Ivan Provorov

Lore & Background

Provorov began playing hockey in Yaroslavl with the Lokomotiv youth team before moving to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at age 13 to join the junior Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. He lived with a billet family and learned English through private school and films. After two seasons with the Knights and one with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL, he was selected 30th overall by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2014 CHL Import Draft. In the WHL, he won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the league's best defenceman in 2016. Internationally, he has represented Russia at the IIHF World U18 Championship, World U20 Championship, and Ice Hockey World Championships.

Provorov made his NHL debut with the Flyers on 14 October 2016 and did not miss a game from 2016 to 2022, a streak of 403 consecutive games that ended when he entered enhanced COVID-19 protocols. He was named an alternate captain for home games during the 2020–21 season. His iron man streak is the second-longest in Flyers history behind Rod Brind'Amour. Provorov is the youngest recipient of the Barry Ashbee Trophy in franchise history.

Reader's Guide

Provorov's significance lies in his exceptional durability and consistent defensive performance for the Philadelphia Flyers. From his debut in 2016 through early 2022, he played in 403 consecutive regular-season games, a streak that ranks second in Flyers history and set an NHL record for most consecutive games played by a defenceman from the start of a career with the same team. He won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' best defenceman four times, becoming the youngest player to do so. His 2019 contract extension—six years, $40.5 million—reflected his value as a top-pairing defenceman. Provorov's legacy includes scoring the winning goal in double overtime of Game 6 of the 2020 Eastern Conference semifinals, forcing a Game 7 against the New York Islanders. After the 2021–22 season, he was critical of the Philadelphia media when asked about his performance. He later joined the Columbus Blue Jackets, continuing his NHL career.

Did You Know?

• Provorov learned English by watching the film Gladiator.
• He set an NHL record of 331 consecutive games played by a defenceman from the start of a career for the same team.
• He was a finalist for the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award in 2015.
• Provorov played with future Penn State skater Nikita Pavlychev as a child.