Nick Capone (No. 126).

At current, nevertheless, Flynn’s mind wanders to the draft – even while there is a possibility he may well be between the very last to know if he’s picked. With the draft pushed into the academic 12 months, Flynn could be having a class remotely from his off-campus apartment, or associated in an on- or off-ice exercise session “pod” (the Huskies are awaiting the go-ahead to hold entire-team tactics), when the 2nd day of the draft kicks off at 11:30 on Wednesday.

“I wouldn’t be amazed if we’re instruction, or on the ice, or I’m in a course,” he explained. “I could have no clue if I have been picked.

“I’m certainly spending much more interest as it receives closer, but I’m seeking not to let it consider about all the things I’m doing. It’s wonderful to even have a chance to get drafted, so it is absolutely in the again of my intellect.”