Phantoms Coach Sees A Changed Alex Bump In Rookie Series Opener
John Snowden says the winger came back stronger and more confident, while Jett Luchanko could spend all of 2026-27 in Lehigh Valley.
Alex Bump opened the Flyers' Rookie Series against the New York Rangers with a goal and an assist, and the man who has coached him in the American Hockey League noticed something beyond the box score.
"He looked like he was very confident," Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach John Snowden said after the game.
Snowden's read on why: a taste of the NHL forces the issue. "I think he's stronger, he's bigger, he's faster," Snowden said. "I think when you get to play at the National Hockey League level, and you're playing against the best players in the world, you learn quickly that a lot of the things that maybe you were able to get away with in college or maybe you get away with in the American League, you're definitely not going to get away with in that league."
Bump struggled at the 2025 edition of the same event. He was called up midseason last year, along with Denver Barkey, as Philadelphia returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
The bigger Lehigh Valley storyline is Jett Luchanko, who the Flyers may keep in the AHL for all of 2026-27 rather than rush. Snowden likes what he sees in the skating.
"Jett as a centerman, he's skating so good. He takes up space quickly," Snowden said. "He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he closes plays fast because he can get there."
Philadelphia has stacked wing talent, with Matvei Michkov, Trevor Zegras and Porter Martone already in the NHL picture. The center question is the one that runs through Lehigh Valley this season.
