Get to know Travis Konecny (koh-NECK-nee)
Date of Birth: 3/11/1997
Place of Birth: Clachan, Ontario
Ht: 5’10″ Wt: 176 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing/Center
Team: Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Fast. Determined. Electric. Well-rounded. Game-changer.
These are just a few of the words used to describe the Ottawa 67’s 17-year-old captain. The young sniper/playmaker really stepped up his game during the second half of the season, and has been on the draft board rise ever since. Even though he’s a bit smaller in stature at 5’10”, he plays much bigger and has shown he warrants a 1st round selection in June.
Statistics
What Scouts See
[Konecny]’s at his best using his speed in short bursts offensively, dictating pace by stopping and starting quickly. He’s also at his best when he’s engaging physically, throwing big hits and agitating on the forecheck. Konecny also possesses a fantastic wrist shot with a pro calibre release. As the captain of the 67’s, it goes without saying that his leadership qualities are also significant.
I think that, really, the only strike against Konecny is size. At 5’10, Konecny plays a much larger game (and needs to play that way to be successful). And he’s run into some injury issues, including a shoulder injury that kept him out late in the year and in the playoffs. So there are durability questions.
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.
What BSN Avalanche Sees
After being named the OHL’s rookie of the year in ’13-’14 and becoming the 67’s Captain, he stared the season a bit slow, possibly due to putting too much pressure on himself. However, once 2015 hit, he clearly showed how promising of a player he could be.
Fast with and without the puck, he’s at his best when weaving around defensemen, making great passes to his teammates, or using his pro-caliber wrister. Unlike some other players around his size, Konecny doesn’t mind physical play and is very adept at dropping his shoulder and using his body to shelter the puck.
He also has a high hockey IQ and vision. One of the high points of his game is how he not only finds his teammates, but also the weak areas on the ice to make a play. If he’s given time and space, he’ll make the opposition pay, and if he’s not, he’ll use his smooth skating, soft hands, and elusive agility to correct the matter.
He’s also competent in the defensive zone, particularly when it comes to smart stickwork. Despite his smaller frame, he’s also not afraid to muck along the boards, often going up against players much larger than himself. Overall, he’s just a well-rounded prospect with a good amount of upside.
Highlights
NHL Potential
Konecny will likely find a spot as a Top 6 sniper/playmaker sometime in the near future. While I doubt he jumps right to the NHL, most of the aspects of his game that teams are looking for are already there. But even if his offensive game doesn’t translate, his smarts will make a decent defensive depth player. Unlike a lot of smallish forwards, he plays big enough to make the assignment work.
Expected Draft Position
Konecny might not have the pure offensive upside of players projected to go in the top 10, but he’ll likely slot in around the 10-15 mark. After an 18 pt January, 14 pt February, and 10 pts in 5 playoff games, his stock has understandably risen. Some team might even surprise us with a higher selection if they buy into his potential.
How Would Prospect Fit in the Avalanche Organization?
The Avs already have a good crop of skilled offensive players who are a little on the smaller side. Konecny’s game is fairly similar to Duchene’s, although I’m not sure he has that amount of scoring upside. Roy has made it clear he’d like the club to get bigger, so Konecny might have a bit of a hard time cracking the Avs Top 6 anytime soon.
However, the club is short on high-end forward prospects. He’d be a great add to the system and instantly jump to the head of the “up and coming forwards” depth chart.
While I doubt the Avs take him at 10 – opting for a defenseman or power forward instead – he’s sure to make some team somewhere very happy over the coming years.
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