Philly Leader

Flyers right winger Bobby Brink showcased his skills with a two-goal performance in Thursday's 4-3 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game also saw him recording an assist, marking a significant contribution to his team's success.

For the ongoing 2024-25 season, Brink has accumulated 32 points, comprising 10 goals and 22 assists over 64 games. While these statistics may not stand out, they don't fully capture the growth in Brink's overall gameplay and his effectiveness when not in possession of the puck. This development has secured him a regular spot under head coach John Tortorella.

Previously, Brink demonstrated offensive potential that made him a notable pick in the 2019 draft and a key player for Team USA at the World Junior Championship. However, last season was marked by inconsistent production and critiques from Tortorella regarding his defensive play.

Tortorella acknowledged being particularly critical of Brink's performance. A specific incident occurred on March 1, 2024, during a game against Washington where defensive lapses led to Brink being benched despite scoring earlier.

Throughout this season, however, Brink has made significant progress and earned praise from Tortorella: "I've been all over him for the first couple years," he stated after Thursday's game. "I'm happy for him. I think he’s found an area that I don’t think he (believed) he could play."

Brink has faced challenges such as being scratched from games or demoted to the AHL but has shown resilience. Tortorella noted: "I like the way he's handled it. He's just taken it on [and] accepted the challenge."

Brink himself remains focused on personal improvement: "I feel like I’ve always had good hockey strength as a player... Definitely a little bit stronger, but just the hockey strength, I feel good," he said.

During Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Brink redeemed himself after taking penalties by scoring upon exiting the penalty box thanks to an assist from team captain Sean Couturier. This goal helped turn the momentum in favor of Philadelphia.

Recently paired with different linemates due to team struggles, Brink played alongside Ryan Poehling and Olle Lycksell on Thursday night—a change that contributed to one of his best performances yet.