One day after signing prospect Mario Kempe to a Phantoms try out, the Flyers added another international prospect to the minor league club. The Flyers signed 5-foot-11, 167 lbs. Finnish defenseman Joonas Lehtivuori to a minor league try out.
The 20-year old former fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft is a small puck-moving defenseman that has good puck handling skills and can score. He has a small frame that may limit him in the North American game, but there is no doubt he has a high ceiling of talent. He will need to add weight and learn how to out smart forwards rather than out muscle them.
Lehtivuori had four goals and eight assists in 44 games with the Ilves Tampere of the low scoring Finnish League.
The Flyers most likely hope fellow Finn, Kimmo Timonen, can help Joonas learn the ropes a bit quicker. A similar style blue liner, Timonen doesn’t have to cross the language barrier to help Joonas get comfortable.
Phila.Bright 