Photo Credit: Our very own Samantha Wismer
In an exclusive interview with Flyers Prospect Forward Tanner Laczynski, we chatted about his College Days, World Juniors, what differences there are between the AHL and NHL, and much more.
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Sam: What difference have you seen coming from a College Market like Ohio to Philly?
It’s different in some way. Being there with hockey and stuff, it’s more about football. The attention was all about football. Here I think they take pride in all of their sports teams, which is awesome. You’re being backed by the city, that’s why culture is such a big thing here. Getting back to the winning tradition and getting back on the right path is a big thing. Philly as a whole is a hardworking city. When you’re on the right side of things, nothing’s better.
What experiences do you bring back from your time at World Juniors?
I think just adaptability, being able to play in different situations, being able to play on the 4th line, being hard on the pucks. Just doing the little things. It’s not always about scoring goals, it’s also about playing defense, just being hard to play against.
We know you are about to be a dad really soon. Are you excited?
Oh yeah. Definitely excited, a little nervous for me and my wife. We are both ready for him to be here.
Is there any regimen you’re doing to aid in the health of your hips?
Honestly, I’ve been feeling good. Especially a camp like this is obviously taxing. So I think just getting my rest and anytime I can get to bed early I try to do that, and get all the rest I can. Obviously, just doing all the exercises and rehabilitation exercises. I’m still doing stuff for my hips to ensure they are ready for games.
What differences are there between Lappy’s System and Tort’s system so far?
Pretty similar actually. They both want you to play the right way. They both expect you to play hard offensively and just as hard defensively. It’s a 200-foot game. It’s all the little details, blocking shots, and making smart, simple plays as opposed to making turnovers. I think it’s pretty similar, their play styles and how they want you to play the game.
What was it like when you first got drafted and then signed your first contract?
So obviously, being a younger and getting drafted, you’re new to it all. You’re excited to be getting drafted and having the attention. Then you realize, that’s just the start of it. You have to put in a lot of work and a lot of effort and a lot of time. That’s part of the growing up aspect of it. You get drafted and it’s great and then you get to college and realize you still have a lot of work to put in. I think that helped me along the way, choosing college. Having 4 years to have that consistency, the workouts, skating, and a lot of practice time. That was a big help in my development.
Sam: What was your most fun college hockey experience?
Probably my sophomore year. So obviously we have a big rivalry with Michigan. We beat Michigan 5 times that year. Every time we played them, we beat them. Then the Big 10 Semi-Finals, We were up against them and we played at the Nationwide Blue Jackets Arena and we went to overtime and beat them in overtime, that was a pretty special moment. That same year we ended up making it to the Frozen Four and ended up playing in Allentown for regionals. We won our regionals there and ended up going to the Frozen Four.
What was it like transitioning to Lincoln, Nebraska after playing for Chicago Steel?
Not too bad. I feel like all junior teams are pretty much the same. Obviously, anytime you move, it’s a change. Everyone was really welcoming in there and we had a good group of guys. We had a good team. Moving away, because I was at home that entire time, playing at home, playing in juniors at home. That was my first time being on my own. It was a little bit of a change but I enjoyed it and it was a good time.
What is your proudest hockey accomplishment?
I’d have to say, probably winning World Juniors. I feel like I was kind of an underdog going into camp and I beat out a lot of pretty good players and highly touted players. I think me being able to work hard and show the things I can do, just being simple and being able to play 4th line and doing whatever they needed. I think that kind of set me apart from other guys. Just being able to make the World Junior team and end up winning a gold medal, has been my fondest memory so far. Hopefully, one day, be a full-time NHL player.
Sam: Did you chat with Tyson (Foerster) since he just came back from World Juniors?
Yeah, I asked him when he came in “You didn’t want to bring in the gold medal? You didn’t want to wear it around your neck?” but no, he can probably attest, it’s special to win it, for him to win it at home in Canada is pretty special as well.
What is your biggest goal you’d like to accomplish this season?
Make the Flyers out of camp and kind of just build off of every day. Just try to get better. It’s a long season. I think just trying to take tips and little stuff here and there and really listen to coaches and guys on the team about little things that I can take and help with my game. I still have a long way to go, but I think my work ethic and the bulk of how I am as a player is there. I think I can improve on some smaller aspects that will help me develop in the next level.
What’s the best thing about being a Flyer?
Like I said before, you know the whole city is behind you. It’s a hard-working city, they wear their hearts on their sleeves and I think that is what’s exciting about it and I think that’s why they want the big culture change here and to get back to the hard-working, gritty, Flyers team. Where it’s like “no one will screw with us” so it’s exciting and I’m happy to be here and happy to be a part of it.
What would you say are the differences between Allentown and Philly, game-wise?
I’d say just decision making, speed of the game, everyone is thinking 1 step, 2 steps ahead. Just a faster-paced game, everyone is extremely skilled. It’s the little details here that separate being here as opposed to Lehigh. I think that comes into factor and you can see that when you get up here. The smallest little details that you do shift in and shift out matter and that’s what separates guys from being in the NHL and the AHL.
Thank you for your time Tanner!!!
