VOORHEES, N.J. — Anthony Salinitri doesn’t have any surefire expectations of jumping right from the NHL draft onto the Flyers' roster this fall.
He was the Flyers' sixth-round pick (172nd overall) this past June.
You can’t blame the 18-year-old forward if he sets his sights high given the fact he comes into Flyers rookie camp having played with highly-regarded Flyers prospect Travis Konecny, who has a chance to make the roster.
When Ottawa traded Konecny to Sarnia last season — the club did so figuring Konecny would make the jump to the NHL this season — the two played together on the same line.
“At the beginning of the season I was playing wing, and then when Travis got the trade over I played center with him,” Salinitri said.
Salinitri (center) played with Konecny (right wing) Wednesday night as the Flyers' prospects met the Islanders' rookies in New York.
Connor Bunnaman, the Flyers’ fourth-round pick from this past summer’s draft, was at left wing.
Salinitri ended up scoring a goal assisted by Konecny.
“Me and Travis played together a lot at Sarnia and built up chemistry,” Salinitri said. “It definitely makes it a lot easier when you know how he plays.”
Salinitri, whose jersey number was changed in camp to No. 85 this week, said he’s learned a lot from being with Konecny last spring.
“I grew up watching him, too, because he played for Elgin and I played with Windsor,” Salinitri said. “He was a guy we always had an eye on when we went to the rink. You kind of looked up [to him] because he worked hard and was a skill guy.
“He did it all. When I got the chance to play against him, it was a real eye opener for me to see how talented he was. Something for me to strive for. Playing with him was even better.”
What did he learn as a teammate?
“Just how much effort Travis puts into every drill and what he takes out of it,” Salinitri said. “He works hard to be as good as he is and that is why he has been successful over the past year.”
The two hung out together at the club’s developmental camp in July. Salinitri hoped to make an impression Wednesday.
“I've got to prove I was a good pick for them because I was a later pick,” he said. “I can turn a lot of heads with my speed and skill.
“I have a good opportunity being with Travis, who is trying to make the team this year. I have to do things to help myself out but also try to help him out as well.”
Rick Pracey scouted Salinitri last year. The two met for lunch in Windsor last season. Salinitri didn’t think much more about the meeting heading into the draft.
He’s tad undersized at 5-foot-10, 173 pounds.
“I didn’t know it was going to happen going into the draft,” he said. “It was very uncertain where I was going and when I was going.”
Like many late-round selections, Salinitri wasn’t at the draft in Buffalo. He was home in Windsor, Ontario, watching the second day of the draft unfold on television.
“I was at home with my family watching on Sportsnet, so it was definitely exciting to be called by the Flyers,” he said.
One of the reasons the Flyers chose him, according to assistant GM and scouting director Chris Pryor, was his ability to play multiple positions.
He began his career with Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL — a very deep squad.
“It was asked of me to move around,” Salinitri said. “I had to be able to play different positions if I wanted to get into the lineup.
“I started really playing wing and I got used to it and then I got bumped back to center a few times, so I’m able to play both positions.”
For now, the Flyers have him slated as a future center. Although he's small, he is quick on the ice.
“My strength is my speed and ability to create offense, but also be responsible for my own zone,” he said. “Things I have to work on? Get stronger, faster.
“To play at the next level, put on some weight. You got to be fast and be able to read the game quicker. Be mentally smart and mentally stronger. It’s a long process.”