The Phantoms are rolling out a new roster this season with some added veteran support, but there are still plenty of rookies in the mix, and one of the most intriguing cases has to be Noah Powell. This guy just made the jump to the pros after what you could only call a winding, kinda unconventional, development journey. He’s looking to finally figure out what kind of player he even *is* at this new level.
Powell’s Wild Ride to the Pros
Powell’s 2025-26 season started back in college with ASU, and honestly, it was a bit of a struggle. After that half-season detour through the OHL the year before, you hoped he’d really get his game going again, but it proved tough to get things off the ground. He did manage a decent 12 points in 34 games, but his usage was super inconsistent. It felt like he just couldn’t build any real momentum. So, yeah, it was a bit of a surprise when the Flyers signed him at the end of that college season, especially considering his relative lack of experience. But it was clear they wanted him to get an early start with the Phantoms, probably hoping that some stability would let him finally focus on defining his game.
A Mixed Bag With the Phantoms So Far
That opening stint with the Phantoms? A real mixed bag. He played in 16 games, which is some nice usage for a young guy, even if his minutes were limited at times. The positives were huge. We saw some truly encouraging flashes of what he *could* become. He had a good number of games where he was highly engaged, playing with a physical edge, and really confident with the puck. He was getting to the net and creating a good volume of chances, and he got rewarded for that work with a tidy two goals and two assists! That was awesome to see right from the jump.
But then, on the flip side, there were maybe just as many games where Powell was noticeably less visible. It wasn’t like he was struggling with the pace of play or making a ton of poor decisions; he just sort of faded into the background and didn’t look as assertive. You expect that up and down effect from a young player just getting settled into the next level of competition, but it’s definitely a place he’s gotta build up from. Powell is coming into his professional career in a strange spot. His development has been so all over the place that his game and the role he’s best suited for still remain quite undefined. The positive spin on this, though? He’s basically a blank canvas for the Phantoms and Flyers development staff. This season is everything for them to figure him out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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