Being sent back to the Western Hockey League last October by the NHL害羞草研究所檚 Philadelphia Flyers was one of the more sobering moments of 害羞草研究所檚 career.
But once the initial pangs of disappointment wore off, it didn害羞草研究所檛 take the 20-year-old Kelowna Rockets害羞草研究所� forward long to see the bigger picture.
害羞草研究所淥riginally, being (sent back) wasn害羞草研究所檛 what I wanted, but really it害羞草研究所檚 been a blessing,害羞草研究所� said Twarynski, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Calgary. 害羞草研究所淚t was probably the best thing to be sent down to develop my game, to keep improving, try get a contract and be ready to go pro when the time comes.害羞草研究所�
Twarynski, a third-round draft pick of Philadelphia害羞草研究所檚 in 2016, was hoping to sign a pro deal coming out of Flyers害羞草研究所� camp and potentially begin the 2017-18 campaign with the American Hockey League害羞草研究所檚 Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
When that didn害羞草研究所檛 happen, Twarynski chose to treat it not as rejection but rather as motivation to raise his game to the next level.
Twarynski has responded with a team-leading 29 goals in 49 games this season, including 17 in the last 21 games.
害羞草研究所淚 could have sulked around for 10 games but that wouldn害羞草研究所檛 have gotten me anywhere,害羞草研究所� said Twarynski, who the Rockets acquired from Calgary prior to the 2017 trade deadline.
害羞草研究所淚t was now or never for me seriously, my career and livelihood were on the line, so to come in with a bad attitude, it could have been my last chance. The offense has been coming, the team is doing well, so I害羞草研究所檓 pretty happy with the way everything is going.害羞草研究所�
After 20 minutes the Rockets lead 3-0. PP KEL 1/1 PG 0/2. Shots 11-7 for KEL. Shots on Goal brought to you by Bekins Moving and Storage 害羞草研究所ince 1891! Carsen Twarynski extended the Rockets lead with his 2nd of the night and 17th of the year 馃殌馃悏
害羞草研究所� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
As one of three over-age players on Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 roster, Bruce Hamilton said much was expected from Twarynski this season.
The Rockets president and general manager hasn害羞草研究所檛 been disappointed.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 fighting for a pro contract and that in a nutshell is what it害羞草研究所檚 come down to,害羞草研究所� said Hamilton. 害羞草研究所淲hen we traded for Carsen, we wanted a big body, and I害羞草研究所檇 say overall, particularly with the scoring, he害羞草研究所檚 exceeded expectations. We still think he can have more of an impact physically.
害羞草研究所淏ut with our guys away at world juniors, Carsen really stepped up, he害羞草研究所檚 been a go-to guy for us and we害羞草研究所檝e been really happy,害羞草研究所� Hamilton added.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l be surprised if Philly doesn害羞草研究所檛 sign him.害羞草研究所�
The Flyers have until June to sign Twarynski to a pro contract or the Calgary native will be cast into the free agent market. It害羞草研究所檚 no surprise which story line Twarynski wants his career to follow.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 the best-case scenario for me, by far, to sign with the (Flyers). It害羞草研究所檚 a really good organization with a lot of good, young players right now, and I think it害羞草研究所檚 a really good fit for me. It害羞草研究所檚 definitely where I want to be and I害羞草研究所檓 going to do everything I can to try and get a contract.害羞草研究所�
In the meantime, Twarynski plans to enjoy the ride with his Kelowna Rockets whom he fully expects to be in the mix when the WHL playoffs open this spring.
害羞草研究所淚 think we害羞草研究所檙e a contender, we didn害羞草研究所檛 make any massive deals but that害羞草研究所檚 fine because we like our team, we have a good culture here and we害羞草研究所檙e confident in our abilities,害羞草研究所� Twarynski said. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e a team to be reckoned with, we feel like we match up well against any team in the league and we害羞草研究所檒l be able to make a push for a league title.害羞草研究所�
With 29 goals, Twarynski is on pace to score the most goals by a Rockets害羞草研究所� player since Rourke Chartier netted 48 during the 2014-15 season.
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