Flyers sign Riley Thompson to one-year, entry-level contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed former Ohio State University forward to a one-year, entry-level contract that’s set to begin in 2026-27.

The 23-year-old recently finished his third year of college hockey, scoring 13 goals and 27 points in 37 games. Thompson was a Big 10 honorable mention all-star team member in 2024-25 after setting a personal best with 17 goals and 33 points.

Undrafted to the NHL, Thompson spent his junior career in the Ottawa area, playing in the CCHL, CCHL2 and EOJHL. Notably, Thompson had 33 goals and 67 points in 49 games with the Smiths Falls Bears in his final year before trekking off to the University of Alaska-Anchorage for 2023-24. He had nine goals and 24 points in his lone season at the school before entering the transfer portal and joining OSU for two seasons.

At 6-foot-4, it’s hard to miss Thompson. The strong, two-way center is a solid playmaker who can find players at speed. He does an excellent job of winning board battles thanks to his big frame, and he’s tough to contain when he’s rushing down the ice with the puck. There’s nothing flashy or special about his game. Instead, Thompson is more about keeping things simple and getting the puck where it needs to be at the right time.

Thompson will get his first taste of pro hockey after signing a tryout deal with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The club is currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference, but only sits three points behind the Hershey Bears for the final playoff spot.