Ivan Provorov Wins CHL Defenceman of the Year

The Philadelphia Flyers certainly have something to look forward to in defenceman Ivan Provorov – who was named the CHL’s defenceman of the year on Saturday. The Brandon Wheat Kings blue liner helped the WHL champions at both ends of the ice.

The first-round, 7th overall pick of the Flyers recorded 73 points (21g-52a) in 62 regular season games for the Wheat Kings this season. In the playoffs, he added three goals and 10 assists in 21 games.

On top of his regular duties in the WHL, Provorov scored eight assists for Russia at the World Junior Championship in just seven games – helping his country to silver at the tournament. While his season ended without a Memorial Cup – with Brandon bowing out of the tournament – he did contribute two assists in three games.

The 19-year-old beat out draft-eligible Mikhail Sergachev and Samuel Girard for the honour of being named the CHL’s best defenceman. At six-foot-one and just over 200 pounds, it’s quite likely Provorov is nearing the jump to the NHL and winning the award is just a testament to how good his game is.

On the defensive end, he finished the season with a plus-64 rating and only took 16 penalty minutes in his 62 regular season games. While it will take some adjustment, Provorov will look to make the jump next season after yet another successful season in the WHL.