Twarynski Emerging To Forefront of Flyers Training Camp Surprises

ALLENTOWN - A year ago at this time, Carsen Twarynski saw himself cut from the Flyers at training camp and assigned for some extra work with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in AHL training camp as a junior hockey player entering the year with just one overage season of eligibility left in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Twarynski played in the Phantoms' preseason contests at the end of September before being sent back to juniors for another year, giving what Flyers GM Ron Hextall said Friday was "another year to evaluate him and make a decision."

"A year ago with Carsen, we were just okay with where he was at. He's a power forward and he was playing a little too much of a skill game so we sent him back to juniors," Hextall recalled of Twarynski's situation at this time last year.

The Flyers' 3rd round selection in 2016 returned to Kelowna (WHL) last fall and went to work, turning in a 45-goal season in 68 games while playing the way he needs to if he hopes to have success at the pro level.

"He went back to juniors and pretty much everything we wanted him to do, he did," the Flyers' GM said. "He's playing the type of game that he needs to play as a pro and he did last year. It did him a lot of good. He played a big role, and he's done a good job. He absolutely has worked his tail off and he deserves to be here right now."

Twarynski credits his time spent in the AHL with the Phantoms last spring - and the playoff run - for what has given him a leg up heading into this season's preparations.

"I think it was really valuable," Twarynski recalled of his first taste of pro hockey in the AHL last spring. "It gave me a chance to experience pro hockey and to experience the tempo, the culture and what it takes to be a pro. To be able to get a few games in at the end of the year and be up there for two months, it was valuable. It definitely helped me as a beginner."

So, what's been the difference for Twarynski? It could be as simple as playing a more refined, power-forward type role more suited to his skill set and strengths.

"His speed. Speed getting to pucks, getting in on the forecheck," Hextall said of Twarynski at this year's camp. "Those are all the little things he needs to do, and he's willing to make contact with bodies. He's got a good shot. He's got a real good release. He's been really good. He's one of those guys coming in to camp you say, well he's going to have to show something and to his credit he has."

After talking with Twarynski earlier this summer at development camp, there's no doubting that he's taken the advice from the Flyers management/staff and made the necessary changes to his game.

"With all the young guys coming, we have a lot of skill. We play hard, and physical. We all play that 'Broad Street' mold," Twarynski said. "I'm excited for the next couple of years to see what's in store."