In last Thursday's blog, I looked at which Flyers prospects currently seem likely to take part in the 2017-18 World Junior Championships in Buffalo. I forgot one player. With the promotion of Belarus from Division I to the top international level of under-20 hockey, Flyers 2017 fourth-round (107th overall) pick Maksim Sushko is also a likely candidate to play in the big tournament come late December.
The 18-year-old right winger is very much a "tools" type of player. He is a good skater with above-average hands and a big enough frame that size is not a concern. The hope is that he eventually puts everything together in his game with greater consistency as a player capable of performing in all game situations.
Sushko got into a month-long groove in the early portion of the 2016-17 season, producing eight goals and 12 points from October 6 to Nov 12 with at least one point in nine of the 12 games. That stretch comprised a big portion of his overall rookie production (18 goals, 32 points) for the OHL's Owen Sound Attack during the regular season.
Roughly two months before his 18th birthday, Sushko played for Belarus at the 2016-17 Division I World Junior Championships, scoring one goal in five games. His role should expand next season, albeit on an underdog team that will be playing against a tougher grade of competition than it faced at the Division I level.
Sushko also had a few highlights during the OHL playoffs. He chipped in 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 17 games, including points in three straight games in the Western Conference finals against the Erie Otters. Sushko had five points (two goals, three assists) in the series but Owen Sound fell in six games.
As a first-year player, Sushko had to adapt to the smaller rink, a longer schedule and the English language. Overall, he did well.
Part of the reason for Sushko's sporadic production last season was that Owen Sound boasted a very deep lineup, including the likes of Nick Suzuki (selected 13th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 Draft), Vancouver Canucks prospects Petrus Palmu and Jonah Gadjovich and 30-goal scorer Kevin Hitchcock. Come next season, Sushko could see a spike in his points output.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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