Jett Luchanko probably is the perfect example of a 19-year-old hockey player who belongs in the AHL.
But changes to the NHL's development pathway are well above Luchanko's pay grade, so the dynamic Philadelphia Flyers first-round pick (13th overall in 2024) is just trying to make the most of his time with the OHL's Guelph Storm.
"It's been fun, obviously a good group here," the play-making centre said last week after a dominant performance (one goal, three assists) in an 8-5 win over the Western Conference-leading Windsor Spitfires at Guelph's Sleeman Centre. "I've been here a good amount of years, so it's always fun to be in this building and play with these guys.
"For me, I'm just trying to take it day to day ... I think it's going to be good for me to develop my game."
The fleet-footed Luchanko played four NHL games for the Flyers for the second year in a row to start this season before he was returned to Guelph. Last season, after the Storm missed the playoffs, Philly was allowed to send him to AHL Lehigh Valley, and Luchanko put up very respectable numbers (three assists in nine regular-season games and six assists in seven playoff contests).
The five-foot-11 Luchanko doesn't have a point in eight NHL contests, though he has averaged only 11:31 of ice time. It's also hardly rare for a mid-first-round pick to take some time getting used to the best league in the world.
The London, Ont., native signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers last summer, so he was ineligible for the NCAA this season when U.S. college hockey opened its doors to CHL players — 2025 Flyers first-rounder (sixth overall) Porter Martone, 19, is thriving at top-ranked Michigan State this season after playing in the OHL the past three years. Meanwhile, the NHL is trying to hammer out a deal with the CHL to allow some 19-year-olds to play in the AHL, but that potential agreement won't be finalized in time to affect Luchanko.
Because of all that, Luchanko is back with the Storm for a fourth season.
"First, as a player coming back, it is tough mentally," said Storm head coach Cory Stillman, who played a full season in the OHL with his hometown Peterborough Petes after he was selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in 1992. He went on to have a 1,025-game career as an NHL player.
"But the second part is also the speed of the game," Stillman continued. "When you jump a hole up top in the National Hockey League, the puck is on your stick. Here you have to slow down and the way he skates, he has to maybe hesitate a bit longer, get back into how we're playing. If he can continue to play like (he did against Windsor), he's going to win us some hockey games."
Luchanko certainly did that against Windsor, easily the best player on an ice-surface filled with legitimate NHL prospects, including 2025 Flyers first-round pick (12th overall) Jack Nesbitt of the Spitfires.
"When Jett's skating and the puck's following him, he stands out. He can beat guys one-on-one," Stillman said.
Luchanko beat a Spitfires defender to a loose puck on a penalty kill in the third period and raced free into the Windsor end to put Guelph up 5-4. He controlled the puck beautifully from the point on the power play, earning two assists and playing the biggest role for a unit that went three-for-five.
In a bid to help Luchanko make the full-time leap to the NHL next season, Stillman plans to focus on a few things.
"I would like to see him control the puck even more, especially coming through the neutral zone," Stillman said. "Use his feet, and the other side is to shoot. In practice, he can score goals from wherever. I'd like to see him do some of that in games."
Indeed, 107 of Luchanko's 155 career points (in 168 games) are assists. This season, he has two goals and nine assists in eight games.
"I think everything always needs to be worked on as a player in general," Luchanko said. "I think offensively just trying to find myself in good places to score goals."
The Canadian junior team would love him to do that at the world junior championship, starting Dec. 26 in Minnesota. Luchanko is one of nine potential returnees for this year's team. He was locked in more of a depth role for last year's squad that was eliminated in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row.
"If he can continue to grow from when he came back (to Guelph) to the (12th) of December when they get (to camp in Niagara Falls, Ont.), I can see him having a bigger role," Stillman said.
Added Luchanko: "I think just kind of go there and show what I can and see what happens. That's what I'm looking forward to."
After the world juniors, the future may well be up in the air. While the Storm have wins over top Western Conference teams like the London Knights, Kitchener Rangers and Spitfires this month, Guelph (11-8-2-0) is seventh in the conference standings.
It may make sense for Luchanko to be shipped to a stronger contender to give him a shot to win his first OHL playoff series and go on a potential championship run before the trade deadline on Jan. 10. However, Guelph has won eight of its past 10, so the Storm are not a sure seller.
The Spitfires — who already are loaded with Nesbitt, Los Angeles Kings first-rounder Liam Greentree and 2025 NHL Draft lottery prospect Ethan Belchetz among others up front — had to be impressed with what they saw last week in Guelph. The OHL-leading Brantford Bulldogs also have to be considering their options. We'll see if there's a deal to be made in the weeks ahead.
Until any decision is made, though, Stillman will encourage his charges to keep a close eye on Luchanko.
"He's been good, he leads by example," Stillman said. "He comes and works hard in practice, he works hard in the gym. If you're a younger guy, you're (2025 OHL Draft second-overall pick) Jaakko Wycisk, follow him and see what he does and hopefully it improves your game."
Games to watch
Friday, Nov. 21: Boston Terriers (5-6-1) at Northeastern Huskies (7-3-0), 7 p.m. ET
Terriers coach Jay Pandolfo was livid with his struggling team's effort after a 6-2 loss to Quinnipiac last weekend, calling it "pathetic, embarrassing." They face another tough test against Northeastern goalie Lawton Zacher, who has been excellent this season (1.80 goals-against average, .943 save percentage) after transferring from Brown.
Friday, Nov. 21: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (12-6-2-1) at Drummondville Voyageurs (13-6-1-1), 7 p.m. ET
Both these teams are trying to chase down the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada for top spot in the Western Conference. Swiss-born Huskies forward Lars Steiner (three goals, six assists in 12 games) is a first-round prospect for next year's NHL Draft.
Saturday, Nov. 22: Ottawa 67's (16-5-1-1) at Owen Sound Attack (13-8-0-2), 7 p.m. ET
Two teams that entered the season a little under the radar, the 67's and Attack have both shown they can compete with anyone this season. The Attack have three players in the top 10 in OHL scoring — the undrafted Tristan Delisle, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Pierce Mbuyi and Toronto Maple Leafs fifth-round pick Harry Nansi. Meanwhile, rookie goalie Ryder Fetterolf is first in GAA (1.90) and second in save percentage (.926) for veteran coach Dave Cameron's 67's.
Saturday, Nov. 22: Edmonton Oil Kings (18-5-1-1) at Prince George Cougars (14-7-0-0), 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
The red-hot Oil Kings won nine in a row before losing to the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday. Toronto Maple Leafs fifth-round pick and Czechia native Miroslav Holinka of the Oil Kings is one of Edmonton's top scorers. Washington Capitals first-round pick Terik Parascak is in the top five in WHL scoring for Prince George as he bids to earn a spot for Canada at this year's world juniors.
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