Philadelphia Flyers sign Massimo Rizzo to entry-level contract

The 22-year-old just wrapped up his 2023-24 campaign, winning the NCAA national championship with the University of Denver Pioneers. He tallied 10 goals and 34 assists for 44 points in 30 games. Rizzo was named to the NCAA NCHC Second All-Star Team and the NCAA West Second All-American Team. He was also a Hobey Baker Award nominee to close out his career.

Rizzo has spent the last three seasons with the Pioneers, earning himself two titles. Rizzo gad 39 goals and 87 assists for 126 points during his tenure there, making himself one of the best offensive forwards in the country. During the 2021-22 campaign, Rizzo was named an NCAA Rookie of the Year finalist.

The Burnaby, British Columbia product was originally selected No. 216 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Rizzo’s rights were subsequently traded to the Flyers last season for David Kase.

Prior to his college career, Rizzo was a point-per-game player with the Penticton Vees and Coquitlam Express in the BCHL and helped the Vees capture the BCHL Championship in 2017. On the international stage, Rizzo had four points in 10 games over two World Junior A Challenge tournaments, both with Canada West.