Travis Sanheim, a defenseman for the Flyers, recently won his second Barry Ashbee Trophy as the team’s leading blueliner. After a disappointing year in the previous campaign, he bounced back in the 2023-24 season and arguably had the best overall season of his NHL career to date.

Sanheim, like many players, kicked off his successful season by arriving at training camp in peak physical condition. After gaining muscle over the previous summer, he excelled in the incredibly intense training camp, a program that head coach John Tortorella considers crucial for a high-performing season.

“Fitness-wise, he was one of the best conditioned players to show up and the way he performed in preseason, it got us really excited,” remembered Danny Briere, the recalled General Manager of the Flyers.

Sanheim reached new personal bests for a single season in the 2023-24 season, achieving 10 goals, 34 assists, and 44 points. His average ice time per game, 23:48, was the highest among all Flyers players. Remarkably, in the first two months of the season, only Washington Capitals’ defenseman John Carlson had a higher average ice time per game (26:01) than Sanheim’s 25:55, among all NHL position players.

Throughout his NHL career, Sanheim has alternated between playing left and right defense, though he has predominantly played on the left side in recent years. However, this trend changed in the 2023-24 season. Last season, Sanheim primarily played on the right side, allowing Cam York, a 2019 first-round pick, to play on the left where he is significantly more at ease.

In the past year, the coach-player relationship between Sanheim and head coach John Tortorella has notably improved with a heightened level of mutual trust. Tortorella himself admitted that their first season in 2022-23 had its challenges. However, after open and candid conversations, they were able to develop a better understanding of each other’s needs, strengthening their relationship.

“Tortorella stated early last October that he desired a higher standard. He clarified that Sanny was not resisting this, in fact, he was making efforts to reach it. However, it was somewhat of a challenge,”

Sanheim contributed, “It wasn’t because he disliked me or we couldn’t get along, we just needed to understand each other better.”

Sanheim dismissed trade rumors last summer as he began the first season of his multi-year extension. He improved his communication with the head coach and devoted all his attention to preparing for the season.

Although the season’s end was a disappointment for everyone, the results were still gratifying for the team.

“Every day we came to the rink was a joy, we loved being part of the group and we didn’t want it to end. It’s a positive experience that we can carry with us into the future,” said Sanheim.

Although the way the season ended for the team was a disappointment for everyone, the results were satisfying.

“Sanheim expressed, “Our fondness for this group is immense and we never wanted it to finish. Every day we arrived at the rink was filled with joy and love. I believe this is beneficial and is something we can carry into the future.”

Reflecting on last season’s events during Exit Day, Sanheim expressed that he believed there had been significant overall progress. This was particularly evident in the development of his partnership with York.

“Yorkie and I were really invested in that. We hoped to carry a significant load, to have a major role. Naturally, the outcome was disappointing. However, overall, I’m quite content with how Yorkie and I performed, even towards the end,” said Sanheim.

Saheim, who is currently 28 years old and will turn 29 on March 29, 2025, is on track to reach his 500th NHL game early in the 2024-25 season. He has currently played 497 games. It’s been a decade since the Elkhorn, Manitoba native was picked 17th overall by the Flyers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia.

“Reflecting on it, I think it was quite amazing that I was drafted right here in Philly by the team I was set to play for,” Sanheim reminisced last year while appearing on the Flyers Daily podcast. “Not many players have that experience, so it’s certainly something I’ve always cherished and my family greatly appreciates.”

Over the last decade, much has changed for Sanheim.

He has evolved on the ice from a teenager transitioning from a junior defenseman for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen to a calm, veteran leader on the Flyers’ NHL blueline. In the locker room, he’s formed a deep bond with a generation of teammates he grew up with within the Flyers system, hoping to maintain these friendships for life, regardless of where their individual hockey careers lead them. His bond with Travis Konecny is particularly notable, as the two are inseparable. Away from hockey, Sanheim recently tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Alex, in Manitoba.

With a career-best season behind him and seven years left on his contract, Sanheim enjoys a fairly solid job security for the near future. Instead of dwelling on a previous disappointing season, he can now concentrate on surpassing his achievements of 2023-24.

For the Flyers’ rebuilding effort to progress towards making the team a credible playoff contender, Sanheim, who is currently in the peak of his NHL career, must play a major role.