'It's Pretty Special': Karsen Dorwart Speaks After First Flyers Practice

Karsen Dorwart has had a whirlwind few days.

The 22-year-old center signed with the Philadelphia Flyers over the weekend, attended Monday night's game against the Nashville Predators, spent time undergoing medical testing, and finally, on Wednesday morning, hit the ice for his first NHL practice.

"It's pretty special," Dorwart said about the process. "It's kind of been a quick few days, but I'm just super excited. Everyone here has been great and made the transition for me really easy, so I'm just excited."

There's a lot to take in when jumping into the NHL, especially so late in the season, but once he was out there, everything clicked into place.

"That was probably the easiest part, just feeling some normalcy playing," he said. "It was a good day."

Dorwart, a two-way center out of Michigan State, had options when it came to choosing where to start his professional career. But it was the Flyers' commitment to him—and the opportunity they presented—that made Philadelphia the right choice.

"I did have some other options, but I think just the interest from the brass, from [Keith Jones and Danny Briere]—they were unbelievable with me all year. They showed a lot of interest, and I think one thing they had mentioned was opportunity up the middle. So for me, as a center, that was exciting," he explained.

That opportunity won't be handed to him, though, and he knows it.

"You've gotta work for everything you're gonna get, but it reminded me a lot when I first got to MSU, so it was exciting for me."

A Debut on the Horizon

Now that he's officially part of the team, the next big milestone is his NHL debut. The Flyers hit the road this weekend, with games in Montreal on Saturday and at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers next Wednesday. Could Dorwart be in the lineup for one of those?

"Yeah, that's what everyone keeps saying!" he said with a grin. "I've never been to Montreal before, and MSG would be speical too. I mean, anywhere you do it is gonna be a dream come true. It's all I've wanted to do since I was a little kid. I'm just very fortunate and blessed to be in the position I am."

His parents Gregg and Janelle, and sister Kalli will be flying to Montreal to watch him play.

Regardless of when it happens, one thing is certain: it will be a historic moment. Dorwart is set to become just the ninth player from Oregon to play in the NHL.

"Obviously not a lot of guys have done it," he said. "Hockey's not very popular out there. Hopefully it grows with the team in Seattle now, but it's just cool. I was blessed to have so many influential people that helped me during my time there and growing up, so they deserve all the credit in the world to help me get to the next point."

From Oregon to Philadelphia

Dorwart's journey to the NHL has taken him across the country, from the Pacific Northwest to California, Connecticut, South Dakota, Michigan, and now Philadelphia. 

"I lived in Oregon until I was 14, and then I billeted in San Jose when I played for the Junior Sharks for two years. I lived with [then-Jr. Sharks head coach] Curtis Brown and his family, and that was just an unbelievable experience. They were awesome for me," he recalled.

"After that, two years in Connecticut at boarding school; that was great. Then juniors [with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede] before heading up to MSU. It's kind of been all over, but so many great people helped me in all those spots and I'm very thankful for them."

Through all those moves, he admitted that he didn't have one specific team he cheered for (although he did say that both of his parents were Minnesota Wild fans), but noted Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon as a player he always looked up to.

"I liked him a lot," Dorwart said. "I watched him when he was in juniors [with the Halifax Mooseheads] when they played Portland in the Memorial Cup."

Settling In

Dorwart is still getting to know his new teammates, but he knows there are a few guys who can offer some advice on transitioning from college hockey to the NHL. Bobby Brink, who played for the University of Denver, and Cam York, who played for the University of Michigan, have both made that jump successfully, and Dorwart plans to lean on them when he gets the chance.

"Not a ton, to be honest," he admitted when asked if he'd talked with them yet. "I kind of left the guys alone the other game day, let them do their thing, and then yesterday was the off day and I was in here getting my medical stuff. I'm sure I'll definitely pick their brain for a bit just to get any advice I can."

One topic that hasn't come up yet? His UMich-Michigan State rivalry with York.

"Yeah, we haven't talked about that yet, but I'm sure it'll come up," he said with a laugh.

One unexpected topic that did come up, though, was his chess-playing ability. Dorwart's Michigan State bio has him self-described as "sneaky good" at chess, and that tidbit has followed him to Philadelphia, much to his amusement.

"If I knew that was gonna come up as much as it has, I probably wouldn't have put it!" he said, clearly a little flustered but taking it in stride. "I used to be good, but I'm not good anymore."

What's Next?

With his first practice behind him, Dorwart's focus now shifts to what's ahead. His first NHL game is looming, and whether it happens in Montreal or New York, it's clear that he's ready for the challenge.

He describes himself as a "two-way center," someone who prides himself on responsibility at both ends of the ice. When Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw was asked about his early evaluations on Dorwart, he had nothing but positive things to say.

"The first time I met him, I asked him, 'What's your best asset?'" Shaw said. "He said his head, his brain; he really thinks the game well. That's a great answer for me. I like guys that are aware on the ice, but I was impressed with how he got around today. It's not easy on your first day, a lot of nerves out there, but he seems like a really centered and focused and humble young man.

"It's always different from practice to game, and there'll probably be some nerves again there for them, but he seems like a really good young man, a real high-character type of guy…He'll probably play a little bit of everything…We'll talk and sort it out and put him in the best situation possible to show us what he can do."

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