Jett Luchanko

Jett Luchanko (born August 21, 2006) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers selected Luchanko in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Early life

Luchanko was born August 21, 2006, in London, Ontario. A childhood fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League, his favorite ice hockey player was Mitch Marner. Luchanko also idolized Nick Suzuki, who he watched play minor ice hockey. While quarantined at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Luchanko's father converted their basement into a personal gym, which improved Jett's strength and fitness while he could not play hockey. Luchanko spent the 2021–22 season with the London Jr. Knights of Alliance Hockey, during which he had 22 goals and 57 points in 27 regular season games, with another four goals and 16 points in eight postseason appearances. He also had a brief stint with the Strathroy Rockets of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, with one goal and one assist in four games.

Playing career

The Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected Luchanko 12th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, and he signed with the team that May. Luchanko scored his first junior ice hockey goal on October 1, during Guelph's 10–6 loss to the Saginaw Spirit. During the 2022–23 season he recorded five goals and nine assists in 46 games. During the 2023–24 season he led the Storm in scoring with 20 goals and 54 assists in 68 games. At the end of the season, Luchanko received the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL's most sportsmanlike player.

The Philadelphia Flyers selected Luchanko 13th overall in the 2024 NHL entry draft. The pick was announced by legendary ring announcer and Philadelphia native, Michael Buffer. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization on July 6. After impressing head coach John Tortorella and general manager Daniel Brière in training camp, Luchanko was named to the Flyers' opening night roster for the 2024–25 NHL season. At 18 years and 51 days old when he debuted against the Vancouver Canucks on October 11, Luchanko became the youngest player to appear in a game in Flyers history. On October 26, the Flyers returned Luchanko to Guelph for the remainder of the 2024–25 OHL season. He appeared in four games for the Flyers before this return. On January 17, 2025, the Storm named Luchanko captain.

International play

Luchanko made his first international competition appearance at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, playing for Team Canada Red. He had one goal and one assist in seven tournament games, capturing a silver medal with Canada Red, who lost the championship game 11–3 to the United States. Luchanko then appeared with the Canada men's national under-18 ice hockey team at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships in Finland. He had two goals and seven points in seven games for the gold-medal team, including an assist in the championship game against Team USA.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Luchanko, Jett
2006 births
Living people
Canadian ice hockey centres
Guelph Storm players
Ice hockey people from London, Ontario
Lehigh Valley Phantoms players
NHL first-round draft picks
Philadelphia Flyers draft picks
Philadelphia Flyers players
21st-century Canadian sportsmen