With Antero Niittymäki on the shelf after hip surgery and no NHL-ready goaltending prospects in the system, the Flyers have invited former top prospect Maxime Ouellet to try out as a non-roster invitee.

Ouellet, the Flyers' first-round pick (22nd overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, has been a major disappointment as a professional player after a brilliant junior career with the Quebec Remparts, where he was a teammate of Simon Gagne. At age 19, Ouellet made the Flyers' NHL roster to start the 2000-01 season before he was returned to the QMJHL. His two appearances turned out to be his only ones in a Flyers' uniform.

After turning pro, Ouellet played with the Phantoms and was subsequently traded to the Washington Capitals in the ill-fated Adam Oates deal. The trade came about because Jeremy Roenick and Keith Primeau were both injured at the time and GM Bob Clarke was concerned about losing one or both for the playoffs.

The deal was panned at the time, because Ouellet was considered the goaltender of the future and the 39-year-old Oates was an impending unrestricted free agent. As it turned out, Ouellet has fizzled out as a pro. Teams recognized that the butterfly stylist has problems with long shots and rebounds, and he's never become a confident (or confidence inspiring goaltender).

Last season, Ouellet played in the ECHL with Trenton. He has played in 12 NHL games between the Flyers, Capitals and Vancouver Canucks.

At 27, he's not too old turn around his career, but it's unlikely. He's basically been an average minor-league goaltender and little more. However, as a potential stopgap to back up Martin Biron until Niittymäki is able to come back (assuming it really is just a four to six week injury), Max could fit the bill.

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