Travis Konecny named Flyers’ 2024 All-Star representative

Hey now, Travis Konecny, you’re an all-star.

The NHL has announced the first 32 players who will suit up at the 2024 All-Star Weekend in Toronto from Feb. 1-3. Konecny will represent the Flyers for the second time in his career after playing at the 2020 edition in St. Louis.

“It’s going to be great. ... I’m really excited. It’s an honor and couldn’t do it without my teammates,” Konecny said after potting both of the Flyers’ goals in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

Across the first 38 games of the regular season, Konecny leads the Flyers in points (35), goals (20), and short-handed goals (four). He is second on the team with 23 takeaways and is tied with Joel Farabee for first when it comes to scoring the opening goal. In the past 23 games, he has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists), and his 20th goal moved him up to within the top 10 of goal scorers in the NHL, alongside guys like Mikko Rantanen and Chris Kreider.

“It’s great for him, he deserves it,” coach John Tortorella said. “In that room, everybody knows he deserves that. So, we’re proud of him.”

The All-Star Game will be a special one for Konecny as it is a short two-hour drive east from where he grew up in London, Ontario. He’s already expecting family, extended family, and friends to be around for the festivities.

And while he had known that he would be heading to the NHL’s marquee event, after getting a call from general manager Danny Brière, he let those closest to him have the element of surprise — which led to his phone blowing after the news was announced.

Konecny also quickly gave credit to his teammates for helping him get to this point. But, like any athlete, he is also his toughest critic.

“It’s OK,” Konecny said when asked how he would assess his game thus far. “I think that it’s been a little inconsistent as far as individually how I’m playing both ends of the ice. It’s one game, [where] it’s good at one end and at the other, it’s not so good. And then vice versa the next game. So, I feel like I need to clean up the consistency a bit.”

» READ MORE: Joel Farabee’s promotion to the Flyers’ top line has been long overdue

Konecny is second among Flyers forwards when it comes to ice time at just above 19 minutes. He gets plenty of time across all strengths and has been playing alongside Sean Couturier for most of the season.

“He definitely brings a lot of energy. He’s all over the place on and off the ice,” Couturier told The Inquirer with a chuckle. “But he’s fun to play with, fun to be around and yeah, he’s a great player.”

Fans will now get to vote from Jan. 13-18 for the final 12 players to round out the rosters.

The All-Star Weekend will span three days this year, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 1 with a player draft to determine the teams. Friday will see the top players compete in the skills competition and Saturday is the All-Star Game.