Hours after winning NCAA title, Brink becomes a Flyer

In his search to draw something positive out of this disaster of a Flyers season, it took general manager Chuck Fletcher essentially no time at all Saturday to bring in a skilled champion.

That would be Bobby Brink, the 20-year-old product of Fletcher’s first draft as a Flyers GM in 2019, and the skillful leader of the University of Denver team that just won an NCAA championship. Like, on Friday night.

Thus, Brink didn’t even have a full day of celebrating with his college hockey buddies before the team that believes in both his skills and marketing power signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract carrying a cap hit of $925,000. The contract takes effect immediately, and Brink should see action with the team as soon as he’s ready.

Provided he doesn’t have to cut class or anything…

“This is such a storied organization, so much history, I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Flyers,” Brink said.

A native of Minnetonka, Minn., Brink describes himself as a player who likes “to set up my teammates and be a two-way player.”

But his individual skills were evident at a young age, although his diminutive size might have been a concern when he was taken by the Flyers in the second round nearly three years ago.

Even now, Brink is only listed as 5-foot-9 and 166, but he developed into the nation’s leading college scorer with 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists), a Hobey Baker Award finalist and finally a national champion. He had already taken part in two World Junior Championships, helping Team USA win a gold medal last year.

“It was awesome, it was pretty surreal,” Brink said of winning the Frozen Four title, a 5-1 victory over Minnesota State at TD Garden in Boston Friday night. “It was such a close team at Denver. The program was awesome. I loved every second of my three years there so it was super special to cap it off with a win.”

He just hadn’t had time to absorb all that before Fletcher started to buzz him.

“We’re very excited to have Bobby under contract after an outstanding career in college hockey that concluded with a National Championship,” Fletcher said in statement speak. “Bobby possesses a high compete level combined with terrific hockey sense and offensive skill that has led him to succeed at every level he has played in his young career.”