The Philadelphia Flyers are giving one of their center prospects an audition down the minor leagues instead of an NHL contract right now.

Owen McLaughlin, a seventh-round draft pick (206th overall) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2021 NHL Draft, will join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. McLaughlin signed an American Hockey League deal following completing his first season with Boston University in Hockey East. The Flyers didn’t make the news official, but reports indicated McLaughlin was heading to the Phantoms for the stretch run.

Boston University center Owen McLaughlin is joining AHL-Lehigh Valley for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on an AHL contract.

The #Flyers 2021-7th round pick has signed an AHL contract with the Phantoms following 5G-12A in 34GP this season.@InsideAHLHockey

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) March 18, 2026

However, McLaughlin’s route to Lehigh Valley will first go to the ECHL according to a tweet from Bob Rotruck, the Phantoms’ Communication Director. The forward will play this weekend for the Reading Royals who are playing twice against Adirondack on Friday and Saturday before going up against Maine on Sunday.

The forward scored five goals and had 12 helpers for 17 points in 34 games. Prior to his time with the Terriers, McLaughlin (who will turn 23 a week from now), spent three seasons with the University of North Dakota. Averaging 38 games per season, McLaughlin’s best season was 2023-24 where he scored 13 goals and had 26 assists in 39 games. The Flyers saw the forward shine back in 2021-22 when he had 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points in 62 games with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League, the top tier junior league in the country.

McLaughlin getting audition in the AHL, not an NHL contract

The move is notable as it’s not an NHL contract but only for the AHL. It seems to be an audition of sorts for the Flyers to see if McLaughlin is worthy of possibly receiving an NHL contract provided on how well he performs both in the ECHL but, perhaps more importantly, how he fares with the Phantoms should he be given a shot there. If the Flyers don’t sign McLaughlin before Aug. 15, Philadelphia will lose his signing rights.

Per a team source, McLaughlin (2021 7th round pick) will some games in LHV & maybe in the ECHL the rest of this year.

He hasn’t been promised an ELC, & w/all the prospects they have coming, they’re going to be careful w/the 50-contract limit.

But he has a chance now to impress.

— Charlie O’Connor (@charlieo_conn) March 18, 2026

As it stands now, the Royals have 15 games remaining in their season which concludes on April 18 against Florida. Meanwhile, the Phantoms have 13 games remaining and are also playing this weekend against Charlotte.

As well, as mentioned by O’Connor, the Flyers also have to be mindful of their 50-contract limit, especially with a bevy of prospects looming, possibly none more than Porter Martone. Martone, who plays for the Michigan State Spartans, saw his Big Ten Tournament conclude with an overtime loss last Saturday, will still be playing in the forthcoming NCAA Tournament.

In short, McLaughlin is going to get a shot to showcase himself to coaches in Reading for starters and if he has any luck, Phantoms coach John Snowden for a stretch of games as Lehigh Valley are still clinging to a playoff spot. Should he accomplish those two feats, then it will be up to the Flyers brass, especially general manager Danny Briere, to see if he’s worthy of one of those 50 contracts with the organization.