For Mikhail Vorobyev, the surprise of Flyers camp, earning a third-line spot a ‘dream come true’

LAS VEGAS – The surprise of the Flyers' training camp?

Hello, Mikhail Vorobyev.

Known as "Misha," the unassuming 21-year-old Russian was the Flyers' leading preseason scorer with seven points, and he played so well that he not only earned a roster spot but, based on Wednesday's practice, he will center James van Riemsdyk and Wayne Simmonds when the team's season opens Thursday in Las Vegas.

"He trained with me for most of the summer, and I told everyone this kid is going to surprise some people," defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said after practice. "He's so highly skilled and such a good passer. I think he's going to fit in fine."

Vorobyev, a fourth-round selection in the 2015 draft, was defensively sound in the preseason, and he showed enough offensive skills that he will start the season on the second power-play unit.

"He played pretty good at the start, and then he elevated his game as camp went on," captain Claude Giroux said. "He showed how smart he is with the puck, and defensively, too. He makes a lot of plays that not a lot of players make. It's pretty impressive how he came to camp and earned that spot."

When Giroux played with him in the preseason, he said the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Vorobyev "made some passes that I was pretty surprised and wasn't ready for. That vision of his is pretty impressive."

Vorobyev beat out Jordan Weal and Scott Laughton for the third-line center spot. (You could make an argument that the rookie's unit is the Flyers' second-best line.)

"It was a dream come true," Vorobyev, whose English is improving each day, said when asked how it felt when general manager Ron Hextall told him he had won a roster spot. "Everybody wants to play in the NHL because it's the best league in the world."

He developed a quick chemistry with his teammates.

"They are all very smart players and it worked out very well," said Vorobyev, who had 29 points in 58 games with the AHL's Phantoms last season. "We just get along and that makes things easier."

Coach Dave Hakstol called Vorobyev a "good surprise, for sure. He's a young guy who came in and did exactly what we challenge young guys to do – come in and earn a job. He did that from Day 1. He's been a complete player, 200 feet up and down the rink, and he's been good in all three zones. It's a credit to him what he's done the last three weeks, and that's why he's here."

Based on Wednesday's practice, here is how the Flyers' lineup will look for Thursday's opener against the defending Western Conference champions: