The future in Philadelphia is bright, and Ivan Provorov looks to be a big part of it.
Selected seventh overall in the 2015 draft, Provorov was coming off of 61 points in 60 games for the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. Being over a point per game as a defenseman is already pretty impressive, but doing it in the Western Hockey League, the three of the CHL leagues known most for its defense? Well, that’s all the better.
Provorov didn’t stop there, of course. He scored 73 points in 62 games this season, the most out of all defensemen, and helped lead the Wheat Kings to first place in the Eastern Conference. They’ll be facing the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round of the playoffs – and no doubt Provorov is going to be a big part of that series.
After all, it’s no secret that he’s one of the best the WHL has to offer.
Provorov was named the Top Eastern Conference Defenseman, which is hardly a surprise. Playing for the best team in the conference, two wins away from being the best team overall, and being the top defensive scorer in the entire league? That’ll definitely do it.
With a +64 rating, Provorov also won the Plus-Minus Award for having the best plus-minus in the entire league. Say what you will about the stat and the flaws that come with it – but a +64 over an entire season is pretty awesome.
Furthermore, Provorov was named to the Eastern Conference’s First All-Star Team, and was the only unanimous selection.
The Flyers prospect cleaned up in the regular season, that’s for sure. And with Brandon sitting atop the WHL standings, Provorov’s chances for a great post-season run look pretty good, too.
So the question is… where does he play next year?
