Provorov proving he’s ready for prime time

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This article was published 17/11/2016 (3277 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PHILADELPHIA — Ivan Provorov is turning all the right heads within the Philadelphia Flyers organization.

The 19-year-old Russian-born defenceman, taken seventh overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, is making the kind of impression that exceeds the expectations of just about everyone, including himself.

“I know how lucky I am to be playing for such a great team with a great history. I’m really happy that I did enough to be here,” Provorov said Thursday.

“I’m just trying to play a good, solid 200-foot game. Whatever way I contribute, it doesn’t matter. I’m just trying to do everything I can to help the team win.”

The former Brandon Wheat King is still looking for his first NHL goal, but he has six assists in 17 games and is averaging 19:58 of ice time per game early on his rookie season playing alongside veteran blue-liner Mark Streit.

Provorov attended the Flyers camp in the fall of 2015, but returned to the Western Hockey League and had a dynamite season, registering 73 points (21 goals) in 61 games.

Ultimately, he was named the league’s defenceman of the year as Brandon captured the league championship.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said a roster spot was not guaranteed this season, but the youngster earned his way onto the big club.

“His tryout started last September in Brandon. We told him to go back there and strive to be the best defenceman in junior hockey,” Hextall said this week. “He’s a smart player, very calculated, very much a pro for only 19. Quite frankly, his maturity level is almost mind-boggling.

“He had some hiccups, like every young player and he’s had a couple of tough games. But he seems to be getting better and better, and we’re extremely excited.”

Provorov said the Wheat Kings did a great job preparing him for life as a pro — both on and off the ice — so he could make the jump.

“It was a great experience being there for two years,” he said. “Kelly (McCrimmon) is a great hockey guy. He knows the game so well and he’s such a great man. The community was wonderful to me, always made me feel at home. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Used to making big plays as a mobile, skilled player in junior, Provorov said taking a more simplistic approach to his game continues to be the biggest adjustment with the Flyers.

“You can’t make the most out of every puck possession you have. Sometimes, you just have to get it out of your zone. Flip it, chip it, just get it out,” he said. “You won’t have those opportunities like you used to, because the games are so tight, everybody’s got good systems and everyone’s so fast and physical.

“The more you play, the slower the game starts to feel for you. For me, it’s starting to feel like it’s slowing down and I have more time.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell