Skip to content
Flyers
Link copied to clipboard

Sanheim shows confidence in first stint on ice for Flyers

First-round pick Travis Sanheim was the youngest Flyers prospect on the ice, but played with poise in rookie scrimmage.

Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)
Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)Read more

AT ONE END of the ice, Flyers prospect Nick Cousins was flying around like a maniac, trying to decapitate Washington Capitals rookies.

At the other end, 6-7 first-round pick Samuel Morin was trading blows in a first-period fight with pesky Capital Liam O'Brien. Another tussle broke out only 27 seconds later, much to the delight of the more than 1,000 fans who showed up yesterday for the annual rookie scrimmage in Voorhees, N.J.

"It was a high-energy game," Phantoms assistant coach Riley Cote said. "Everyone is trying to prove something. You do get guys running around a little bit to try and make a name for themselves."

Amid the fury, on a regulation-sized ice surface that seemed to have very little room, the Flyers' rookies found a calming influence from an 18-year-old defenseman.

Travis Sanheim, the Flyers' first-round draft pick last June at Wells Fargo Center, performed exceptionally well in his first competitive test - even though most of the onlookers seemed intent on focusing on fellow defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere, Morin and Robert Hagg, who many think are more NHL-ready.

That isn't to say Gostisbehere, Morin or Hagg did not play well. But rather, Sanheim just seemed to be a bit further ahead than some might have originally projected. Sanheim seemingly stayed true to his own game. He was actively involved in the rush, making strong outlet passes before quickly joining the offense up ice.

In the first period, Sanheim weaved through two Capitals players with the puck, creating a mini-breakaway before he was hauled down and drew a penalty.

"The pace and level of play was high," Sanheim said. "I think the first couple shifts, I was feeling my way into it. I had a little less time with the puck. But once I was able to get adjusted, I felt a lot more comfortable.

"I think I created quite a bit of offense, I was able to get involved and get in the play."

Sanheim was also stout in the defensive end, helping the Flyers' rookies shut out Washington, 3-0. He did not create any glaring mistakes or turnovers.

Not bad for one of the youngest players on the ice (born in 1996), playing against players 6 years older, wearing a full Flyers uniform for the first time in front of a rabid crowd.

With so much for players to prove, and the NHL brass of both clubs watching from the perch above, the game was decidedly less controlled than a typical AHL or NHL game. That didn't faze Sanheim.

"He did a great job," said Cote, who coached the defense along with Terry Murray. "He seems confident. He moves well. His character seems really composed. He grabs the ice well; he sees it well.

"Composure is one of those things you can't teach. I don't think age determines composure; that's his character to play like that."

Sanheim said he felt particularly comfortable in rookie camp with the Flyers, which concluded with yesterday's scrimmage. New Flyers assistant coach Gord Murphy ran most of the on-ice drills for defensemen. Murphy, hired by Ron Hextall this summer to replace John Paddock, was Sanheim's coach for Canada at the Under-18 World Championships in April.

Sanheim picked up an assist for Canada in its victorious bronze-medal game.

Murphy was not available for comment yesterday.

"Already knowing him, I think he's really helped my confidence, made me feel a little more comfortable," Sanheim said. "I think he helped me get adjusted faster."

For many of the other 39 players, yesterday's scrimmage was a first chance to lay a hit after a long summer, and to do so with a chance to impress management in a rambunctious atmosphere. Maybe it's just that Sanheim recently had a chance to experience all of that in this town.

"Yeah, I kind of already got a taste of the fans at the draft," Sanheim said with a laugh. "I knew there'd be a lot of support."

Slap shots

Anthony Stolarz (30:22), a second-round pick in 2012, split the game with Martin Ouellette (29:38) in net. The two combined to stop 32 shots to shut out the Caps . . . Samuel Morin got the best of Washington's Liam O'Brien in a first-period fight. Austin Fyten dropped the gloves with Michal Cajkovsky in the other bout . . . Horsham native Brett Sheva, who is climbing through the ranks on his own quest to make it to the NHL, was one of the game's referees . . . With the regular-season puck drop in only 21 days, the ice was laid at Wells Fargo Center yesterday.

Blog: ph.ly/FrequentFlyers