Ivan Provorov is quickly becoming the Philadelphia Flyers’ Top Defenseman.
IVAN PROVOROV
Defenseman, Philadelphia Flyers
Ivan Provorov has been a mainstay on the Philadelphia Flyers blue line. The 2016 7th overall pick has an impressive resume, winning a WHL championship, two silver medals at the World Juniors and the CHL defenseman of the year last season.
“An offensively gifted defenceman who can direct the game’s pace when the puck is on his stick. Provorov is a quick and agile skater with an accurate release on his shot, which he can get off anywhere below the blue line; creates many chances on the power play and can even create offense during the penalty kill. Is an adroit and creative passer who knows how to use his teammates well. All-in-all, a complete defenceman who knows how goals are scored and executes accordingly. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)”
The Yaroslavl native moved to America at age thirteen to pursue the dream of playing in the National Hockey League. It’s worked; the Russian National is averaging 21 minutes a game, leading the Philadelphia Flyers in minutes played for the Orange and Black.
“Quite honestly, it’s a strange route,” Hextall said. “I think about myself leaving home at 13 or one my kids leaving home at 13, it’s like…whoa. I certainly wouldn’t want it with one of my kids. I really admire it, the fact that he was willing to leave home at such a young age. Obviously it served him well. He’s a mature young man and he works hard. (Courier Post)
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“Provy” has collected 4 goals and 22 points in 53 games played. The smooth-skating defenseman may not be in the Calder Conversation with the likes of Auston Matthews, Patrick Laine and Mitch Marner. Though he may not be the flashiest player on the ice, Provorov is usually the smartest and safest.
“He’s been tremendous, I can’t say enough about the poise, he’s 19 going on 35, he is just so mature for his age and he looks like he’s been around for 10 years. He works as hard as anybody in practice and he’s always picking people’s brains and he’s a very, very cerebral player and very physically gifted player. He might have the highest hockey IQ of anybody on that team” (Carchidi)
A coach’s dream, Provorov plays in all situations and a complete 200 foot game. The Hockey News rated Provorov the fifteenth best player under the age of 21. Coach Dave Hakstol says he is impressed by Provorov’s maturity and willingness to self-evaluate.
The young Russian could very much be the solution to the Flyer’s need of a franchise defenseman, that Philadelphia has been in search of since 2011-12 when Chris Pronger’s career ended abruptly.
“You do tend to forget he’s only 19 at times,” MacDonald said of his defensive partner. “You can see his confidence building.
Provorov is the highest rated of a stable of young defensemen coming up in Philadelphia, a group that includes two former 1st rounders Samuel Morin and Travis Sanheim.
The young defenseman has come as advertised and is giving Flyers’ faithful, many reasons to be excited for the organization and Provorov’s future.
