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Young Provorov plans to play for Flyers next season

The Flyers' playoff run is over, but Ivan Provorov, the ultra-promising defenseman who could make the team in training camp, is putting the finishing touches on a superb season.

The Flyers' playoff run is over, but Ivan Provorov, the ultra-promising defenseman who could make the team in training camp, is putting the finishing touches on a superb season.

Provorov, 19, selected seventh overall in last year's draft, has helped the Brandon Wheat Kings reach the Western Hockey League finals that start Friday against Seattle.

Brandon dropped a 7-2 decision to Seattle in the teams' lone regular-season meeting.

"We didn't have our best game," Provorov said in a phone interview from Brandon earlier in the week. "It was early in the year, and the guys were still starting to get used to one another. If we play like we can, we'll be fine. We're fast, big, and skilled. We've got it all."

During the regular season, the 6-foot, 201-pound Provorov put up eye-opening numbers for his junior team: 21 goals, 73 points, and a (gulp) league-best plus-64 rating in 62 games. He has 10 points and a plus-17 rating in 16 playoff games.

"I tried to get better in all areas of my game and keep growing as a player," said Provorov, a Russian who speaks perfect English. "It's a great place to play."

At his end-of-season news conference, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall was asked how difficult it would be for Provorov and right winger Travis Konecny to jump from the junior ranks and earn a spot with the Flyers in October.

"Probably a better question for them, but we're not going to change philosophically in terms of young players," Hextall said. "They have to come in and be better than someone else that's here, and if that happens, we proved last year that we'll make room in our roster for a young player that proves to us that he's ready to play at this level and make our team better."

Provorov is as confident off the ice as he is on it.

"I think I'm ready," he said in a matter-of-fact tone, "but we'll see what happens. I think I'm going to have another good summer and come ready in September."

In the summer, Provorov's routine will include weightlifting, running, bike riding, light skating, and boxing.

Provorov, who was not in any WHL fights this season, said he boxes every summer.

"It's a great workout for your body as far as conditioning, and it never hurts to know how to fight and defend against guys," he said.

Paul Holmgren, the Flyers president, said last week that Hextall would be patient in putting young players on the roster next season.

"Knowing Ron the way I do, I think he would rather overcook them than bring them up too rare," he said.

Because of his age, Provorov is not eligible to play for the AHL's Phantoms next season. He would have to spend another year in the WHL if he doesn't earn a spot with the Flyers.

Said Hextall: "I'm not putting a player on the team so we can say we're a young team. They're going to have to come in here and earn a spot."

Like rookie sensation Shayne Gostisbehere, Provorov has outstanding hockey instincts. The Flyers hope that one day, perhaps as soon as the 2016-17 season, that translates into a smooth jump into the NHL.

"If you work hard and are willing to sacrifice and do everything you can to make the team and get better every day, I think you can make the transition at any age," Provorov said.

Breakaways

The Flyers' developmental camp will be held July 6-13 in Voorhees and will include one day in Stone Harbor. . . . Provorov also helped Brandon reach the WHL finals last year, when it lost to Kelowna. . . . The May 11 episode of The Goldbergs will center on a Flyers T-shirt and is dedicated to the memory of Ed Snider.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

@BroadStBull www.philly.com/flyersblog