On Saturday night, the Philadelphia Flyers and their fans can celebrate a variety of events.
Only minutes after defeating the Devils 1-0, the No. 3 University of Denver won the NCAA Championship Game, defeating No. 1 Boston College 2-0.
This, of course, meant that top Flyers prospect Massimo Rizzo and his Denver squad defeated disgraced former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier and the heavily favored BC Eagles. As a result, Denver wins their NCAA-leading tenth championship.
Rizzo, 22, was one of Denver’s starting prior to puck drop, playing on a line with Pittsburgh prospect Tristan Broz and Florida prospect Jack Devine. Rizzo had only recently returned from a two-month injury break and had no points in his prior two games, but Denver was able to win thanks in large part to Rieger Lorenz and goalie Matt Davis.
Rizzo finished his 2023-24 season with 10 goals, 34 assists, and 44 points in 30 games, and he also contributed two assists in four games while representing Canada at the Spengler Cup.
If this is Rizzo’s final collegiate game, he will have scored 39 goals, 87 assists, and 126 points in 107 games. Rizzo’s NCAA career average of 1.17 points per game is comparable to other past NHL stars, like Mike Cammalleri (1.19), Chris Kunitz (1.15), R.J. Umberger (1.15), and John Madden (1.13).
It’s unclear whether Rizzo intends to sign with the Flyers straight away, but if he does, he’ll immediately burn one year off his entry-level deal. If he and the Flyers agree to start the deal next season, the Flyers will have Rizzo in their system for two full seasons before he becomes a free agent.
The University of Denver star is likely to consider his alternatives before making a choice.
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