Flyers Rookie Ivan Provorov as Good as Advertised
Flyers rookie Ivan Provorov is pretty amazing.
It’s hard not to be impressed by 19-year-old Philadelphia Flyers rookie Ivan Provorov so far. In 31 games, the reigning CHL Defenseman of the Year has recorded three goals and 11 assists as Philadelphia’s jack-of-all-trades defenseman, seeing time on the Flyers’ power play and penalty killing units. Provorov has justifiably inserted himself into the conversation as the best rookie defenseman in the NHL and could even be in the running for the Calder Trophy come June.
Of course, Provorov has had to endure some bumps along the way to get to this point.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks in October, Provorov had the worst game of his young career with a minus-5 rating and an unforgettable rookie misstep.
More from Broad Street Buzz
Literally.
While trying to recover a puck in his own end, Provorov slipped and fell, allowing Chicago’s Dennis Rasmussen to break loose and beat Michal Neuvirth for an easy goal.
It was a bad night for the rookie defenseman, but when it came time for Philadelphia to take on Chicago once again, Provorov responded exactly the way you’d hope—by scoring two goals, including the game-winner, and sporting a plus-1 rating.
Not only is Provorov beginning to find his scoring touch, but apparently he can play a little goalie as well.
Provorov save in OT pic.twitter.com/rxIIeJAq8s
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 7, 2016
Provorov currently leads all Flyers skaters in ice time and ranks as the second-best defenseman in the NHL at five-on-five behind only Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks.
In other words, he’s very good.
Buckle your seat belts, because Philadelphia has struck gold.