“Finally it has happened to me right in front of my face, my feelings can’t describe it,” a hit song by CeCe Peniston, is a good way to describe the Ivan Provorov. Provorov is a star already, and he’s only 23-years-old today. This young star is making his 6-year $40.50 million deal ($6.75 Million AAV) look like a bargain at this rate.
“Provy,” was rated as a top prospect in 2014-15, and he was selected 7th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Flyers. He finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of possibly playing in the NHL. After being drafted by the Flyers, Provorov continued playing with the Brandon Wheat Kings for the 2015-16 season. Provorov won the WHL championship with the Wheat Kings in 2015-16, and was named WHL Defenseman of the year. He signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers on July 3, 2015.
This young stud in Provorov will be the face of the franchise for years to come. Proof in the pudding came after a game on November 2, 2017, against the St. Louis Blues. The orange and black defeated the Blues 2-0, as Provorov played nearly half the game amassing 27:11 in ice time. This marked his fourth consecutive game that he was above 27 minutes in ice time. Even more impressive, Provorov was a human shield by blocking a whopping 10 shots. His nine blocked shots through two periods were a franchise record, a record that has stood since 1997.
The former Wheat King product, in Provorov, has registered 39 goals, and registered 82 apples for a total of 121 points in 291 games played for his NHL career. Provorov has earned this new/fair contract, especially after playing with one arm in Game 6 of the 2018 playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Provorov is averaging 24:51 in TOI (Time on Ice), per night this season. He plays against top line night after night. Moreover, Provorov has tallied six Power Play goals this year, which is a career high. Provorov is the face of the blue line for the orange and black for years to come, and he’s only 23. Happy birthday Ivan.
Photo taken by Jamey Baskow at Training Camp
