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It has been far from easy for Brian Flynn on his trip to the NHL.
He wasn’t highly recruited while playing high school and prep hockey in New England. When it came time for college, the Massachusetts native walked on at the University of Maine.
He worked his way into a scholarship and would eventually earn the captaincy and leave the Black Bears program 11th all-time in scoring with 156 points in 153 games.
As a senior, Flynn was part of the highest scoring line in all of division one and earned Hockey East First Team honors.
Flynn was never drafted so about a year ago, as a free agent, Flynn signed a two way contract with the Buffalo Sabres which included a signing bonus of just over $90,000 and was on his way to Rochester for his initial pro experience.
Flynn joined an Amerks team that was making a push for a playoff spot with five games left in the regular season and he didn’t really play much.
He began this season back in Rochester and was tied for the team lead in goals with 16 in 45 games when he was called up by the Sabres.
Ron Rolston didn’t have to go through any get to know you time with Flynn, having coached him in Rochester. Rolston likes Flynn’s hockey smarts, quick hands and stick skills.
That has become apparent as Rolston continues to give the 6-1, 185 pound Flynn more ice time each game.
In his first NHL appearance, on March 2nd at New Jersey, Flynn received just under 9 minutes of ice time. Over the last four games, its been 12:42, 13:26, 15:15 and then 16:52 in the loss to the Flyers.
Flynn, who has been on a line with one time Amerks teammates Kevin Porter and Marcus Foligno, was pointless through his first three games in the Blue and Gold but has scored a goal in each of the last two.