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| Travis Sanheim and Robert Hagg formed a formidable duo in Friday's preseason opener. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey |
Position Flexibility Could Prove Valuable For Sanheim
Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook
While it's not a definite that Travis Sanheim will be paired with Robert Hagg to begin the season like he was Friday night in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' preseason opener, one thing is for sure - Sanheim will be playing on the right side this season.
"That's something they want me playing going forward," Sanheim said after Friday's 6-1 loss to the Charlotte Checkers. "Throughout my career I have been able to play both sides, so I'm not afraid to go over and switch to the right side," he added.
REMINDER: The Phantoms host the Charlotte Checkers again tonight at 7:05 p.m.
Follow here for live in-game coverage of tonight's game on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock and @H_P_Hockey.
Stay tuned online after the game for a full recap of the action, and new this season a post-game extra with final thoughts and player/coach quotes and interviews.
Sanheim joined the Phantoms last spring, making his pro debut and getting a four-game taste of the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared to get more comfortable with each passing shift, entering the offseason with a goal and two assists in four pro games and motivated to make the jump full-time this fall.
"It's my first year pro, so I'm just trying to get a little more comfortable with the guys and with the systems," explained of his goals during this weekend's preseason games.
After all, this is the time you get rookies into some game situations and they learn what works and what doesn't. Sanheim should be in Saturday night's lineup as well - another chance to clean up some things before the regular season gets underway for the Phantoms next weekend.
Phantoms head coach Scott Gordon had a detailed explanation when asked if the plan moving forward was to have Sanheim learn the right side on defense.
"Just like we did with Ghost last year, down the road there might be more opportunities on the right side for some of our prospects," Gordon explained Friday night. "I think when you're in a situation to be able learn down here on the off-side, it's a lot easier to learn than in the NHL."
If nothing else, putting Sanheim on the right side is going to provide the Flyers with even more flexibility for the direction of the talented plethora of blue line prospects the organization has coming up the ranks.
"If Travis has the ability to play both sides, somewhere down the road is going to give him an opportunity to play in the NHL, and on both sides," Gordon said. "If he can do that, he doubles his chances."
In Case You Missed It
The Phantoms opened their preseason schedule Friday night, and although the final score was ugly there were plenty of positives to be taken away from the first preseason game.
New this season, each game night will have an additional story complete with final thoughts, player interviews and more. Here's last night's Post-Game EXTRA (10/7).
New writers added to the site this season - Ian Altenbaugh and Tim Riday - wrote their first monthly prospect reports earlier this week. They'll be covering the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers prospects, respectively, and will have regular updates throughout the season. Take a look:
I've featured several Phantoms' players already this preseason. Here's an inside look on some of the new faces as well as some familiar names:
Penguins Prospect Report - September
Flyers Prospect Report - SeptemberPhantoms head coach Scott Gordon said there will be a lot of expectations for this season's team.
I've featured several Phantoms' players already this preseason. Here's an inside look on some of the new faces as well as some familiar names:
Sundher Thankful for a Second Chance with Phantoms
Confident Leier Looking to Leave Lasting Impression
Miele Sees Opportunity With Flyers
Will O'Neill Looks Forward to Facing Penguins
Carey Looks to Bring Scoring Touch to Lehigh ValleyIn case you missed it, I launched Highland Park Hockey's YouTube channel. Here are the first two video interviews I have posted so far this season:
Anthony Stolarz - Flyers/Devils Post Game (9/28/16)
Cole Bardreau - Phantoms Training Camp
2 comments:
Good thinking to put Saindheim to the right side! I like to see Tyler Coulbourne playing a good year and him to be a more like Matt Martin on the ice and that means that he got to harness his physical play and don"t take so many stupid penalties! But he must also skate hard and keep his strong tackles hard, but glean! And hopefully in the next year he can be whit the big club in line-fore left wing position, because Flyers need that kind of role player on they"re team at least in my mind Tyler Coulbourne would be a major upgrade from VandeVelde!
I see your point about Goulbourne, but I really doubt he makes it to the big club. Simply is not skilled enough and takes too many penalties
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