For years, Flyers fans have been begging for a true goal scoring sniper. Somebody that the team could pair with Claude Giroux, and somebody that would fit in with the gritty expectations of the fans. Finally, at the 2015 NHL Draft their prayers were answered. Drafted 24th overall, Travis Konecny was once considered a steal for the team. Now, he’s considered an an All-Star. Konecny is coming into his own and finding a bigger role on the team, “I’ve definitely had the opportunity to play with a lot of good players this year, and I’ve been put in a couple other different situations,” Konecny said.
These new situations, mostly first line minutes, have been big in allowing Konecny to blossom at the NHL level of competition. The speedy Right-Winger has spent a lot of his ice time with Giroux, and a mix of Sean Couturier or Joel Farabee. He has also spent time on both Power Play Units, and has been one of the few bright spots on the struggling PP. With 36 points in 38 games (12 g, 24a) his scoring has helped the Flyers in their divisional battle for playoff positioning, with the interstate rival Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Carolina Hurricanes.
The man they call ‘TK’ has also dug his way into many fans hearts with not only his on ice play, but his off-ice antics. Whether, it be a candid video of him with the song “All Star” in the background, also, singing one of Lionel Richie’s greatest hits “All night long,” with Nolan Patrick, or a perfect dangle on an opposing defenseman, the fans of the Flyers have fallen in love with him. He plays with grit and heart, which is not something that is often done by someone standing at just 5’10.” His wicked shot, and underrated passing ability makes him a threat from all places on the ice. These reasons and more were the catalyst behind the Flyers locking Konecny up to a 6-year $33 million extension this past off-season.
With the NHL All-Star game coming up, Konecny has been giving a lot of credit to his coaches and teammates, “Give a lot of credit to the people I worked with over the summer, and my teammates that I’ve had the whole journey,” Konecny said after finding out he made the All-Star game.
TK’s humor wasn’t lost in all of this All-Star formality. Originally, he was unsure of what to expect from the General Manager’s phone call, “I was just laying in bed actually, and Chuck (Fletcher) called me,” said Konecny, “What was going through my mind was the options of why he would be calling me on the day off.” Anxiety aside, TK is now an All-Star, and has always been one in the hearts of the Philly faithful. Look at his latest crazy goal…over and over again:
Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Maybe TK can work more on the way he treats kids…..last year I took my 2 sons to the Carnival….my 8 year old was wearing a Konecny Jersey…we saw TK in the concourse…my 8 year old went up to him and asked for his autograph…TK walked right pass my son….I asked if he could sign the jersey for an 8 year old…. His response to me was….” I am late to sign autographs for people who paid for my autograph” ……tears streamed from my sons eyes……
I feel so bad for your son. I would definitely recommend having your son play something like giant pong against TK at the carnival. I did that with him last year. It’s cheaper than the sign and snaps. He would love it. He would get to play against TK, get a picture with him, and two autographs.