The Philadelphia Flyers and their fans have more than one thing to celebrate on Saturday night.
Only minutes after a 1-0 shutout victory over the Devils, No. 3 University of Denver emerged victorious in the NCAA Championship Game, besting No. 1 Boston College, 2-0.
This, of course, meant that top Flyers prospect Massimo Rizzo and his Denver squad knocked off disgraced former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier and the highly-favored BC Eagles. As a result, Denver also claims their NCAA-leading 10th championship.
Rizzo, 22, was one of Denver’s starters ahead of puck drop, featuring on a line alongside Pittsburgh prospect Tristan Broz and Florida prospect Jack Devine. Rizzo only recently returned from a two-month absence due to injury and didn’t record a point in either of his last two contests, but Denver was able to get the job done thanks in large part to Rieger Lorenz and goalie Matt Davis.
Ultimately, Rizzo finishes his 2023-24 campaign with 10 goals, 34 assists, and 44 points in 30 games played, and also chipped in two assists in four games while representing Canada at the Spengler Cup.
If this is it for the 22-year-old at the collegiate level, Rizzo finishes his NCAA career with an impressive 39 goals, 87 assists, and 126 points in only 107 games. Rizzo’s career 1.17 points per game in the NCAA is comparable to some former NHL standouts, such as Mike Cammalleri (1.19), Chris Kunitz (1.15), R.J. Umberger (1.15), and John Madden (1.13).
It’s unclear whether Rizzo plans to sign with the Flyers right away, but if he does, he’d instantly burn one year off of his entry-level contract. If he and the Flyers agree to start the deal as of next season, the Flyers will get two full years of Rizzo in their system before he reaches free agency.
It’s likely the University of Denver star takes some time to weigh his options before settling on a decision one way or the other.
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