ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Flyers went with another defenseman to open Day 2 of the 2026 NHL draft.
In the second round at 53rd overall, the club selected Brek Liske, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. The 18-year-old had 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) and a plus-36 rating in 52 games this season.
By trading back in the first round Friday night to grab massive defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii, the Flyers acquired a second Round 2 pick. They selected again at No. 62, taking goaltender Martin Psohlavec.
Liske was the 45th-ranked player on EliteProspects.com. He was slotted at No. 54 by TSN’s Craig Button and No. 67 by Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis.
His father Lonnie Liske is a die-hard Flyers fan, despite being from Beausejour in Manitoba.
“My dad was always a big Flyers fan his whole life and kind of brainwashed me into it,” Liske said on a Zoom interview from his home, while wearing a Flyers jersey. “From a young age, just going to Flyers games, wearing Flyers stuff. I’ve just always been a Flyers fan.”
Liske said his dad has an orange jeep with a Flyers logo as a tire cover.
“I’ve never heard him yell so loud,” Liske said of his father’s reaction to the pick. “There was a big cheer, but I could distinctly hear my dad’s voice. He’s wearing his Flyers jersey very proud right now.”
Liske, a righty shot, had a strong playoff run this season for the Silvertips. He recorded 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) and a plus-25 rating in 18 games.
“I describe my game as a two-way defenseman, I think I defend well,” Liske said. “I can move the puck and make the right plays.”
(More coming …)