The Philadelphia Flyers have secured forward Boris Katchouk from the Minnesota organization, trading defenseman Roman Schmidt in return, General Manager Daniel Briere confirmed today. Following the transaction, Katchouk will be playing with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Katchouk’s Career Journey and Recent Performance
Born on June 18, 1998, Katchouk, 27, has been active this season with brief appearances in the NHL, having played three games with the Tampa Bay Lightning before Minnesota acquired him in December 2025. His main ice time this season has been in the AHL, splitting duties between the Syracuse Crunch and the Iowa Wild. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound forward has amassed 13 points through 29 AHL games, scoring five goals and assisting on eight others.
Draft History and NHL Experience
Katchouk was originally drafted 44th overall in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft by Tampa Bay. Throughout his NHL tenure, he has skated in parts of four seasons across three teams: the Tampa Bay Lightning (2021-22, 2025-26), Chicago Blackhawks (2021-24), and Ottawa Senators (2023-24). In 179 NHL games, he has scored 15 goals and contributed 21 assists, totaling 36 points.
AHL Contributions and Career Highlights
In the American Hockey League, the Waterloo, Ontario native has compiled 157 points in 269 career games, including 65 goals and 92 assists. Katchouk’s most productive campaign came last season when he posted 21 goals and 49 points over 67 games, finishing second in team scoring for the Iowa Wild.
Details on Defenseman Roman Schmidt
Roman Schmidt, 22, who joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season after being acquired from Tampa Bay on December 8, has appeared in 16 games so far. Measuring 6-foot-6, Schmidt’s AHL experience spans parts of three seasons, during which he has accumulated seven points, including three goals and four assists, along with 139 penalty minutes.
What the Trade Means for the Flyers Moving Forward
This trade brings a forward with both NHL and AHL experience into the Flyers system, potentially bolstering their depth as they aim for a strong finish. Boris Katchouk’s scoring history and physical presence could offer the Flyers additional options down the middle and on the wing, while the club continues to develop prospects like Roman Schmidt. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Katchouk adapts to the Flyers’ style and contributes to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the near term.
