BUFFALO — With the 82nd pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers have selected winger Carsen Twarynski of the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.
This specific pick was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the trade that sent Luke Schenn and Vincent Lecavalier out west. The Flyers have now taken five players in the first 82 picks of the draft this year, which is just so friggin’ awesome. Ron Hextall forever.
Twarynski posted 20 goals and 25 assists in 67 games with the Hitmen this past season, his second in the WHL. The Flyers have presumably seen a lot of him, since he’s teammates with two of their current prospects — defenseman Travis Sanheim and forward Radel Fazleev.
Future Considerations lists the 6’1″, 190-pound Twarynski as a “LW/D”, which suggests he’s moved around the ice a bit during his time in Calgary.
Here’s what Future Considerations has to say about him:
Twarynski is a big-bodied winger who is at his best when he keeps his feet moving and plays a physically aggressive style. He uses his speed, physical play and IQ to be effective defensive- ly and open up his game offensively. He has very good wrist and slap shots that are consistently hard and looking to pick corners. Twarynski moves the pucks well and can spring a teammate with a quick and decisive pass at on the tape. He uses his strength and legs well to aid con- trolling the puck for longer periods of time in the offensive zone and along the wall, leading to some quick scoring chances. He has a good thought process and takes high-percentage routes to the net, paying the price if need be.
Twarynski consistently uses his speed in the defensive end to keep coverage tight. He keeps his stick down in good position to cover passing lanes or to sweep at an opponent before he pulls the puck away from him. He closes to his man quickly and forces quick decisions that limit the options of his opponents. Twarynski gets real deep into the defensive zone to support, and plays with energy and physicality. He’s not overly aggres- sive—looking for big hits or head hunting—but he does not like being denied and works hard to keep his feet moving through checks. He showed this season that he can be a key part of the team and play in any role asked of him. We would temper any expectations for high-end point production, but guys with his size, speed and skill always are in high demand at the next level
