Just as the Flyers have been chipping away at their bits of business in need of addressing this summer, so too has their AHL affiliate down in Lehigh Valley.

The Phantoms announced today that they have signed forward Cooper Marody to a two-year AHL deal.

Marody, drafted by the Flyers back in 2015, had his rights traded to Edmonton in 2018, and spent parts of the next five seasons in their organization, but he came back where it all started ahead of the 2022-23 season, when he joined the Phantoms. In his first season with the team, he totaled 15 goals and 40 points in 47 games played (good for fifth in scoring on the team), and last season, we saw him take a significant step forward, scoring 19 goals and amassing 56 points in 68 games, leading the team in both goals and overall points scored.

And while it might not be a hugely flashy signing, it is a good one for the Flyers’ AHL squad. The team they’re putting together for the 2024-25 season looks to be a young one — the Flyers have had a good bulk of prospects graduate to the AHL over the last couple of seasons — and as fun as that can be, there’s still value in having some good veteran support to help them out. And while Marody is still just 27 years old, is entering his seventh season in the league, and fits the role perfectly as a player who can offer some guidance to the younger players who are still trying to get adjusted to the league, as well as contribute well on the ice, keep pace on a young and fast team, and provide a bit of stability and consistency on the scoring front — as he’s done for the last two seasons.

The Phantoms, who made it to the second round of the playoffs last season, are looking to take a step forward and find some even better results, and they’re banking on Marody being a key piece in that.