Kolosov makes progress in AHL, Tuomaala finding his footing

Philadelphia Flyers prospects Aleksei Kolosov and Samu Tuomaala have been making significant strides in their development within the organization.

Aleksei Kolosov

Selected in the third round (78th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Kolosov has shown promise as a goaltender. After signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers in July 2023, he was loaned back to Dinamo Minsk in the KHL for the 2023-24 season. During that time, he became the first Belarusian-born goalie to play and win an NHL game, debuting on October 27, 2024, against the Montreal Canadiens and securing his first win on November 23, 2024, against the Chicago Blackhawks.

In April 2024, Kolosov was assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers' AHL affiliate, to further his development. Despite some initial challenges, including discussions about his playing location, Kolosov committed to the Flyers' organization and participated in the 2024 training camp.

Samu Tuomaala

Drafted in the second round (46th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Tuomaala faced early challenges in his career, including limited playing time and confidence issues during his stints in Finland. However, his performance improved significantly during the 2022-23 season with Ketterä in Finland's Mestis league, where he recorded 46 points in 29 regular-season games.

Transitioning to North America for the 2023-24 season, Tuomaala became a key player for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He was selected for the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic, leading all Phantoms rookies with 27 points in 33 games at the time of his selection.

Both Kolosov and Tuomaala have demonstrated resilience and growth, positioning themselves as promising talents within the Flyers' system.