TORONTO -- Travis Sanheim knows that Flyers training camp is just around the corner. The rangy defenseman hasn’t been sitting at home, instead recently taking part in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase getting photographed for his future Upper Deck rookie card.
In order to get that card he has to play one regular-season game for the orange and black. The powers that be at Upper Deck must feel that he’s close, so he was among 39 other elite young players, including Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.
Sanheim’s on-ice posse included friends and WHLers Shea Theodore (Ducks), Madison Bowey (Capitals), Jake Virtanen (Canucks) and John Quenneville (Devils). Virtanen and Sanheim were Calgary Hitmen teammates so it was a fun day for them to get together and eventually play a star-studded “exhibition."
“They’re all in the Western Hockey League," Sanheim said. "I played with or against them all year. I played with them as well at different events. We know each other really well so it’s been a lot of fun."
At 19, the 6-4, 200-pound defenseman looks less like a kid and a lot more like a serious NHL prospect. The Flyers do have a lot of defensemen on the roster, so barring injuries it’s unlikely he’d make the squad. Sam Morin was in a different group but he was at the shoot and looked terrific in the exhibition, as well. This is a great problem for the Flyers to have.
“We have a good group of young D-prospects," Sanheim said. "We’re all vying for spots. It’s going to be a battle and guys will be competing. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We all get along. We’re all friends off the ice."
With new coach Dave Hakstol at the helm, rookies get to go into camp with a clean slate. For many of them this will be the first time they will get on-ice instruction from their future coach.
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“I was in Philadelphia the day they hired him," Sanheim said. "I got the first opportunity to meet him. He seems like a good guy and a good coach. I’m excited to get things going with him and see what it’s all about."
The Brandon, Manitoba native streaks quickly up the ice and his stick and puck control is exceptional. What’s his secret?
“As a D-man you tend to have a longer stick," he said. "It definitely benefits me playing my 1-on-1s and in battles. In the offensive zone, I don’t seem to have trouble using a longer stick. I’m just kind of used to it."
If he doesn’t make the team or get a game or two early in the season, he’ll likely get some preseason action before being returned to Calgary for one more season. Next year, he’ll be old enough to play in the AHL if he doesn’t make the big club. Either way he will be an NHL regular before you know it and right now he’s progressing ahead of schedule.
That has to have Flyers fans salivating just a bit.