OTTAWA, Ontario — There was a somewhat familiar face at the Flyers' game-day skate at Canadian Tire Centre Tuesday morning, and it’s a face the organization hopes will be one of the franchise in the near future and for years to come.
Travis Konecny, the Flyers' second first-round pick at 24th overall last June, was taking a break from his duties as the captain of the Ottawa 67’s to meet with his future employer as the Flyers prepared to battle the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m./TCN).
Not only was Konecny watching the guys he hopes will be teammates, but he also had an extra jump in his step as earlier in the day it was announced that he had been named to the Team Canada selection camp for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship.
“It’s really exciting because it’s been something I’ve worked for and I’m just looking forward to the opportunity and hoping I can make the best out of it,” said Konecny, who will try and make the Canadian national team when camp opens up in a little more than a week.
“It’s one of the things I’ve always wanted to do and it’s been on my mind. Now I have the opportunity.”
Calgary Hitmen defenseman and Flyers prospect Travis Sanheim was also invited to the Canadian selection camp Tuesday.
As for Konecny, who is currently ninth in OHL scoring with 39 points in 25 games, he says there is no real timetable for a jump to the NHL.
“One day at a time. I’m working to improve and do whatever I can to impress,” he said, adding it was nice to spend the morning at practice.
“It’s definitely fun to come and say hi and see the faces and also to see how they prepare.”
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said it was a good opportunity for Konecny and the Flyers.
“It’s good to catch up, it’s good for everyone to see him," Hextall said. "He played (two) preseason games for us so our players know him and the coaches obviously know him, so it’s a good experience for him."
“Last time we were here on a Saturday so I had hoped (the 67’s) were playing on Friday, but no such luck.”
As for the game Tuesday, it’s the second in just 10 days for the Flyers in Canada’s capital city, and circumstances surrounding the team have certainly changed in that time.
On Nov. 21, the Flyers were shut out, 4-0, by the Senators. It was the third straight loss for the club and second straight in which they failed to score a goal.
Since that time, they have won three of four, including a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers at MSG Saturday in a game that Claude Giroux said was the team’s best game of the season.
“The last two games we’ve been playing better hockey," the Flyers' captain said. "The last game we were consistent the whole 60 minutes and that’s the team we want to be.
“We’ve made an effort to make sure we look at the small picture. The small picture is there’s 10 games left before Christmas so we have to make sure we put ourselves in a good position to make a playoff push and we really believe as a team that we can do that, and it starts with two points tonight.”
Steve Mason will get the start in goal tonight for the Flyers. The Senators will counter with Craig Anderson.