Like most of his fellow prospects at development camp, Alex Bump's main goals are to improve his overall game and stay on the radar of the Philadelphia Flyers as the team looks to build up their young core of players.
Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News
And like many of his development camp teammates, Bump is happy with how things have been as they round out their second of four days on the ice.
"It's been good," he said. "We're just getting into things so far, but overall, I think it's going good. I'm just getting my feet under me too, so it's going well."
As for what he wants to work on with his individual game, he's of the mindset that there's always room for improvement in the pursuit of an NHL roster spot.
"I'd say everything, you know, nothing can be too good," he explained. "My skating can always get better, but anything can always get better...I think I'm confident with the puck and what I can do with the puck. Making plays, too, is one I'm really good at."
Bump hasn't been without a few, ahem, bumps in the road on his journey since getting drafted by the Flyers in 2022. Originally committed to play hockey at the University of Vermont, but decided to change schools after now-former head coach Todd Woodcroft was fired in 2023.
He now plays for Western Michigan University, a team that Flyers President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones is also an alumnus of.
"Jonesy played there, so the Flyers might've liked the idea of it," he joked. "He didn't push me, but him and [Flyers Director of Player Development Riley Armstrong] gave their opinion, and their opinion means a lot to me...The coaching staff there knows what they're doing and knows how to play at the next level. The coach there coached [the Detroit Red Wings] for a few years so he knows what it takes to play in the NHL.
"I'm happy where I ended up. I think Western is a really good spot for me, the way they play and everything. It's all good, it worked out."
While he's planning on returning to the Broncos for the upcoming season, he's very aware of the fact that the Flyers are moving in a younger direction during their rebuild, and he plans on being as prepared as possible to join the NHL ranks when his time comes.
"It is gonna be a young team moving forward," he acknowledged. "I'm just sticking to my game and being confident in myself and I'll make the lineup when I'm ready. Obviously I'm not ready this year, but when I'm ready, I'll for sure come and try to make that team."
