Future NHL stars are developing in the Canadian Hockey League this season. Each week, NHL.com will highlight a few of the top NHL-affiliated prospects in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.
Jon-Randall Avon had one advantage growing up that a lot of hockey players his age don’t — a Stanley Cup champion living in his house.
Avon, a Philadelphia Flyers center prospect, is the stepson of former NHL forward Steve Larmer, who won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994 and had 1,012 points (441 goals, 571 assists) in 1,006 NHL games during 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and Rangers.
“He’s been an awesome mentor and just a father figure as well,” Avon said. “Whenever I need something, some advice on anything, he’s always there, always giving me feedback after games, which is nice to have that NHL presence around. He’s always been a big mentor of mine.”
Larmer’s advice has paid off for Avon, who was passed over in the 2021 NHL Draft but turned a rookie camp invitation that fell into a three-year, entry-level contract he signed Sept. 22, 2021.
The 19-year-old had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 56 games as a rookie with Peterborough of the OHL in 2019-20 and was No. 200 in NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters for the 2021 draft. But he didn’t play in 2020-21 when the OHL canceled its season due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
So when the opportunity came with the Flyers, he arrived at his first development camp with the goal of letting 31 other teams know they made a mistake.
“I had a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “My mentality was different. I just wanted to go there and just prove everyone wrong for sure.”
Avon has continued his development the past two seasons with Peterborough. He had 68 points (29 goals, 39 assists) in 64 games last season, and this season has 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 39 games.
“The last calendar year he’s made good progress,” said Kjell Samuelsson, who works in player development for the Flyers. “A year ago, he still played a junior game, tried to beat a lot of players 1-on-1 with his speed. And now he has developed using his teammates, a little bit more deception in his game and kind of matured as a player.”
Avon is also an alternate captain this season, and he said he relishes that leadership role.
“Just brings a maturity level to me,” he said. “I get to be an older guy on this team, which is always nice and have the young guys follow me and learn from me, which is a big thing, especially going into pro (hockey) hopefully. It’s nice to have the young guys look up to you, ask you questions about little things on and off the ice. So, yeah, the ‘A’ means a lot.”
The Flyers certainly have been happy with Avon’s growth and hope the next step before he turns pro next season is a strong showing in the OHL playoffs.
“They have a good team and he’s a big part of that,” Samuelsson said. “If they have a deep run, that will be perfect for him because then the games are very important … and take even more responsibilities on the team.”
OTHERS TO WATCH
Ty NelsonD, North Bay (Seattle Kraken): Nelson has eight points (five goals, three assists) during a four-game point streak, including back-to-back two-goal games against Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 12 and Flint on Sunday. He’s second among OHL defensemen with 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists) in 42 games, and has surpassed his total of 51 points (nine goals, 42 assists) he had in 66 games last season. The Kraken selected the 18-year-old in the third round (No. 68) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Frederic BrunetD, Victoriaville (Boston Bruins): Brunet has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in six games since being acquired in a trade with Rimouski on Jan. 4, including nine points (one goal, eight assists) in his past four games. Selected by the Bruins in the fifth round (No. 132) of the 2022 draft, the 19-year-old has 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in his past 11 games and his 45 points (seven goals, 38 assists). in 42 games this season are one shy of the 46 (12 goals, 34 assists) he had in 63 games last season.
Alexander SuzdalevLW, Regina (Washington Capitals): Suzdalev has seven points (two goals, five assists) during a four-game point streak, including three straight multipoint games. In his first season in North America, the 18-year-old leads WHL rookies in goals (23), assists (31) and points (54) in 41 games. The Capitals selected Suzdalev in the third round (No. 70) of the 2022 draft.
Photos: David Pickering
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