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Travis Konecny really turned things on in the second half of the season, scoring 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points across 31 games after January 1st (including playoffs). He led the Ottawa 67s to a playoff spot, but unfortunately was injured in game five of the opening round series against the Niagara Ice Dogs. Without Konecny in the lineup, the 67s fell 4-3 to the Ice Dogs in game 6 of their series, and were eliminated.
Konecny has experienced a lot of success in his young career. He was the first overall pick in the 2013 OHL draft. In 2013-14 he was the OHL rookie of the year. He made team Canada’s Under 18 team last spring as an underager, taking home a bronze medal at the IIHF U18 World Championships. He also played on the Ivan Hlinka tournament team this summer, picking up five goals and six points in five games, and helping Canada to a gold medal. His shoulder injury has left his participation in this year’s U18s up in the air, as Canada still has five more forwards to name to their team for the tournament. He comes from good bloodlines, as he is the cousin of recent top 10 pick, and current Vancouver Canuck, Bo Horvat.
Travis Konecny
Center/Right Wing — shoots Right
Born Mar 11 1997 — London, ONT
Height 5.10 — Weight 176 [178 cm/80 kg]
Travis Konecny has excellent speed, and tremendous acceleration. He utilizes it both on the rush, and to be a cannonball on the forecheck. He has good balance and is strong on his skates. This helps him to to grind in the corners, work in the cycle game, or fight through checks to get to the front of the net. Konecny has strong agility and combines that with his great stickhandling to elude defenders and create plays. His speed must be respected as he can take a defender wide and cut to the net. This gives him the ability to slow up quickly and create shooting or passing lanes. Add to this great vision and passing ability and Konecny is the type of player who can make his linemates better. He also has a strong wrist shot and a good release. The good stickhandling and soft hands also come in handy for Konecny when he gets close to the net, as he can beat goalies in close, or can tip in shots, or pounce quickly on rebounds. He has the versatility to play centre, right wing, and even play the point on the powerplay at times.
Travis Konecny might be undersized, but he plays a physical, gritty game. As mentionned he is very willing to get involved in the forecheck, in board battles and in fighting for position in front of the net. He is also more than willing to use that physical game in his own end of the rink, coming back hard on the backcheck, applying back pressure and disrupting plays, and battling down low. He is more than willing to block shots, and has improved his faceoff skills this season. Konecny could stand to add some muscle to his frame, and this will greatly help him when he starts to face bigger and stronger opponents in pro hockey. He also played important matchups and penalty killing minutes for the 67s this season.
Konecny has the upside to be a top line centre in the NHL if his development goes extremely well and he reaches his ceiling. However it is more likely that he becomes a strong second line centre, with a good two-way game. He is also a natural leader, being named team captain at the Ivan Hlinka and with the 67s. His game is reminiscent of a mix of Zach Parise and Ryan Callahan though this is a stylistic comparison and not a talent one.
Here are some videos of Travis Konecny in action.
Check back tomorrow for the #14 Prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
Main Photo via Aaron Bell/OHL Images
