Travis Sanheim bio box
Facts and figures about the Flyers' first-round draft pick.
Position: Defenseman
How acquired: No. 17 pick in the draft
Height: 6-3. Weight: 181.
Age: 18. Born: March 29, 1996.
Team: Calgary Hitmen (Western Hockey League)
Hometown: Elkhorn, Manitoba, Canada.
Last season: 67 games played, 5 goals, 24 assists, plus-25 . . . Hitmen won Central Division of the WHL
Quick hitters: Somewhat of a surprise pick, given that he was 53rd among North American skaters, according to the NHL's predraft rankings . . . Enforces new general manager Ron Hextall's strategy of building the team through defensemen . . . Joins 2013 first-round pick Samuel Morin, 2013 second-round pick Robert Haag, and Shayne Gostisbehere to form a core of blueliners for the future.
Personal: Lists his favorite team as the Penguins and his favorite player as Sidney Crosby. That will change in a hurry . . . His goal celebration is "one knee, scrape the ice with hand."
Last three defensemen taken by Flyers in first round: Samuel Morin (11th, 2013), Luca Sbisa (19th, 2008), Joni Pitkanen (4th, 2002).